Senior Employment Counsel

Who we are

We’re a global, midsize CRO that pushes boundaries, innovates and invents because the path to a cure for the world’s most persistent diseases is not paved by those who play it safe. It is built by those who take pioneering, creative approaches and implement them with quality and excellence.

We are Worldwide Clinical Trials, and we are a global team of over 3,500+ experts, bright thinkers, dreamers and doers and, together, we are changing the way the world experiences CROs – in the best possible way.

Our mission is to work with passion and purpose every day to improve lives and we are looking for others who value this same pursuit.

Why Worldwide

We believe everyone plays an important role in making a world of difference for patients and their caregivers. From our hands-on, accessible leaders, to our cohesive and supportive teams, we are committed to enabling professionals from all backgrounds and experiences to succeed. We prioritize cultivating a diverse and inclusive environment that continues to promote collaboration and creativity. We are proud to be a workplace where people thrive by being themselves and are inspired to do their best work every day. Join us!

SUMMARY:  The Senior Employment Counsel will serve as a strategic legal advisor to the organization on all aspects of global employment and labor law. This role supports a geographically diverse workforce in a highly regulated clinical research environment and partners closely with Human Resources, Legal, and business leaders to manage risk, ensure legal compliance, and enable business objectives. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in U.S. and international employment law, strong judgment, and experience advising in a fast-paced, global organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Employment & Labor Law Advisory

• Provide legal counsel on a wide range of employment matters, including hiring, onboarding, compensation, benefits, performance management, discipline, terminations, reductions in force, and restructurings.

• Advise on global employment law issues across multiple jurisdictions, including works councils, collective bargaining, and local labor requirements.

• Interpret and apply employment laws and regulations in the context of clinical research operations, including workforce mobility, investigator relationships, and country-specific staffing models.

Policy Development & Compliance

• Draft, review, and update global and regional employment policies, handbooks, and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable laws and internal standards.

• Partner with HR and Legal to support adherence to employment-related regulatory requirements, including data privacy (e.g., GDPR), whistleblower protections, and anti-harassment obligations.

• Support internal audits, investigations, and compliance initiatives related to employment practices.

Litigation & Risk Management

• Manage employment-related disputes, claims, and litigation, including coordination with external counsel.

• Assess employment law risk and develop practical mitigation strategies aligned with business needs.

• Provide guidance on dispute resolution, settlements, and government agency inquiries.

Strategic & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to HR leadership and senior management on complex and sensitive employment issues.

• Support mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and integrations from an employment law perspective.

• Contribute to enterprise-wide initiatives impacting the workforce, including organizational changes, global mobility, and evolving workforce models.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Strategic thinking and sound legal judgment

• Ability to manage complexity across jurisdictions

• Strong collaboration and influencing skills

• High level of integrity and discretion

• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, global environment

REQUIREMENTS:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.

• 8+ years of employment and labor law experience, including in-house experience at a multinational organization or a law firm advising global clients.

• Strong knowledge of U.S. employment law and experience advising on international employment matters.

• Demonstrated ability to provide practical, business-focused legal advice in a regulated environment.

• Excellent communication, drafting, and interpersonal skills.

Preferred

• Experience in the life sciences, healthcare, pharmaceutical, biotech, or clinical research industry.

• Familiarity with global CRO operating models and regulatory environments.

• Experience supporting large, distributed, and multicultural workforces.

• Prior experience leading or mentoring junior attorneys or legal professionals.

We love knowing that someone is going to have a better life because of the work we do. 

To view our other roles, check out our careers page at Discover a world of difference at Worldwide! For more information on Worldwide, visit www.Worldwide.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.