Vice President & Corporate Counsel – Employment

The Marriott International Law Department services the Company's lodging business. The EMEA office of the Law Department provides legal services to support the development and lodging operations of all Marriott-branded lodging products in Europe, Middle East & Africa.

JOB SUMMARY

This position will be located in Marriott International's office in London or Eschborn and will report to the Chief Legal Officer - EMEA. The role will have one direct report, the Senior Director – Legal, Employment – EMEA.

The Vice President & Corporate Counsel - Employment provides legal advice and counsel regarding employment issues, policies, and programs to Human Resources professionals and line managers within the Company’s businesses across EMEA. The individual in this position will be required to make judgment calls and policy decisions regarding the Company’s positions and provide feedback and guidance accordingly.

EXPECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

The primary responsibilities of this attorney will be, in conjunction with the Senior Director – Legal, Employment – EMEA:

• Advising human resources departments and operating business managers on day-to-day employment legal concerns and consequences.
• Participating in the development of legally sound policies and programs in all areas of labor and employment law, including salary matters, discipline, counselling and termination, all aspects of laws regarding discrimination, wrongful and unfair termination, reductions-in-force, Trade Union/Works Council organizing efforts, drug testing issues, etc.
• Overseeing regular reviews of employee Handbooks, contracts of employment and policies to ensure legal compliance at all times.
• Maintaining working knowledge of company global and continent policies, national and/or regional legislation, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Advising the human resources department on all aspects of the Company’s relationship with Works Councils and/or Trade Unions across EMEA.
• Advising on the implementation of national and international Directives, Regulations and laws including ESG reporting and Pay Transparency requirements.
• Conducting a risk-assessment of complaints and developing legally sound strategies for the Company’s defense of legal actions, and where appropriate responding to attorney letters, complaints or claims involving labor & employment concerns.
• Working with Risk Management on managing outside counsel in handling individual claimant employment litigation covered by Employment Practices Liability Insurance or managing outside counsel in non-insured individual claimant claims.
• Advising human resources departments and operating business managers on pending changes in employment and labor-related laws, and identifying training needs for the business.
• Reviewing whistleblowing cases received through the company’s internal system and advising on HR Compliance issues.
• Assisting in achieving strategic goals by identifying legal consequences and issues associated with new projects & deployments and plans, and recommending appropriate courses of action to achieve business objectives while limiting liability and risk.
• Advising senior leaders, including the EMEA Executive team, on employment law issues, and making recommendations on the company’s approach using a risk-based model.
• Educating human resources managers, operating business managers and others on trends and legal actions which may affect the workplace through written materials or training seminars.
• Advising on immigration issues, including sponsorship and license matters, across EMEA. Ensuring legal compliance with immigration requirements.
• Participating in internal committees as appropriate, including Data Privacy committees and Marriott’s Human Rights Council.
• Partnering with attorneys in the department to address Company-wide employment issues including relating to hotel management agreements, operational and asset management issues and Compliance/Data Privacy.
• Partnering with the PR & Communications team on matters which have a PR exposure risk for the company, and working in partnership with PR and the Social Affairs teams to respond to human rights related enquiries from media, and other external organisations.

CANDIDATE PROFILE - Experience/ Skills/ Knowledge

• Minimum of eight years substantive and applicable legal experience in a well-regarded law firm or multi-national corporate environment (in house), with an emphasis on labour & employment law.
• Must be fluent in English and have an excellent academic record (both undergraduate and law school).
• Active Bar membership or practicing certificate in the UK, US or a major European jurisdiction (preferably but not exclusively Germany).
• Broad background in providing advice and counsel to human resources and operating business managers in complex labour & employment related matters.
• Experience in liaising with government and/or labor and employment agencies which maintain jurisdiction over labour & employment related legal matters.
• Experience with leading-edge employment and labour-related policies, programs and systems, and up-to-date knowledge of labour & employment issues and case law.
• Ability to identify opportunities for improvement and to facilitate the implementation of creative solutions, including to streamline processes.
• Ability to expeditiously identify and analyze issues and provide legally sound recommendations consistent with good business practices and reason.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple competing priorities.
• Experience of managing individuals and developing team and individual goals in line with the Company’s objectives.
• Strong interpersonal skills, and ability to interact effectively and work diplomatically with individuals at all levels.
• Excellent conflict management skills, and ability to influence without coercion.
• Ability to take ownership of and effectively resolve problems.
• Fluency in another European language in addition to English preferred.

Marriott International is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive, people-first culture. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, such as disability and veteran status, or any other basis covered under applicable law.