Our Human Resources Department is focused on ALDI’s most valuable asset: our people. With teams including Administration, Employee Communications, Payroll & Benefits, Human Resource Information Systems, Legal, Risk & Security, Recruitment and Training & Development, HR makes sure that ALDI continues to employ talented and motivated people who are focused on preserving the supportive culture we're known for.

In this role, the Corporate Counsel I - HR Compliance, will be responsible for researching and tracking HR and employment-related laws, developing related Company policies and/or revising policies as needed, anticipating and mitigating compliance risk, counseling internal clients, responding to administrative agency charges, and assisting with labor relations. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience researching and tracking legal updates in a variety of jurisdictions, drafting policies and procedures, and advising internal clients on applicable laws and regulations.

Position Type: Full-Time
Starting Salary: $127,500
Salary Increases: Year 2 - $135,000 | Year 3 - $142,500
Work Location: Naperville, IL
This role is eligible to participate in ALDI’s Hybrid Work Program, which requires work in-office at least 2 days per month.

Duties and Responsibilities: 
Must be able to perform duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Communicates effectively and informs direct leader of issues, status, and results of assigned tasks.
• Researches, analyzes, and keeps current on employment and HR-related legal issues and laws, legislation, regulations, and court decisions.
• Evaluates and analyzes legal cases and reports findings to direct leader; researches unique legal issues impacting the organization by identifying applicable statutes, judicial decisions, and codes; responds to legal inquiries from multiple areas of the business where appropriate. 
• Researches and advises management on emerging legislative and regulatory changes affecting relevant areas of the business. 
• Communicates unique legal issues impacting the organization by identifying applicable statutes, judicial decisions and codes.
• Develops, drafts, and assists in implementing policies and procedures for a variety of HR and employment-related issues.
• Anticipates and mitigates potential compliance issues as they pertain to employment matters.
• Develops strategies to reduce potential areas of risk and counsels the business accordingly.
• Assists in designing, implementing, and driving process improvements and infrastructure solutions to enhance the department’s ability to assist the Company and function efficiently.
• Works proactively and reliably under tight timeframes at the direction of the direct leader and/or independently.
• Assists as a liaison for various areas of National Services; works strategically to provide guidance to internal team members and relevant areas of the business.
• Performs pre-litigation work to minimize risks and potential liability.
• Assists in identifying best practices in relation to legal and compliance processes and programs.
• Ensures compliance with legal documentation and Company policies.
• Partners and liaises with outside counsel as needed and manages relevant external consultants.
• Forms collaborative relationships with leaders and various areas of the business to execute strategies and efforts to support the growth/strategic objectives of the Company.
• Assists with preparation and analysis of data to identify legal exposures and risks.
• Drafts responses to administrative agency charges, attorney correspondence, reports, and other litigation-related submissions.
• Assists on special projects, as requested.
• Recommends process improvements for area of responsibility.
• Works strategically to provide guidance to various ALDI departments and divisions on relevant matters. 
• Identifies proactive, cost-effective solutions that will eliminate and/or mitigate legal and business risks. 
• Manages multiple projects and initiatives with various deadlines. 
• Ensures effective implementation and communication of Legal programs, providing visibility of key milestones and progress. 
• Collaborates with team members and communicates relevant information to leadership.
• Upholds the security and confidentiality of documents and data within area of responsibility.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job-specific Competencies: 
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Consistently demonstrates the Mindsets, ALDI Acts Competencies and Professional Skills (M.A.P.) as outlined for the role.
• Gives attention to detail and follows instruction.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Effective time management; maximizes productivity.
• Prepares written materials to meet purpose and audience.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with internal and external parties.
• Knowledge of relevant United States laws and ability to assist in minimizing legal risk for the Company.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including creativity and ability to communicate information accurately and proficiently, while being concise and understandable to non-lawyers.
• Demonstrated success as a hard-working, high-integrity, well-organized and self-motivated team member who can manage and prioritize requests and oversee and improve complex business and legal processes.  
• Knowledge of how legal issues affect organizations and the ability to develop strategies to coordinate legal considerations to business objectives.
• Ability to anticipate legal risks as well as utilize excellent judgment and analytical skills.
• Ability to draft, implement, interpret and apply company policies and procedures.
• Ability to apply creative solutions. 
• Knowledge of retail industry standards and practices preferred. 

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• A minimum of 1 year of experience in a business environment required.  
• Experience in a law firm, corporate legal department and/or in-house legal counsel preferred.
• J.D. from an ABA accredited law school required. 
• Licensed to practice in Illinois (or immediate ability to become licensed) required.
• Overall broad knowledge of litigation and employment and labor law. 
• Or, a combination of education and experience providing equivalent knowledge. 

Physical Requirements:

• Work may be performed in an office, remote office or a combination of both where a computer and office equipment may be used as needed to perform duties.
• Regularly required to sit, reach, grasp, stand and move from one area to another.
• Constantly and repeatedly use keyboard/mouse.
• Occasionally required to push, pull, bend, lift and move up to 25 lbs.

Travel:

• Domestic travel required.
• Up to 10%.