Senior Counsel - Employment Law

About the Department

The Legal department is comprised of our Legal and Patents functions. We depend on our legal team to help drive growth and maintain the highest level of standards and practices across all of our legal efforts. It’s a tall order, which is why we only hire those who thrive on protecting the interests of our patients, employees and business, all while creating and implementing efficient and innovative solutions. As part of the team, you’ll work with employees across the organization to oversee legal matters and provide guidance on strategies that drive business and policy priorities and shape the reputation of Novo Nordisk Inc. (NNI). At Novo Nordisk, your skills, dedication and ambition will help us change lives for the better. In exchange, we’ll offer you an opportunity to work with extraordinary talent and benefit from a range of possibilities for professional and personal development. Are you ready to realize your potential?

The Position

Provide legal counsel to global healthcare company on employment law matters. Responsible for providing day-to-day labor and employment law counselling and advice.

Relationships

Reports to the Managing Assistant General Counsel - Employment Law, which sits in the broader Litigation, Employment and Risk Management team. Acts as Senior Counsel directly supporting a mix of customer group(s) within the North American organizations and interacting with headquarters and other affiliates as required. Significant stakeholder engagement with EEO and Compliance Investigators, Employee Relations, Human Resources Business Partners, DEI&B and Culture, Total Rewards, Talent Acquisition, HR Operations, Corporate Communications, as well as line of business leaders. May interact with government agencies, law firms, trade organizations and other external agencies.

Essential Functions

• Provides solutions-oriented employment law advice and counselling to customer group(s) on the full spectrum of employment issues
• Proactively prevents or minimizes legal risk to the Company and helps drive legal strategy to align and achieve strategic goals of the business and the legal department
• Represents the Company in labor and employment matters through the demand stage
• Partners with the litigation team to advise on employment-related litigation and state or federal agency charges
• Retains, manages and assists outside counsel for advice and counsel, audits, or project matters as needed
• Reviews Company policies to ensure compliance with federal, state and local labor and employment laws
• Supports employment law needs for company mergers and acquisitions activities, including due diligence and integration
• Keeps informed of new laws, regulations and industry trends affecting the company and assists with development of policies, training and presentations to HR and line of business areas as needed
• Performs other duties as assigned by senior management.

Physical Requirements

0-10% overnight travel required. This position is in Plainsboro, NJ and required to work onsite 5 days a week.

Qualifications

• A J.D. with 7+ years legal experience in employment law counselling and litigation required. In-house experience or secondment strongly preferred
• State Bar admission required
• Experience within the healthcare/pharmaceutical industry preferred
• Ability to effectively collaborate with other functional support groups and line of business
• Demonstrated success managing projects to completion on time and with appropriate stakeholder input
• Effective time management and communication skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with minimal oversight
• Strong problem-solving and change leadership skills - demonstrates and exercises creativity and initiative
• Working knowledge and experience advising on ERISA defined benefit plans and benefits law issues a plus
• Prior experience working on M&A including due diligence and/or integration a plus
• Desire and willingness to invest in personal development including learning new or developing areas of the law

The base compensation range for this position is $152K to $267K. Base compensation is determined based on a number of factors. This position is also eligible for a company bonus based on individual and company performance. Novo Nordisk offers long-term incentive compensation and or company vehicles depending on the position's level or other company factors. 

Employees are also eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs including medical, dental and vision coverage; life insurance; disability insurance; 401(k) savings plan; flexible spending accounts; employee assistance program; tuition reimbursement program; and voluntary benefits such as group legal, critical illness, identity theft protection, pet insurance and auto/home insurance. The Company also offers time off pursuant to its sick time policy, flex-able vacation policy, and parental leave policy.

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk, we're not chasing quick fixes – we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible, treating and defeating diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.

Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.

If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at View phone number on us.fitly.work. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.