POSITION SUMMARY
In this role, Viking’s VP, Employment Counsel will provide pragmatic advice on a wide range of employment law issues, including employee relations, performance management, leaves of absence and accommodations, wage and hour, benefits and policy compliance. This person will need to be curious to learn more about Viking’s business and its challenges. You’ll need to understand the big picture strategy and speak with candor when working with cross-functional teams and external partners to drive business solutions in accordance with the law.
This position is an in-office position. We are currently working a hybrid schedule, three days per week in the office and two days remotely. This hybrid schedule is subject to change based on the business needs.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop Viking’s employment law function within the United States as a strategic adviser, building engagement with the Human Resources team and business partners.
- Manage all formal and informal employment related claims and litigation.
- Guide and advise on the development and implementation of employment policies and practices to ensure best practices and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Draft and review employment-related agreements and policies, including employee handbooks and template agreements.
- Support and collaborate with cross-functional business partners on complex legal matters and special projects.
KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS
- J.D. from an accredited law school.
- Licensed to practice law and in good standing in a U.S. jurisdiction.
- Minimum of 5 years of employment law experience at a law firm or in-house required; a combination of law firm and in-house experience strongly preferred.
- High degree of organizational and time management skills, with a proven ability to manage multiple, complex projects when necessary.
- A sound understanding of all aspects of employment law and an ability to apply that knowledge pragmatically in a commercial environment and make clear recommendations.
- Excellent communication, collaboration and interpersonal skills, with the ability to clearly articulate legal concepts to variety of audiences.
- Experience managing external legal counsel.
- Good awareness of the role of Legal in business decisions and the ability to actively contribute in the taking of those decisions.
- Confidence and technical ability to be able to deal with issues outside your experience and the ability to learn quickly on the job.
WHAT WE OFFER YOU
- Highly competitive compensation plan
- Base Salary Range: $250,000-300,000 (determined by several factors, such as specific experience related to responsibilities) + bonus/benefits
- Full benefits including medical, dental, vision and life and disability insurance at a highly subsidized rate (some plans are fully paid by Viking)
- 401(k) plan with company match
- After 90 days of employment, employees accrue up to 15 days of vacation time and 2 weeks of sick time per year
- Opportunity to take a free and/or discounted cruise
- Highly subsidized gym membership
- Discounts on theatres, theme parks, movie tickets, travel discounts through IATA membership and too many more discounts to name
- Pride and excitement of joining an award-winning team, previously named #1 in ocean, #1 in river and #1 in customer service
About Viking
Viking was founded in 1997 with the vision that travel could be more destination focused and culturally immersive. In 2000, the company purchased Europe’s KD River Cruises in order to grow its fleet, to leverage 40 years of river cruising experience and to acquire rights to prime docking locations in key European cities.
The company expanded into the American market in 2000, establishing a sales and marketing office in Los Angeles, California. Since then, Viking has grown to be the leading small ship travel company, offering river, ocean and expedition voyages on all seven continents. With an operational office in Basel, Switzerland, Viking provides destination-focused itineraries for curious travelers. Each journey includes a shore excursion in every port and an onboard and onshore enrichment program that provides deep immersion in the destination through performances of music and art, cooking demonstrations, informative port talks and carefully selected guest lecturers.
With 250 awards to its name, the company currently operates a fleet of state-of-the-art ships that have received numerous accolades since their launch from industry experts and travelers alike. For the second year in a row, Viking was voted the #1 River Line and the #1 Ocean Line by Condé Nast Traveler in the publication’s 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards. Viking was also named #1 for both Rivers and Oceans by Travel + Leisure in the 2022 World’s Best Awards making it the only cruise line to reach the top of its categories in both publications in the same year.
Viking marked its 25th anniversary in 2022; during this milestone year, Viking welcomed two new identical expedition ships, as well as two new, identical ocean ships, new Viking Longships® in Europe and new purpose-built vessels for the Nile, Mekong and Mississippi rivers.
