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Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.35 bn.in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

The Engines US Labor & Employment attorney will be the primary legal advisor on all labor and employment matters as well as Environment Health and Safety (EHS) for all Engines US sites. The role will also involve the identification and proactive management of labor and employment risks at Engines US sites.

Job Responsibilities

• Represent and defend GKN Aerospace Engines in all aspects of employment-related litigation matters, including: Title VII, FEHA, and similar laws; affirmative action; disability access and accommodation; employee benefits; harassment and discrimination (including responding to US EEOC Claims); unfair labor practice charges; wage and hour claims; wrongful terminations; and reductions in force
• Engage in factual investigation, analyze complex legal and factual issues, conduct extensive, legal research, independently develop, recommend and present defense strategies on a wide range of lawsuits and disputes (including hotline investigations/whistleblowers)
• Respond to complaints and other pleadings, draft and file motions to compel arbitration in state and federal courts where Engines business are located, propound and respond to discovery requests, prepare and file motions, appear in court, and represent GKN Aerospace Engines at hearings, mediations, trials and arbitrations
• Prepare witnesses for deposition and trial
• Negotiate for the dismissal or resolution of cases at all stages in the litigation process
• Respond to attorney demand letters and agency matters, including government-initiated inquiries and audits
• Maintain knowledge of current and emerging laws, regulations and trends related to State employment and labor laws relevant to the US Engines sites.
• Report out to and train colleagues on proactive approaches to mitigating legal risk gleaned from litigation matters and facilitate GKN Aerospace Engines US’s sites ongoing compliance with applicable federal, state, and local labor and employment laws (FLSA, Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FEHA, OFCCP, etc.).
• Lead in management of outside counsel handling employment litigation.
• Assist HR in updates to the GKN Aerospace employee handbook
• Work with local HR to review termination and suspension decisions before issues results in litigation cases.
• Ensure discipline is consistent and avoid disparate treatment of protected classes.
• Assists with workers compensation litigation and interacts with the GKN Aerospace insurance carrier
• Provide legal advice to EHS on best practices and manage any legal or regulatory proceedings in this area.

Essential

Job Qualifications

• Licensed attorney with 10-plus years experience in California litigation (state and federal court).
• Admission to practice in the State of California is required.
• Internal counsel needs to review labor and employment laws for all other states where Engines business is located as well.
• Employment law and litigation experience at a law firm or government agency. Experience defending PAGA actions and collective actions a plus
• Experience defending or prosecuting actions before the EEOC
• Experience in employment defense litigation, including initial case assessment, strategy development, propounding and responding to discovery, drafting motions, mediation, arbitration, and court trials.
• Experience in conducting internal investigations
• Track record of working efficiently with a client-service focus in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Reduce litigation risks by identifying risk and provide preventative law measures
• Work with Engines local HR to review terminations and suspension decisions before issues result in litigation cases. Also provide guidance to local HR with updates to the employee handbook and provide legal update training for our local HR and leaders
• Assists with workers compensation litigation and interacts with our workers compensation insurance carrier
• Possess an entrepreneurial mindset and take active ownership of areas of responsibility. Capable of working both autonomously and collaboratively, effective at juggling and prioritizing multiple competing tasks in a fast-paced, challenging environment
• A quick and flexible learner: intellectually curious, open-minded, adaptable, comfortable with ambiguity and risk, and excited by dynamic change
• Adept at and comfortable making complex cost/benefit assessments
• Inspire trust, forge relationships quickly, and earn the confidence and cooperation of your business partners. High standards, impeccable integrity and ethics, unquestionable good judgment, well honed analytical skills
• Strong oral and written communications skills
• Ability and desire to learn and expand as a well-rounded in-house legal advisor including review of and advice on contracts.
• Person specification (continued)

Desirable

• In house experience at either manufacturing or aerospace organizations

We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?

A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.

We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.

We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.