When our square shaped burgers made their first sizzle on the scene more than 50 years ago, people knew our approach wasn’t like any other. Same goes for the way we support our employees. Our culture of openness, flexibility, and inclusiveness allows everybody to flourish in their own way. If you’re looking for a career where you can be part of the action as we continue to grow our iconic brand – We got you! 

The Senior Legal Counsel – Employment leads the Company’s employment law function. This role will manage a wide range of legal matters, including employment disputes and litigation, wage and hour or other employment-related class actions, agency charges, restructurings, joint-employer issues, and benefits and compensation matters. This role will also provide strategic advice and counsel to the Human Resources department, Operations, and business leaders throughout the organization. This role has people management responsibility for two employment lawyers and one employment paralegal and has budget responsibility for the employment law function at the Company.

• Employment Law Compliance: Responsible for the Company’s employment law function, including advising on federal and state employment or labor laws on a wide variety of issues, including discrimination, harassment, and retaliation laws, joint-employer issues, wage and hour matters, employee relations issues, restructuring/severance, and benefits and compensation matters, and hiring/onboarding.
• Employment Litigation and Dispute Resolution: Oversee all phases of employment-related legal disputes while mitigating the financial or reputation impact on the Company. Manage claims involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and/or wrongful termination and oversee the Company’s response to EEOC, DOL, ICE or state agency charges.
• Legal Advisor: Senior legal advisor to HR, including HR sub-functions like Total Rewards, Talent Acquisition, and Talent Management, and Operations, including Company-operated restaurants and franchisee-related employment law matters.
• Policy Development and Training: Advise on employee or HR policies and procedures to ensure compliance with legal requirements. Develop and deliver training programs for important employment and labor topics to drive understanding and compliance throughout the organization.
• Labor Law: Advise on strategies to maintain strong employee relations and to effectively respond to organizing activities as appropriate.
• Actively participate in Legal department initiatives and provide leadership within the department, including as a member of the Legal Leadership Team.

• J.D. with 6-9 years of experience advising clients, with significant experience in employment and labor law and litigation.
• Ability to manage numerous projects simultaneously and to produce a large volume of high-quality work.
• Ability to manage outside counsel, solve complex problems under deadlines and maintain excellent interpersonal communications with client groups.
• Ability to manage a team efficiently and effectively.

Expected Work Location (In Office): It is expected that you will primarily perform work at the Wendy's Restaurant Support Center (RSC) (1 Dave Thomas Blvd, Dublin, OH 43017), or at other location(s) as designated by the Company. You are required to work in the office at least 4 days a week. Changes to work location arrangements are subject to managerial approval and business needs. #LI-Onsite 

Wendy’s was built on the premise, "Quality is our Recipe®," which remains the guidepost of the Wendy's system. Today, Wendy's and its franchisees employ hundreds of thousands of people across more than 7,000 restaurants worldwide with a vision of becoming the world's most thriving and beloved restaurant brand. 

The base pay range for this position is listed below. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and budget for the open position and also may vary depending on the candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, among other relevant factors. This range does not include an estimated value for any benefits, bonus, or other incentives that may be applicable based on position. The target annual bonus for this role is 20% of annualized base salary, based on actual company and personal performance. 

Our square burgers make us different and so do our benefits! Our restaurant support roles are eligible for a wide array of benefits, including things such as parental leave, free EAP sessions, company 401k match and other great offerings. For more details about our benefits, including an overview of eligibility and terms for certain benefits, please visit our benefits website, www.wendysbenefits.com. 

NOTE: Wendy’s benefits, bonus, and other incentives are governed by the applicable legal plans and policies and, where appropriate, may be subject to Board approval an individual award agreement terms. Those documents supersede all other information regarding Wendy’s benefits, bonus, and other incentives. Wendy’s retains the right to amend or terminate its plans and policies at its sole discretion, in accordance with applicable plans, policies and laws.