Etsy

Director, Assistant General Counsel, Employment

Etsy$186K — $242K *
Legal & Accounting
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of employment law experience for global companies; EU experience required, with additional jurisdictions as a plus.
  • JD with admission to a state bar (NY or CA); eligibility to work in-house in New York and preferred admission in Ireland.
  • Ability to independently manage projects from conception to completion with limited support.
  • Experience as a primary client contact for investigations, regulatory interactions, and training delivery.
  • Outstanding verbal and written communication skills for various audiences, without legal jargon.
  • Comfortable with technology, especially emerging AI tools; some employment litigation experience, including e-discovery.
  • Business-first approach balancing legal risk with strategic considerations.

Responsibilities

  • Advise on employment-related legal strategies across various contexts including hiring and separation agreements.
  • Oversee internal investigations and employment litigation, managing responses and legal compliance issues globally.
  • Advise on disciplinary matters and grievance procedures, including Data Subject Access Requests under GDPR.
  • Monitor trends in labor law and update processes and policies accordingly for Etsy.
  • Collaborate with outside counsel selectively, primarily operating independently in most jurisdictions.
  • Support Legal team projects and engage collaboratively with colleagues across the organization.
  • Adapt to new responsibilities as the job evolves within the context of legal needs.

Benefits

  • Equity package eligibility as part of compensation.
  • Annual performance bonus included in total rewards.
  • Work-life balance supported in a hybrid role with required in-office days.
  • Comprehensive benefits that cater to you and your family.
Full Job Description

Salary Range:

$186,000.00 - $242,000.00

What's the Role?

Etsy is seeking a business-savvy employment lawyer with a people-first approach to join its Legal team. This is an opportunity to provide innovative legal advice to a global public tech company with a distinctive mission.

This is a full-time hybrid role based in Brooklyn, NY, with required in-office days. This role reports to Etsys Director, Assistant General Counsel, Employment. In addition to salary, you will also be eligible for an equity package, an annual performance bonus, and our that support you and your family as part of your total rewards package at Etsy.

This role requires your presence in Etsys Brooklyn Office once or twice per week depending on your proximity to the office. Candidates living within commutable distance of Etsys Brooklyn Office Hub may be the first to be considered. Learn more details about our work modes and workplace safety policies.


Whats this team like at Etsy?

Our Legal Team provides timely and business-savvy legal advice. We support teams that design products, we draft contracts and policies, we advise engineers and leadership, advocate externally, and handle disputes to protect Etsy and our users.


What does the day-to-day look like?

  • Advise and execute on a variety of employment-related legal strategies across hiring, offer letters, separation agreements, terminations, training, contractor agreements, and accommodations, partnering with business leaders and HR at every stage.

  • Oversee and advise on employee-related internal investigations and employment litigation including responses to demand letters and agency complaints, tribunal matters, conciliations, and audits (U.S.: EEOC, DOL; Ireland: Workplace Relations Commission, Labour Court; Mexico: STPS, Centro Federal de Conciliacin y Registro Laboral; Canada: CHRC, CIRB, provincial human rights tribunals; India: Labour Courts, Industrial Tribunals) and related investigations.

  • Advise on and sometimes oversee disciplinary matters, grievance procedures, Data Subject Access Requests (DSAR) under the GDPR.

  • Monitor trends and developments in labor and employment law and HR best practices and translate them into updated processes, policies, templates, and training materials for Etsy.

  • Collaborate and set expectations with outside counsel (while the assumption remains that youre a hands-on experienced doer, and will only need outside counsel advice on edge cases and in jurisdictions where you are not admitted).

  • Support Legal department and team related projects, as needed.

  • Be a strong, collaborative, communicative partner to your colleagues on the Legal team, the HR team and leaders across the organization.

  • Of course, this is just a sample of the kinds of work this role will require! You should assume that your role will encompass other tasks, too, and that your job duties and responsibilities may change from time to time at Etsys discretion, or otherwise applicable with local law.


Qualities that will help you thrive in this role are:
  • 5+ years of employment law experience across a broad range of issues for global companies. EU experience required; Ireland, Mexico, Canada, and/or India experience a plus.

  • JD, admission to a state bar (NY or CA), and eligibility to work in-house in New York. Admission to practice in Ireland preferred; Mexico admission and Spanish fluency a plus.

  • Proven ability to work independently and manage projects from conception to completion, often with limited support.

  • Experience as primary client contact across investigations, regulatory interactions, training delivery, and legal project management.

  • Outstanding communicator  verbally and in writing  across audiences ranging from technical experts to business leaders, without relying on legal jargon. Able to give clear, real-time advice and produce polished presentations and written materials.

  • Comfortable with and curious about technology, including emerging AI tools.

  • Some employment litigation experience, including e-discovery.

  • A true great teammate: quick to volunteer, motivated by new projects, unafraid to ask or answer questions, and ready to step up when a colleague needs support. Strong multitasker with excellent time management and accountability.

  • Business-first approach that balances legal risk with strategic and operational considerations.

  • Genuine passion for Etsys mission to keep human connection at the heart of commerce.

Additional Information

Whats Next
If youre interested in joining the team at Etsy, please share your resume with us and feel free to include a cover letter if youd like. As we hope youve seen already, Etsy is a place that values individuality and variety. We dont want you to be like everyone else -- we want you to be like you! So tell us what youre all about.

About Etsy

Etsy is an American e-commerce company that provides a global online marketplace for handmade goods, vintage items, and craft supplies. Etsy's community of sellers includes artists, craftspeople, and collectors who sell a wide range of items, including jewelry, clothing, home décor, art, toys, and craft supplies. Etsy was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. The company has a strong commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, and has been recognized for its efforts to reduce its environmental impact and support small businesses around the world.
Learn more about Etsy
Size
2,576 employees
Market Cap
$15.2 billion
Industry
Net Income
$349.2 million
Founded
2005
5 Year Trend
+44.9%
Revenue
$1.7 billion
NASDAQ

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