Director-Associate General Counsel
Position Title : Associate General Counsel, Employment
Location: Alpharetta, GA
The Role:Mativ is seeking an Associate General Counsel, Employment to serve as the Company's primary employment and labor law advisor. This is a high-impact, individual contributor role reporting directly to the Chief Legal & Administrative Officer and partnering closely with the Chief Human Resources Officer and HR leadership team. The position supports the full breadth of Mativ's global workforce - across the United States and international operations in Europe, Canada, Mexico, India, and China.
The Associate General Counsel, Employment reports directly to the Chief Legal & Administrative Officer and works in close partnership with the Chief Human Resources Officer and HR leadership team. This is an individual contributor role within a lean legal department that values business partnership, responsiveness, and sound judgment.
Key Responsibilities:Employment Counseling & Advice- Provide day-to-day employment law advice to HR, business leaders, and site management across Mativ's U.S. and international operations on matters including hiring, discipline, terminations, accommodations, leave management, performance management, workplace investigations, and employee relations.
- Draft, review, and update employment-related policies, handbooks, agreements (including restrictive covenants, separation agreements, and offer letters), and templates.
- Monitor developments in employment law, regulations, and enforcement trends; proactively advise the business on compliance implications.
- Wage & Hour / FLSA Compliance
- Advise on wage and hour matters, including FLSA classification, overtime, pay practices, and state and local wage law compliance across Mativ's multi-state manufacturing and corporate operations.
- Support compliance audits and remediation efforts as needed.
Labor Relations- Serve as legal advisor on labor relations matters, including union grievances, arbitrations, collective bargaining, and unfair labor practice charges across Mativ's unionized facilities.
- Partner with HR and site leadership to manage labor relations strategy and maintain constructive union relationships.
Litigation Management- Manage employment-related litigation, EEOC and state agency charges, DOL audits, OSHA complaints, and agency proceedings, primarily through the selection, oversight, and management of outside counsel.
- Develop case strategy, manage outside counsel budgets, and drive timely resolution of disputes.
Workplace Investigations & Compliance- Lead or support internal investigations involving employee complaints, ethics hotline reports, and whistleblower claims.
- Support administration of the Company's Code of Conduct, anti-harassment training, and related compliance programs.
Immigration- Oversee the Company's immigration program, including visa sponsorship and I-9 compliance, with support from outside counsel.
International Employment Support- Provide legal guidance on international employment matters, including workforce actions, local labor law compliance, works council consultations, and cross-border employment issues, in coordination with local outside counsel in applicable jurisdictions.
- Support emerging international compliance initiatives, including EU pay transparency and global data privacy requirements affecting the workforce.
Experience/ Requirements:- 8-14 years of progressive employment law experience, with a combination of law firm and in-house experience advising employers.
- Experience in manufacturing, industrial, specialty materials, or closely adjacent sectors is a plus. Candidates from other industries with strong employment law fundamentals will also be considered.
- Experience advising on labor relations matters, including union grievance and arbitration proceedings, collective bargaining, and NLRB matters.
- Proven ability to manage outside counsel in employment litigation, including case strategy, budgeting, and resolution. Direct litigation experience is valued but not required.
- Experience with international employment law matters - particularly in Europe, Canada, or Mexico - is preferred. The role will receive significant support from local outside counsel.
- Active member in good standing of at least one U.S. state bar. Georgia bar admission is not required.
- Exercises sound legal and business judgment; provides practical, actionable advice that balances legal risk with business objectives.
- Timely, reliable, and accessible; understands the pace of a manufacturing business and the importance of meeting operational timelines.
- Earns the trust and confidence of HR, business leaders, and site management; viewed as a valued advisor rather than a gatekeeper.
- Works effectively across functions, with outside counsel, and with international colleagues in a matrixed, global organization.
- Comfortable operating in a lean legal department where everyone contributes broadly and no task is too small.
- Clear, concise communicator who can translate complex legal concepts into practical guidance for non-lawyer audiences.
- Practical, solutions-oriented, and grounded; able to navigate ambiguity and competing priorities with composure.
- Self-starter who takes ownership and drives matters to resolution with minimal supervision.
- High integrity and sound ethical compass; committed to doing the right thing.
- Collaborative and approachable; builds strong working relationships at all levels of the organization.
- Comfortable engaging with manufacturing environments and frontline workforce issues.
WHAT WE OFFERAt Mativ, our benefits reflect how much we value and care for each other. We know that employees and their families have unique needs, so our comprehensive benefits offer flexibility, quality, and affordability. Here are just a few of the ways we support your well-being and that of your loved ones:
- Medical, dental and vision insurance
- Consumer-Driven Health Plan (CDHP)
- Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
- Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO)
- Company-paid basic life insurance and Additional voluntary life coverage
- Paid vacation and competitive personal time off
- 401(k) savings plan with company match
- Employee assistance programs - available 24/7 to you and your family
- Wellness and Work Life Support - career development and educational assistance
