In this full-time Legal hybrid role located in Aurora, IL (in-office at least 2 days per month), you'll join a collaborative team of experienced practitioners and directly support corporate leadership with legal matters that impact day-to-day operations and long-term growth.

In this role, the Senior Counsel - Labor & Employment will serve as a trusted advisor to leadership-proactively identifying risk, guiding strategic decisions, and driving best-in-class legal practices across the organization. This position offers the opportunity to own complex matters from pre-litigation strategy through resolution, influence policy development, and collaborate cross-functionally to support ALDI's continued growth. If you're a results-driven attorney who thrives on autonomy, values practical problem-solving, and is energized by partnering with the business to deliver forward-thinking solutions, this role offers a unique platform to make a meaningful impact.

Position Type: Full-Time
Starting Salary: $186,250
Salary Increases: Year 2 - $196,750 | Year 3 - $207,000
Work Location: Aurora, IL
This role is eligible to participate in ALDI's Legal Hybrid Work Program, which requires work in-office at least 2 days per month.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Must be able to perform duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Provides input to their direct leader concerning personnel hiring.
• Identifies legal issues and recommends responsive action.
• Engages with business, external parties, suppliers involved in the legal process, and internal/external counsel regarding relevant areas of expertise.
• Evaluates and analyzes legal issues and reports findings, as well as recommendations, to direct leader.
• Advises on any changes or actions to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the team.
• Informs management of recurring issues or when additional team training may be required.
• Reviews work performed by the team and suggests substantive improvements.
• Works strategically and independently to provide guidance to internal team members and relevant areas of the business.
• Researches, analyzes, and keeps current on legal issues and laws, legislation, regulations, and court decisions affecting the relevant areas of law; identifies and communicates impactful updates to the team.
• Performs pre-litigation work without significant oversight, including providing timely and insightful counseling and advice, to minimize risks and potential legal liability.
• Identifies and analyzes company procedures on a proactive basis to ensure best practices.
• Prepares reports and analyzes data to identify exposures and risks.
• Manages strategies for reducing costs and transferring risk.
• Provides proactive analysis of current projects and analytical review of reported results.
• Drafts memorandums, attorney correspondence, reports, and other legal documents.
• Leads legal policies and strategic planning related to their area of subject matter expertise in order to support tactical business growth.
• Manages complex legal negotiations with key stakeholders and vendors while collaborating with various cross-functional business teams providing for stronger Legal and Business relationships.
• Communicates complex information and legal concepts to a broad range of clients, from ALDI employees to executive management.
• Supports Corporate Counsels in providing the business with accurate and timely advice and counseling on a wide variety of legal matters.
• Leverages legal expertise, experience, and business acumen to support the company in achieving its objectives.
• Assists in training and developing team members to retain a motivated and professional workforce.
• Collaborates with team members and communicates relevant information to leadership.
• Upholds the security and confidentiality of documents and data within area of responsibility.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job-specific Competencies:

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
• Consistently demonstrates the Mindsets, ALDI Acts Competencies and Professional Skills (M.A.P.) as outlined for the role.
• Gives attention to detail and follows instruction.
• Prepares written materials to meet purpose and audience.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with internal and external parties.
• Works cooperatively and collaboratively within a group.
• Understands the history, strategy, organizational authority, interdependence of job duties, products, systems, and services of the company.
• Ability to work independently and within a team environment.
• Proficient in legal analysis, drafting, research, and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of United States employment law, contract law, and/or data privacy law and ability to assist in defending the company against various areas of litigation.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to analyze and present complex data.
• Ability to interpret and apply company policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of retail industry standards and practices.
• Negotiation skills.
• Ability to apply creative solutions.
• Proficient in reviewing data to determine accuracy and completeness.

Education and Experience:
• Bachelor's Degree required.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in a legal environment required.
• Experience in a law firm, corporate legal department or in-house legal counsel required.
• J.D. required from an ABA accredited law school; licensed to practice in Illinois (or immediate ability to become licensed) required.
• Knowledge of contract law, data privacy, litigation, employment law and/or commercial disputes required.

Physical Requirements:
• Work may be performed in an office, remote office, or a combination of both where a computer and office equipment may be used as needed to perform duties.
• Regularly required to sit, reach, grasp, stand and move from one area to another.
• Constantly and repeatedly use keyboard/mouse.
• Occasionally required to push, pull, bend, lift and move up to 25 lbs.

Travel:
• Domestic travel required.
• Up to 10%.