Labor & Employment Counsel Manager

Labor & Employment Counsel Manager

Apply for the Labor & Employment Counsel Manager role at Wellhub, headquartered in NYC with team members in 11 countries.

Based in Lisbon or Madrid, you will serve as the primary in‑house employment law expert for our European operations and a key advisor on employment and labour matters across Europe.

Opportunity

We are looking for a highly experienced and business‑focused counsel to support our European legal team.

Impact

• Serve as the lead expert on all aspects of applicable EU local laws, including contracts, terminations, working time, compensation, benefits, and local compliance requirements.
• Provide timely, pragmatic and commercially focused legal advice on a wide range of employment and labour law issues across our European operations, with a focus on Portugal, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, UK, or other key jurisdictions.
• Manage and direct all employment litigation and disputes, working effectively with external counsel to achieve successful outcomes.
• Lead the employment law aspects of major corporate transactions, such as restructurings, outsourcing/insourcing.
• Advise on compensation and complex issues involving non‑competes, restrictive covenants, and trade secrets.
• Develop, draft and implement European‑wide employment policies, handbooks, and standard contract templates to ensure consistency and compliance with EU directives and local laws.
• Provide strategic counsel on Employee Relations matters, including disciplinary actions, grievances, internal investigations (e.g., whistleblowing), and performance management.
• Advise on Works Councils and Trade Union relations, including collective bargaining obligations and information/consultation requirements.
• Monitor and communicate key legislative and regulatory changes in Europe, providing risk assessments and actionable guidance to HR and business stakeholders.
• Live the mission by inspiring and empowering others, cultivating wellbeing for yourself and your colleagues, and creating a supportive environment for work‑life wellness.

Qualifications

• Law Degree: Qualified lawyer with a valid practicing certificate in Portugal or another major European jurisdiction.
• Experience: 8+ years of progressive, dedicated employment law experience in a reputable international law firm or as in‑house counsel for a multinational corporation.
• Cross‑jurisdictional Expertise: Deep, demonstrable experience working across different jurisdictions, building scalability and sharing best practices while adapting to local needs.
• Language Skills: Fluency in English (written and spoken) is mandatory. Fluency in Portuguese is highly preferred, with additional European languages (e.g., Spanish, French, German) being significant assets.
• Strategic & Commercial Acumen: Ability to translate complex legal requirements into practical, business‑focused solutions aligned with the company’s strategic goals.
• Leadership & Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to influence and manage relationships with senior executives, HR partners, and external counsel across cultures and time zones.
• Communication: Excellent negotiation, drafting, and presentation skills.
• Autonomy: Proven ability to operate independently, manage a high‑volume workload, prioritize effectively, and handle highly sensitive/confidential matters with discretion.

Benefits

• Free Gold membership with access to onsite gyms and studios, digital fitness programs, online wellness resources, and the ability to add up to three family members.
• Health insurance.
• Hybrid and remote options; flexible work arrangements; one‑time reimbursement for home office setup and monthly work allowance.
• Flexible schedule: employees define schedules in alignment with time zones, team needs, and personal routines.
• Paid time off: minimum 25 days paid holiday per year plus one additional day for each year of tenure (up to 5) and an extra holiday on birthday.
• Parental leave: 100% paid parental leave for all new parents, with extended leave and ramp‑back period for parents giving birth.
• Career growth: access to world‑class platforms, interactive sessions, personalized development roadmap and internal opportunities.
• Culture: supportive, inclusive, open communication where every perspective matters.

E.O.O.

Wellhub is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, non‑disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by applicable law.

Application

Follow us on Instagram @lifeatwellhub and LinkedIn for a glimpse of life at Wellhub.