Sr. Legal Counsel

Rakuten International is a division of Rakuten Group, Inc., a Japanese global technology leader in services that empower individuals, communities, businesses and society. Headquartered in San Mateo, California with more than 4,000 employees worldwide, the Rakuten International business portfolio includes market leaders in e-commerce, digital marketing, advertising, communications and entertainment. We create products and services that provide exceptional value by aligning members and the businesses that want to engage them in a shared community.

You will serve as an established and productive individual contributor, managing defined components of legal projects or processes within your area of responsibility. You will apply practical knowledge of corporate and financial law to support the company's business operations in the online retail broker industry.

You will be responsible for providing legal counsel on a variety of legal matters, analyzing risks, drafting legal documents, and ensuring compliance. You may collaborate with other departments, and occasionally manage smaller projects or initiatives, contributing to the efficiency and effectiveness of the legal function.

• Provide labor and employment law support in the United States (with particular focus in California), Canada, Brazil, Europe, Australia, Singapore and other regions as assigned
• Take the lead in the strategy and development of legally sound policies and programs in all areas of employment law, including equal employment opportunity, accommodations, pay equity and pay transparency initiatives, family and medical leave, talent acquisition, employee data privacy, contingent workforce, joint employment, wage and hour compliance, immigration, use of artificial intelligence in employment arenas, and acquisitions/divestitures/restructuring due diligence and post-merger integration
• Partner with Human Resources and business managers to provide timely, ongoing, thoughtful and thorough legal counsel and strategic guidance related to the management of employee relations issues, such as performance management, employee misconduct and workplace investigations
• Lead internal investigations into employee complaints received through company helpline
• Manage employment litigation including retention and direction of outside counsel and partnership with applicable Employment Practices Liability insurance carriers
• Support business during strategic restructurings and reductions in force when necessary
• Conduct commercial review of HR related contracts including those for benefit providers
• Draft and manage intercompany agreements for secondment of workers
• Evaluate and provide strategic and tactical advice to manage attorney demand letters, complaints, and other employment claims, developing legally sound strategies for the Company's defense of such actions, and negotiating and drafting settlements
• Actively monitor trends and analyze labor and employment laws and regulations to develop policy recommendations in partnership with Human Resources
• Provide advice and guidance on pending law changes while creating proactive strategies to ensure compliance
• Perform risk assessments related to proposed initiatives, corporate activities and industry developments, recommending alternative courses of action to achieve business objectives while limiting liability and risk
• Maintain in depth knowledge of Company policies, federal and state legislation
• Educate and train Human Resources professionals, operating business managers and others on trends and legal actions which may affect the workplace through written materials or training seminars
• Partner with attorneys in the department to address Company-wide employment issues
• Support other litigation and legal functions, as needed.

• Broad background in providing advice and counsel to human resources and operating business managers in complex employment related matters
• Employment litigation experience, firm and in-house experience
• Experience interfacing with government and/or labor and employment agencies which maintain jurisdiction over employment and related legal matters
• Experience with cutting-edge employment and labor-related policies, programs and systems, and up-to-date knowledge of labor and employment issues and case law
• Strong leadership skills and good judgement, and the ability to think strategically both from a business and legal perspective
• Ability to foster relationships and individual…