Corporate Counsel - Compliance, Wage & Hour, and Labor & Employment

IHG•Atlanta, GA

11h•$139,000 - $189,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Corporate Counsel, Compliance, Wage & Hour, and Labor & Employment – AMER will play a critical role in ensuring legal and regulatory compliance across the AMER region for both Corporate and CMH operations. This role reports directly to the Vice President and Associate General Counsel supporting Labor & Employment, Government Affairs and Global Procurement and is responsible for advising on compliance obligations; implementing and monitoring legal requirements; supporting HR, Payroll, and operational leaders; and driving risk mitigation initiatives. This role will also work with the Corporate Counsel, Labor & Employment. The successful candidate will manage a broad portfolio spanning compliance audits, wage & hour issues, policy updates, investigations, training, and regulatory reporting.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctor; active member of the Georgia State Bar in good standing.
More than 3 years of post‑qualification, progressive legal practice experience.
Expertise in litigation; labor & employment preferred
Proven ability to draft a wide range of legal documents.
Demonstrated project management skills, including planning and executing large‑scale initiatives.
Experience leading, advising, and developing teams or individuals.
Strong verbal and written communication skills for interactions with clients, outside counsel, vendors, senior management, and staff.

Responsibilities

Ensure ongoing compliance by monitoring legislative changes, updating policies, conducting audits (automated, manual, and on‑site), and supporting hotel/corporate teams with proper implementation of HR, payroll, and training requirements.
Oversee wage & hour compliance by advising on FLSA classifications, reviewing payroll practices, ensuring accurate timekeeping, and guiding requirements for meal/rest breaks and tipped employees.
Manage employment regulatory processes by advising on state‑specific mandates, overseeing compliant termination practices, and ensuring timely submission of external regulatory reports.
Lead investigations and documentation by conducting internal reviews, maintaining legally compliant records, and drafting/reviewing legal agreements, onboard documents, disclosures, and arbitration materials.
Deliver training and audits by developing compliance education, performing risk assessments, partnering on remediation plans, and driving continuous improvement across processes.
Direct legal strategy and oversight by managing mediations/litigation, engaging and guiding outside counsel, advising leadership on legal risks, and ensuring efficient resolution of department and division legal matters.
Provide leadership and operational governance by managing team performance, budgets, and legal documentation; counseling leaders on strategic decisions; representing the organization externally; and coaching/developing staff where applicable.