Senior Counsel, US Employment at KBR, Inc. in Houston, TX

Title: Senior Counsel, US Employment

Trinzic is seeking an experienced employment attorney to join its Legal Department as Senior Counsel, US Employment. Reporting to the Vice President, Litigation & Employment, this role serves as a trusted advisor to business leaders and People team partners, providing practical and strategic counsel on a broad range of labor and employment matters across the United States. The position plays a critical role in managing employment-related risk, supporting workplace initiatives, and helping the organization navigate complex legal and regulatory challenges in a dynamic business environment.

Trinzic is being established as an independent public company through the planned separation of KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business, which is expected to be completed on January 4, 2027. This role offers a rare opportunity to join the organization during a pivotal period of growth and transformation, helping build and support employment legal strategies, policies, and practices that will position the company for long-term success while serving critical government and commercial missions around the world.

Key Responsibilities

• Employment Law Counseling: Provide practical, business-oriented legal advice on a broad range of employment law matters, including employee relations, performance management, disciplinary actions, reductions in force, accommodations, leave management, wage and hour compliance, workplace policies, and terminations.
• Strategic Business Partnership: Serve as a trusted advisor to business leaders and People team stakeholders, proactively identifying legal risks and developing solutions that support organizational objectives while maintaining compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Employment Litigation & Claims Management: Manage employment-related litigation, administrative charges, and pre-litigation disputes. Partner with outside counsel to develop case strategy, manage budgets, oversee discovery, evaluate risk, and drive efficient resolution of matters.
• Agency Proceedings & Regulatory Matters: Respond to charges and complaints filed with federal, state, and local agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Department of Labor, and comparable agencies. Prepare position statements and represent the company in mediations and administrative proceedings.
• Internal Investigations: Conduct and oversee internal investigations involving employee relations concerns, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, misconduct, and other workplace issues. Provide recommendations regarding corrective actions and risk mitigation strategies.
• Policy Development & Compliance: Draft, review, and update employment policies, employee communications, agreements, and workplace practices to ensure compliance with evolving federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Government Contractor Compliance: Advise on legal obligations applicable to federal government contractors, including OFCCP compliance, affirmative action requirements, audits, and related workplace regulations.
• Labor Relations: Provide counsel on labor relations matters, including collective bargaining agreements, grievances, arbitrations, union organizing activity, and proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
• Workplace Safety & Regulatory Support: Advise business leaders and stakeholders on employment-related aspects of workplace safety matters and support interactions with OSHA and related regulatory agencies when necessary.
• Training & Education: Develop and deliver training for managers, People team professionals, and employees on employment law topics, workplace compliance, and risk mitigation best practices.
• Global Employment Matters: Support international employment law issues as needed, partnering with local counsel and internal stakeholders to address employment-related matters in foreign jurisdictions.
• Special Projects: Participate in strategic legal initiatives, organizational projects, and other responsibilities as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction and in good standing.
• 8+ years of labor and employment law experience gained through a nationally recognized law firm, corporate legal department, or a combination of both.
• Experience counseling employers on complex employment law matters across multiple jurisdictions.
• Experience managing employment litigation and administrative proceedings through all phases of dispute resolution.
• Experience supporting organizations that operate within the government contracting industry strongly preferred.

Professional Skills & Competencies

• Deep knowledge of U.S. employment laws and regulations, including Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, NLRA, and related federal, state, and local employment requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to provide practical, business-focused legal advice while balancing legal risk and operational priorities.
• Strong experience conducting and managing workplace investigations involving sensitive and confidential matters.
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent judgment, integrity, and discretion when handling privileged and highly sensitive information.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Proven ability to build collaborative relationships across Legal, Human Resources, Compliance, and business leadership teams.
• Experience managing outside counsel and legal budgets.
• Familiarity with eDiscovery processes, document preservation obligations, and litigation support technologies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and related business applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting federal government contractors and highly regulated industries.
• Experience advising on OFCCP compliance, affirmative action programs, and government audits.
• Experience handling labor relations matters, including union grievances, arbitrations, and NLRB proceedings.
• Experience supporting international employment law matters and global workforce issues.
• Prior in-house legal experience within a large corporate environment.
• Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, workforce integrations, or other transformational business initiatives.

Location:

The ideal candidate will be located in the Houston, TX or greater Washington D.C.-Baltimore area. While KBR strives to maintain a global, flexible, diverse, and sustainable work environment for our people, we currently offer flexible working arrangements, including hybrid, remote working, and virtual delivery to help reinforce and strengthen our strong commitment to becoming a more socially sustainable company, allowing us to provide greater work-life balance and flexibility.

Additional Compensation: KBR may offer bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation to certain job titles or levels, per internal policy or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be in the form of sign on bonus, relocation benefits, short term incentives, long term incentives, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

Benefits: KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include a 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule. We support career advancement through professional training and development.

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR

At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together.

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.