Counsel, Employment

Recently named one of Entrepreneur magazine’s Top 100 Cannabis Leaders, Cresco Labs is one of the largest vertically-integrated multi-state cannabis operators in the United States. Cresco is built to become the most important company in the cannabis industry by combining the most strategic geographic footprint with one of the leading distribution platforms in North America. Employing a consumer-packaged goods (“CPG”) approach to cannabis, Cresco’s house of brands is designed to meet the needs of all consumer segments and includes some of the most recognized and trusted national brands including Cresco, Remedi and Mindy’s, a line of edibles created by James Beard Award-winning chef Mindy Segal. Sunnyside*, Cresco’s national dispensary brand is a wellness-focused retailer designed to build trust, education and convenience for both existing and new cannabis consumers. Recognizing that the cannabis industry is poised to become one of the leading job creators in the country, Cresco has launched the industry’s first national comprehensive Social Equity and Educational Development (SEED) initiative designed to ensure that all members of society have the skills, knowledge and opportunity to work in and own businesses in the cannabis industry. 

At Cresco, we aim to lead the nation’s cannabis industry with a focus on regulatory compliance, product consistency, and customer satisfaction. Our operations bring legitimacy to the cannabis industry by acting with the highest level of integrity, strictly adhering to regulations, and promoting the clinical efficacy of cannabis. As Cresco grows, we will operate with the same level of professionalism and precision in each new market we move in to.

JOB SUMMARY

Cresco Labs is seeking an experienced Counsel - Employment to work on legal issues within the Company. This position will report to the Associate General Counsel – Labor & Employment. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experiences handling employment matters at varying levels. This person will possess a strong business partner mindset, including providing advice and counsel to HR professionals. Cresco’s Employment Counsel will work on the company’s strategic initiatives and support employment litigation.

CORE JOB DUTIES 

• Provide day-to-day employment law advice on a variety of topics, including hiring practices and procedures, FMLA and other protected leaves, ADA reasonable accommodation, discrimination, counseling, discipline, documentation, terminations, investigations, wage & hour, collective bargaining, compensation and other matters to HR and Business Partners.
• Counsel and advise on the employment law implications of strategic business initiatives. Support HR in developing and administering employment-related policies and programs.
• Draft, review and negotiate a variety of employment-related documents in support of Cresco objectives including employment, confidentiality and separation agreements.
• Assist in development and presentation of education and training materials to HR and business stakeholders.
• Provide advice and counsel with regard to legal compliance issues impacting employees (I-9s, disability, FMLA, FCPA, etc.) and assist Senior Counsel in developing strategic plans for all employment-related matters, including but not limited to, policies, procedures, litigation and pre-litigation matters.
• Manage employment related claims, litigation and related matters, including the retention and management of outside counsel or other experts.
• Investigate and defend state and federal agency-level charges of discrimination, wage/hour audits and other regulatory complaints, including preparation of position statements and other responsive documents.
• Serve as a key member of the employment law team, supporting special projects to identify and proactively manage employment-related legal risks.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION AND SKILLS  

• JD from an accredited law school required
• 4 to 7years’ experience either in-house or at a law firm practicing employment law
• Skilled in negotiation, client service and the ability to interact effectively with Cresco personnel
• Analytical skills and the ability to think through critical information and make informed recommendations
• Capable of handling confidential information discreetly and professionally
• Experience investigating and defending state charges of discrimination, wage/hour audits and other regulatory complaints, including preparation of position statements and other responsive documents
• Advanced proficiency in MS Excel, MS Office Adobe Suite required
• Must have the ability to develop and foster strong working relationships throughout all levels of the organization and to recognize potential issues and make sound legal judgements
• Excellent organization and planning skills
• Excellent people and communication skills (verbal and written)
• Ability to successfully manage a high-volume workload with tight deadlines
• Ability to model Cresco’s Values: Stewardship, Ownership and Leadership

BENEFITS

Cresco Labs is proud to offer eligible employees a robust offering of benefits including, major medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(K)-match program, FSA/HSA programs, LTD/STD options, life insurance and AD&D.  We also offer eligible employees paid holidays and paid time off.  Other rewards may include annual discretionary bonuses, stock options as well as participation in our employee discount program. Benefits eligibility for permanent positions may vary by full-time or part-time roles, location, or position.

COMPENSATION 

In accordance with any local and state compensation laws, the estimated range of compensation is $125,000 - $145,000 + bonus eligible. Final offer details and future compensation may be determined by multiple factors including but not limited to, geographic location, market compensation data, skills, experience and other relevant factors. For questions about this please discuss with your recruiter during the interview process. 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be 21 years of age or older to apply
• Must comply with all legal or company regulations for working in the industry 

Cresco Labs is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all applicants will be considered without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.