Director and Senior Managing Counsel (Employment Law)

Director and Senior Managing Counsel (Employment Law)

Portugal

Director and Senior Managing Counsel (Claims and Escalations)

Location: This fully‑remote position is based in the EMEA region.

Oyster is seeking a Director and Senior Managing Counsel for its Claims & Escalations Team. The role reports to the General Counsel and will lead a global team of attorneys and legal specialists, providing counsel on employment law and related issues worldwide. Key responsibilities include managing remote legal staff, advising on EOR‑model escalations, overseeing claims and disputes, working closely with People Services, Operations, and Revenue teams, monitoring outside counsel performance, and collaborating with other Legal teams on cross‑functional initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor and manage a team of remote lawyers and legal specialists worldwide.
• Advise on EOR‑model escalations and the complexities of balancing legal obligations with customer expectations.
• Oversee all claims and disputes, liaising with outside counsel.
• Provide internal and external counsel on employment law across multiple jurisdictions.
• Support the employment lifecycle for internal colleagues and external team members.
• Manage outside counsel relationships, monitoring legal spend and performance.
• Collaborate with other Legal teams to solve complex legal issues and support department‑wide initiatives.
• Lead cross‑functional compliance, knowledge‑management, and other initiatives.
• Create plain‑language collateral around employing workers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Core Requirements

• Juris Doctorate or qualified lawyer admitted in one or more jurisdictions.
• 7+ years of PQE practicing employment law.
• In‑house experience within a corporate legal department.
• Law firm experience, including litigation.
• People‑management experience.
• Remote work environment experience.
• Employment‑law compliance experience in APAC, LATAM, or European countries.
• Drafting employment and non‑compete agreements and handling terminations.
• Ability to handle complex legal issues across multiple countries’ laws.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and research skills.
• Positive attitude and willingness to help others.
• Fast‑paced, high‑output, team‑oriented, practical mindset.
• Beneficial experience in one or more of the following: EOR/PEO work, employee benefits advising, cross‑border compliance, immigration law, corporate due diligence.

You’ll Also Need

• A reliable home internet connection (or the ability to get one).
• Fluent English (written and spoken).

How We Work Together At Oyster

Oyster values trust, teamwork, and equitable opportunity. We build an asynchronous, collaborative culture with a focus on the needs of a global, distributed workforce.

How YOU Work

• Work from anywhere: as long as you can deliver, you are authorized to work where you live.
• Paid time off: 40 days per year, including public holidays and vacation.
• Mental health support: access to the Plumm well‑being service.
• Well‑being allowance: monthly top‑up to your Thanks
  Ben wallet.
• Flexible parental leave: minimum 3 months paid, job held for 12 months.
• Home‑office stipend for laptop and equipment.

The Best Jobs Should Be Available to Everyone

Oyster celebrates diverse perspectives and encourages applicants who may not meet every criterion but bring unique value. We are committed to including people with disabilities and to providing reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process.

Our equal‑opportunity statement: Oyster is an equal‑opportunity employer. Please contact with the subject line “Interview Accommodations” if you require accommodations.