Litigation and Employment Group Manager

This role oversees and manages staff across employment law and litigation matters. It evaluates legal risks federal and state laws, and supports the Legal function in defending against claims and regulatory actions. The position collaborates with departments to ensure legal compliance, recommends policy updates, and engages with internal and external stakeholders on legal issues. Responsibilities include managing pre-litigation negotiations, developing legal processes, litigation and representing the company in mediations, arbitrations, and trials.

Job Details

• Location :
• San Antonio Home Office
• 300 Concord Plaza Dr San Antonio TX 78216-6903
• Total Rewards :
• Competitive Weekly Pay
• Bonus Program with 250% Upside Potential
• Performance for Pay Program – Eligibility to Receive a Pay Increase Once a Year, Based on Performance
• Opportunities for Career Development and Growth
• Healthcare and Life Insurance Benefits
• Paid Time Off - 5 Weeks on Day 1
• Flex Weeks - Remote Work Arrangement
• Paid Corporate Holidays
• 401(k) Savings Plan with a Competitive Company Match
• Paid Parental Leave – Subject to Eligibility Requirements
• Short-Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability
• Scholarship Program - You and Your Dependents are Eligible!
• Whataburger Family Foundation (Hardship Grant Assistance)
• Discounted Meals For You and a Guest
• Wireless Service Discounts
• Computer & Software Discounts
• Fitness / Gym Discounts
• Awards and Recognition For All You Do
• Retirement Celebration Program
• Responsibilities :
• Assists with management of the day-to-day operation of the Employment and Litigation functions. Reviews and provides strategic guidance to Company Leadership related to legal exposure associated with Company’s operations, and develops and implements policies, practices, and procedures to reduce or limit exposure.
• Provides recommendation on communications or positions taken with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Department of Labor (DOL), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Department of Justice (DOJ), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and all other state and local enforcement necessary to defend the Company and Brand and makes recommendations to Senior Leadership regarding such matters. Represents Company’s interests in mediations, depositions, and trial if required.
• Drafts and manages the drafting of Settlement Agreements and negotiates with claimants and their attorneys.
• Provides directional guidance on significant or litigation-related individual claims responses or Company-wide responses and develops a strategy to reduce or maintain claims and related rates.
• Provides directional guidance on Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) program administration to ensure compliance with the DOL and EEOC FMLA interpretation.
• Assists the Secretary for ERISA and employee benefits or similar compliance-related plans, including, 401(k), Employee Benefit Plan, Supplemental Deferred Compensation Plan, and Employee Quality Protection Plan Committees.
• Maintains and shares Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and other Benefit and Compensation Plan / program compliance knowledge.
• Prepares legal liability trend reports as requested by senior management and provides analysis, and potential solutions to address or reduce any negative trends.
• Recommends policy modification to meet corporate objectives, ensuring compliance with relevant laws, rules, and regulations.
• Assists with corporate initiatives to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), oversees ADA compliance, processes, and addresses requests for accommodation and economic hardships and follows through at the operations level.
• Provides government policy, procedure, and compliance information to other departments, as needed.
• Develops and maintains policies to limit liability exposure to acceptable levels.
• Reviews federal and state laws, rules, and regulations pursuant to the development and in the administration of company policies.
• Manages business governance initiatives and programs in support of organizational strategies, utilizing market innovation as a key element of the research and development process. Keeps apprised of the changing environment pertaining to legal matters and of employer and non-subscriber reform / law changes.
• Aids in setting and managing reserves for pre-litigation and litigated claims, arbitrations, and lawsuits; works in partnership with Enterprise Risk on individual matters, quarterly and annual reserves, and associated budgets.
• Education :
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Juris Doctor (JD) degree required
• Experience :
• 7+ years’ experience supervising others at various organizational levels, preferably at a regional or higher level
• 9+ years’ experience as project or program director
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities :
• Proficiency in MS Office Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point, and Visio (as applicable)
• Proficiency in LexisNexis and Workday (as applicable)
• Ability to communicate, influence, and negotiate decisions while motivating assigned staff
• Advanced ability to create and implement given strategic direction
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Working Conditions / Travel Requirements :
• Expected to work the necessary time to satisfactorily fulfill job responsibilities
• Must be able to report to work timely and as required by operational / business needs
• Must be able to work a full-time schedule and work outside of normal business hours when necessary
• Must be able to travel periodically both locally and long distances (including air travel), to worksites, meeting sites, and other locations; up to 20-25% travel.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license, submit to releasing a Motor Vehicle Record that adheres to the Whataburger standards and maintain current automobile liability at minimum levels in their state of residence