What are the responsibilities and job description for the Deputy General Counsel - Labor & Employment position at CRST The Transportation Solution, Inc.?
Deputy General Counsel – Labor & Employment
Cedar Rapids, IA
About CRST
CRST The Transportation Solution is one of the nation's largest privately held transportation and logistics companies, delivering capacity solutions across truckload, brokerage, flatbed and specialized freight. With decades of experience and a network of operating companies serving customers across North America, CRST is built on a foundation of safety, integrity and commitment to the people and communities we serve.
The Opportunity
CRST is seeking a Deputy General Counsel to lead its employment and labor law function at an enterprise level, bringing senior legal judgment and strategic ownership to a complex, multi-state operation.
In this role, you'll serve as the senior legal voice on employment matters for a company that operates across all 50 states, working directly with HR leadership and business partners on everything from complex litigation strategy to day-to-day counsel. The goal is simple — make legal a true business partner, not a bottleneck.
This is a high-ownership role at a company that moves fast and values practical, business-minded legal thinking. You'll have the autonomy to set strategy, lead a team and shape how CRST manages employment legal risk across its entire operation, with direct access to the General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer and visibility across the enterprise.
How You'll Work
Cedar Rapids, IA
About CRST
CRST The Transportation Solution is one of the nation's largest privately held transportation and logistics companies, delivering capacity solutions across truckload, brokerage, flatbed and specialized freight. With decades of experience and a network of operating companies serving customers across North America, CRST is built on a foundation of safety, integrity and commitment to the people and communities we serve.
The Opportunity
CRST is seeking a Deputy General Counsel to lead its employment and labor law function at an enterprise level, bringing senior legal judgment and strategic ownership to a complex, multi-state operation.
In this role, you'll serve as the senior legal voice on employment matters for a company that operates across all 50 states, working directly with HR leadership and business partners on everything from complex litigation strategy to day-to-day counsel. The goal is simple — make legal a true business partner, not a bottleneck.
This is a high-ownership role at a company that moves fast and values practical, business-minded legal thinking. You'll have the autonomy to set strategy, lead a team and shape how CRST manages employment legal risk across its entire operation, with direct access to the General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer and visibility across the enterprise.
How You'll Work
- Location: Cedar Rapids, IA (201 1st St SE, Suite 400, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401) - relocation assistance available for candidates outside the area
- Compensation: Competitive executive compensation package. Additional details will be discussed with qualified candidates during the interview process
- Benefits: Comprehensive package including medical, dental and vision coverage; prescription drug and telehealth services; 401(k) with company match; paid time off and more
- Set and execute CRST's employment and labor law strategy, serving as the primary legal advisor to HR and business partners across all 50 states
- Own the employment litigation portfolio, including single-plaintiff and class action matters, and direct outside counsel on strategy and resolution
- Lead CRST's wage and hour compliance program, including active oversight of class action litigation
- Develop and deliver employment law training and policy guidance in partnership with HR, ensuring CRST's practices are legally sound and consistently applied
- Travel as needed to support business needs across CRST's operations
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an ABA-accredited law school
- Active bar membership in good standing in at least one U.S. state
- 8-12 years of substantive labor and employment law experience in a corporate legal department and/or recognized law firm
- Experience with employment litigation, including single-plaintiff and complex matters, in either an in-house or law firm setting
- Demonstrated ability to lead a legal function, influence senior business leaders and operate with a high degree of independence and strategic judgment
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to exercise sound legal and business judgment in a fast-paced environment
- Prior experience as in-house counsel in a transportation, logistics or similarly regulated industry
- Working knowledge of state-specific employment law requirements across multiple U.S. jurisdictions, including wage and hour, leave, pay transparency, privacy and background check compliance
- Experience leading strategy on wage and hour class action litigation
- Familiarity with union avoidance strategies and labor relations fundamentals in a non-union environment
- Prior experience supporting the development and delivery of employment law training programs for HR professionals and business leaders
- Prior experience conducting and training others on internal workplace investigations
- Prior experience leading or mentoring attorneys or legal staff
- Advanced degree or dual degree in a business-related field
- Step into a senior leadership role with direct access to the General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer and enterprise-wide visibility
- Own and shape CRST's employment legal function with the autonomy to set strategy and build for the long term
- Work alongside a collaborative legal team at a stable, well-established organization with a strong brand in transportation
- Safety at the Core of All We Do
- Integrity in Every Decision and Action
- Commitment to the Success of Employees, Customers, Agents, Contractors, and Communities