Counsel - Executive Compensation

Overview

A Technical Services Unit within a Research and Innovation Center is seeking an experienced attorney to provide centralized legal, regulatory, and policy support related to employee benefit plans and compensation programs. The team supports associates primarily located in Arlington, Virginia; Stamford, Connecticut; and Toronto, Ontario.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a national technical resource on legislative and regulatory issues affecting employee benefits and executive compensation.
• Respond promptly to inquiries from U.S. associates regarding technical and regulatory matters.
• Keep internal and external clients informed about changes in laws and regulations impacting plan design, administration, and governance.
• Communicate complex legal issues clearly and effectively to clients.
• Identify potential business development opportunities related to regulatory, tax, and accounting changes.
• Ensure quality control processes are followed on all work.
• Occasionally present at external business roundtables and client events on legislative and regulatory developments.
• Build relationships and collaborate across teams internally.
• Provide internal training on legislative and regulatory topics.
• Manage client-specific work and ensure accurate recording of chargeable hours.
• Participate in new business development meetings as needed.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree and current bar admission.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in a legal, accounting, consulting firm, or corporate legal department.
• Extensive knowledge of executive compensation matters, including taxation issues (e.g., Sections 162(m) and 409A), accounting for cash and equity, and securities law disclosure requirements (e.g., Pay versus Performance, Summary Compensation Table, 8-K filings).
• Some knowledge of tax, ERISA, and benefits compliance related to qualified retirement plans (401(k), 403(b), pension plans).
• Ability to analyze complex legal and regulatory developments and communicate key implications in writing.
• Strong client service orientation and sense of urgency.
• Excellent business judgment.
• Collaborative working style with expert colleagues.
• Effective speaking and presentation skills for external and internal audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with U.S. associates and clients on employee benefits and executive compensation.
• Leadership roles in trade or bar associations and interaction with government regulators.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary range: $200,000 to $300,000 USD per year.
• Eligibility for an annual short-term incentive bonus.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, health savings accounts, commuter accounts, flexible spending accounts, group accident and critical illness insurance, life insurance, AD&D, group legal coverage, identity theft protection, wellbeing programs, and employee assistance programs.
• Paid holidays, annual paid time off (including state/local paid leave where required), short-term and long-term disability, bereavement, FMLA, ADA, jury duty, military leave, parental and adoption leave.
• Retirement benefits including qualified contributory pension plan (if eligible), 401(k) plan with annual nonelective company contribution, and non-qualified retirement plans for senior-level colleagues.

Work Environment

• Flexible working arrangements with a hybrid model combining remote, in-person, and office work depending on team, role, and client needs.
• Encouragement of flexible work and location-based arrangements to support an inclusive and diverse workforce.

Location

Positions are based primarily in Arlington, Virginia; Stamford, Connecticut; and Toronto, Ontario.

Additional Information

• Employment-based non-immigrant visa sponsorship or assistance is not offered for this role.
• The position will remain open for a minimum of three business days or until a suitable candidate slate is identified.
• The employer is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with applicable fair chance ordinances.