Senior Counsel - Employee Benefits

Overview

This role involves serving as an attorney supporting the organization’s Protection Solutions and Savings & Investments businesses, with primary focus on the Employee Benefits division. The work centers on supplemental health products and employer-provided life insurance. You will be part of a team of four attorneys providing strategic legal guidance and support.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and support for the development, filing, offering, and administration of life insurance products and services for the Employee Benefits division, including:
  • Term accident
  • Disability
  • Hospital indemnity
  • Executive health
  • Medical gap
  • Retiree medical
  • Medicare supplement
  • Employer-provided life products
• Prepare, review, and negotiate legal contracts, documents, and agreements, including marketing, distribution, administration, TPA, and/or vendor agreements (with review by senior team members).
• Research, counsel, and draft recommendations addressing unique regulatory challenges, including:
  • State-based claims processing requirements
  • Benefit coordination with group health plans
  • Benefit triggers and eligibility
  • Application of ERISA’s preemption clause to state insurance mandates
• Advise on legal risks and potential impacts of business decisions, including escalated claims and consumer complaints.
• Monitor, review, and interpret changes in laws, rules, and regulations, particularly those related to insurance regulations.
• As needed, support the Life Insurance division.
• Draft regulatory responses, disclosures, and other correspondence that may include market conduct issues from state and federal regulators (for review by senior team members).
• Collaborate with internal compliance teams to develop and implement policies and procedures to mitigate legal risks.
• Handle legal matters requiring analysis and evaluation of multiple factors.

Requirements

• JD from an ABA accredited law school
• Member of the Bar in good standing of any US jurisdiction
• Five years of experience at a sophisticated law firm or in-house counsel with insurance regulatory legal experience and/or focus on supplemental health insurance, state insurance matters, and life insurance, including knowledge of applicable laws and regulations
• Effective communicator in writing and orally for the intended audience
• Sound judgment in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to adapt and provide legal advice as circumstances change
• Comfort working in a rapidly changing corporate environment
• Proficiency using MS Office
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Action-oriented approach with timely, accurate prioritization and attention to detail

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with individual and group life insurance products
• Experience with voluntary benefits insurance products, including supplemental health and/or long-term care, and experience with the ACA, HIPAA and ERISA laws
• Demonstrated ability to generate and implement creative, cost-effective, and realistic solutions that create business impact

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation

• Salary range (general): $165,000 - $185,000 annually
• Salary is a good faith estimate; actual starting pay is determined by factors including qualifications, experience, geography, work location designation (in-office, hybrid, remote), and operational needs.
• Annual bonus eligibility is typical based on the Company Bonus Plan/Individual Performance and is at the organization’s discretion.

Benefits (for eligible employees)

• Pension Plan
• 401k Match
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Disability Insurance
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Employee Discounts
• Career Training & Development Opportunities

Health and work/life balance benefits

• Paid Time Off starting at 160 hours annually for employees in their first year of service
• Ten (10) paid holidays per year (typically mirroring New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) holidays)
• Holistic wellness program including Wellness Coaching and Reward Dollars
• Parental Leave: fifteen (15) days of paid parental leave per calendar year for eligible employees with at least one year of service at the time of birth, placement of an adopted child, or placement of a foster care child
• Adoption Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Back-Up Care Program
• PTO for Volunteer Hours
• Employee Matching Gifts Program
• Employee Resource Groups
• Inclusion and Diversity Programs
• Employee Recognition Program
• Referral Bonus Programs

Location & Work Arrangement

• Hybrid for candidates near Baltimore / Cedar Rapids / Denver / Philadelphia (3 days in office)
• Remote for candidates not near a core office location

Notes / Disclaimer

• This job description is not a contract of employment and the organization may change, add, remove, or revoke terms at its discretion.
• Managers may assign other duties and responsibilities as needed.
• In the event an employee or applicant requests an accommodation to perform job functions, the applicable HR Business Partner should be contacted to evaluate the accommodation request.

Scam Safety Reminder

Beware of fake job offers. The organization will not request personal information such as ID or payment for equipment upfront. Official offers are sent via DocuSign following a verbal offer—not through text or email.