Senior Counsel - Employee Benefits (Remote or Hybrid)

Overview

This role supports the legal work of a team of four attorneys providing strategic legal guidance and support within the organization’s Protection Solutions and Savings & Investments businesses. The position primarily supports the Employee Benefits division focused on supplemental health products and employer provider life insurance.

Preference is given to candidates near one of the four key offices: Denver, Cedar Rapids, Baltimore, Philadelphia. Remote candidates will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and support in 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, and employer-provided life products.
• Prepare, review, and negotiate legal contracts, documents, and agreements, including marketing, distribution, administration, TPA, and/or vendor agreements (for review of 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 relevant changes in laws, rules, and regulations, particularly related to insurance regulations.
• As needed, support the organization’s Life Insurance division.
• Draft regulatory responses, disclosures, and other correspondence that may include market conduct issues from state and federal regulators (for review of senior team members).
• Collaborate with internal compliance teams to develop and implement policies and procedures to mitigate legal risks.
• Handle legal issues where analysis requires identification 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 a focus on supplemental health insurance, state insurance matters, and life insurance, with knowledge of relevant laws, rules, and regulations.
• Effective communication skills in writing and orally with the intended audience.
• Sound judgment in a fast-paced environment.
• Agility and adaptability in providing legal advice.
• Comfort working in a rapidly changing corporate environment.
• Proficient use of MS Office.
• Strong organizational and project management skills; ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Action oriented; timely and organized, with ability to prioritize workload with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Commitment to honesty, inclusion, and respect; open to and champions differing ideas and perspectives; collaborative in an inclusive manner.

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 with the ACA, HIPAA, and ERISA laws.
• Ability to apply innovative thinking to develop creative, cost-effective, realistic solutions that create business impact and support growth.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation

• Salary generally ranges between $165,000 - $185,000 annually.
• This salary range is a good faith estimate; actual starting pay is determined based on qualifications, experience, geography, work location designation (in-office, hybrid, remote), and operational needs.
• Salary may vary above and below the stated amounts as permitted by applicable law.
• Typically eligible for an Annual Bonus based on the Company Bonus Plan/Individual Performance, 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 the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) holidays).
• Holistic wellness program (“Be Well”), including Wellness Coaching and Reward Dollars.
• Parental Leave: fifteen (15) days of paid parental leave per calendar year to 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 & Working Conditions

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

Disclaimer

This job description is not a contract of employment nor for any specific job responsibilities. Responsibilities may be changed, added, removed, or revoked at the organization’s discretion. Managers may assign other duties and responsibilities as needed. If 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 Notice

Beware of fake job offers. The organization will never 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.