Senior Counsel - Employee Benefits (Remote or Hybrid)

Overview

This role supports the organization’s Employee Benefits division, focused on supplemental health products and employer-provided life insurance. You will join a team of four attorneys providing strategic legal guidance and support within the Protection Solutions and Savings & Investments businesses.

Preference is given to candidates near one of the core offices in Denver, Cedar Rapids, Baltimore, or Philadelphia, but 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 such as:
  • State-based claims processing requirements
  • Benefit coordination with group health plans
  • Benefit triggers and eligibility
  • The application of ERISA’s preemption clause to state insurance mandates
• Advise on legal risks and potential impacts of business decisions, as well as escalated claims and consumer complaints.
• Monitor, review, and interpret changes in laws, rules, and regulations, particularly those related to insurance regulations.
• Provide as-needed support to 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.
• Work on legal issues requiring 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 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 for the intended audience
• Sound judgment in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to adapt and provide legal advice in changing circumstances
• Comfort working in a rapidly changing corporate environment
• Proficiency using MS Office
• Effective organizational and project management skills; ability to manage multiple priorities
• Action-oriented, timely, organized approach with ability to prioritize workload accurately with 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 with the ACA, HIPAA and ERISA laws
• Innovative thinking to assist the business in generating and implementing creative, cost-effective, realistic solutions that create business impact and support growth

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary generally ranges between $165,000 - $185,000 annually.
  • Actual starting pay is determined by several factors including 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.
• Annual Bonus: Typically eligible based on the Company Bonus Plan/Individual Performance; eligibility is at the company’s discretion.

Benefits (for eligible employees) include:

• Pension Plan
• 401k Match
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Disability Insurance
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Employee Discounts
• Career Training & Development Opportunities
• 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)
• Be Well Company 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 & Working Conditions

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

Additional Information

• This job description is not a contract of employment and responsibilities may change 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.