Senior Counsel - Employee Benefits (Remote or Hybrid)

Overview

This position is an attorney role supporting the Legal Counsel team within the organization. You will be part of a group of four attorneys providing strategic legal guidance for the organization’s Protection Solutions and Savings & Investments businesses, with primary focus on the Employee Benefits division covering supplemental health products and employer-provided life insurance.

Preference is given to candidates near the organization’s key offices in Denver, Cedar Rapids, Baltimore, and 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 regulatory challenges such as:
  • 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.
• 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 matters requiring identification and evaluation of multiple factors.

Qualifications

• 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 for the intended audience.
• Sound judgment in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to adapt and remain agile when providing legal advice.
• Comfort working in a rapidly changing corporate environment.
• Proficiency using MS Office.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Action-oriented, timely, and organized; able to prioritize workload accurately with attention to detail.
• Demonstrates honesty, inclusion, and respect; open to and champions differing ideas and perspectives; collaborates in a fully 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.
• Experience developing and implementing creative, cost-effective, realistic solutions that support business impact and growth.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: Generally $165,000 - $185,000 annually.

• The salary range is a good faith estimate; actual starting pay is determined by 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.

Bonus: Typically eligible for an Annual Bonus based on the Company Bonus Plan/Individual Performance, at the organization’s discretion.

Benefits package (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).
• Wellness coaching and reward dollars through a holistic wellness program.
• 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: 3 days in office for candidates near Baltimore, Cedar Rapids, Denver, or Philadelphia.
• Remote: Remote location for candidates not near a core office location.