Description:

About the role:
The Assistant General Counsel will handle a wide array of legal issues for CRBG Retirement Services related to its offering of retirement products and services primarily in the not-for-profit group retirement market. The role will provide legal support relating to retirement plan operations, recordkeeping services, product offerings and other products and services, as necessary. This role will require working closely with senior business, risk and compliance professionals in addressing day-to-day legal issues involving CRBG Retirement Services.

Specific Responsibilities:

Provide support on a wide range of legal and regulatory issues arising from CRBG Retirement Services' retirement businesses primarily with a focus on IRS, ERISA, DOL and state insurance law issues that impact financial services products and services in the not-for-profit group retirement plan market and retail market, including variable and fixed annuities, advisory accounts, mutual funds and other retirement solutions.
Provide support on issues relating to plan acquisition and administration, annuity product development, recordkeeping services, broker dealer and investment advisor operations, transfer agent operations, and defined contribution retirement plan compliance.
Work with non-qualified deferred compensation plans, including design, implementation and ongoing administration. Partner with business lines and plan document unit to support plan design, eligibility criteria, and participant communications. Ensure compliance with Section 409A of the tax code and other applicable regulations.
Collaborate across the organization including with peers across Legal, Risk and Compliance and all levels of staff to ensure consistency of approach and practice across business lines.
Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including Plan Sponsor Service Provider Agreements and insurance contract amendments, riders and endorsements to align with state insurance laws.
Identify multiple courses of action and make risk-based recommendations in the context of the broader organizational culture, with a willingness to develop and adapt in role as needed in an evolving corporate environment.
Advise on and manage legal matters supporting CRBG Retirement Services business operations, consumer complaint responses, and other legal inquiries.
Support business growth and retention initiatives by leading legal review and response efforts for plan sponsor requests for proposals (RFPs) and related acquisition opportunities.
Monitor and analyze legislative and regulatory developments, deliver practical legal guidance, and partner with business stakeholders to implement changes necessary to comply with new or evolving legal and regulatory requirements.

Skills and Qualifications:

In-house experience within the financial services and/or retirement plans services industry, working with or supporting retirement plan providers and related investment arrangements. Ideally, prior experience will include working with a financial services company serving the not-for-profit group retirement plan markets through the provision of products, services and captive distribution
Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment and to find creative solutions on diverse matters requiring complex legal and strategic analysis
Ability to serve as a trusted advisor, strategic partner and collaborator with peers, leaders, and business partners
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong ability to advocate in writing and orally, and ability to deliver clear legal advice to wide variety of audiences; Strong organizational and project management skills
Working knowledge of annuities, mutual funds, and/or other retail financial products, ERISA, DOL and IRS legal frameworks as they apply to retirement products and services
Many years of experience as in-house counsel in a relevant business environment with subject matter expertise in the group retirement plans including tax regulations, ERISA, product and operational compliance, combined with strong business acumen
Knowledge of state laws applicable to retirement products and services
Involvement handling regulatory exams and investigations
JD Required and admittance to at least one bar