Description:
An American Publicly Traded Biopharmaceutical Company is seeking an experienced in-house Corporate Counsel specializing in Employee Benefits to join our team. This role will support our Total Rewards and various other business units and engage with other legal colleagues to ensure compliance with our benefits/compensation laws including ERISA, tax regulations, and securities requirements. Individual must possess strong experience with qualified retirement and health and welfare benefits with exposure to executive compensation arrangements.While remote candidates will be considered, those located near our headquarters in Lake County, Illinois, are highly preferred.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide expert advice and guidance on a wide range of compensation and employee benefits matters, encompassing health and welfare, retirement plans, and executive compensation arrangements.
- Offer counsel on ERISA and Internal Revenue Code mandates pertaining to employee benefits, including ACA, HIPAA, and COBRA compliance.
- Advise on defined contribution (401(k)), defined benefit pension, and non-qualified deferred compensation plans.
- Assist in managing post-transaction benefit plan integration activities.
- Draft, review, and revise plan documents and amendments, trust agreements, summary plan descriptions, and employee communications and disclosures.
- Support benefit plan governance and fiduciary matters, such as advising on benefit claims and appeals and assisting with committee operations and minutes.
- Help oversee equity compensation program, including advice on employee stock purchase plan, stock administration, equity award agreements, and granting equity outside of the U.S.
- Assist client business groups with vendor and consulting contract review and negotiation.
Qualifications:
- JD degree from an accredited law school, state bar admission enabling in-house practice (specific state not required).
- 5+ years of relevant experience preferred.
- Thorough understanding of employee benefits, compensation, ERISA, and tax regulations and laws.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate and think analytically.
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects to meet deadlines.
