Assistant General Counsel – Retirement & Employee Benefits

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Act as the primary legal advisor for Empower’s defined benefit and multiemployer (Taft-Hartley) sector.

• Provide legal support for the operations and expansion of defined benefit and multiemployer businesses.

• Offer counsel on intricate ERISA, tax, fiduciary, administrative, operational, compliance, and regulatory issues.

• Assist with product enhancements, operational advancements, strategic projects, and client solutions.

• Guide the development, enhancement, and administration of retirement and employee benefit products and services.

• Collaborate with teams in Product, Operations, Client Service, Sales, Investments, Marketing, Compliance, Risk Management, Finance, Technology, and others.

• Establish legal frameworks, governance procedures, and compliance protocols.

• Provide advice on defined benefit plan qualification, design, administration, funding, freezes, mergers, spin-offs, and terminations.

• Deliver legal insights on recordkeeping, trust and custody, administrative services, participant services, and investment-related offerings.

• Support health and welfare plans alongside consumer-directed healthcare arrangements.

• Assist with defined contribution plans, IRAs, rollover solutions, and other retirement offerings.

• Counsel on operational and fiduciary correction issues, including EPCRS and Department of Labor correction initiatives.

• Keep track of legislative, regulatory, and industry changes, translating requirements into actionable guidance.

• Assist in negotiations related to retirement plan services and associated commercial agreements.

• Lead intricate cross-functional projects and influence decision-making within a matrixed organization.

• Cultivate collaborative relationships and provide practical, business-oriented legal advice.

⛳️ Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law institution.

• Valid license to practice law.

• Over 12 years of pertinent legal experience.

• Established expertise in advising on defined benefit plans and multiemployer (Taft-Hartley) plans.

• Proficient in plan qualification, funding, administration, fiduciary matters, operational compliance, correction programs, ERISA, and tax-related issues.

• Familiarity with advising on health and welfare plans and relevant employee benefits legislation.

• Experience in advising on defined contribution plans, IRAs, and other retirement savings vehicles.

• Comprehensive knowledge of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, Treasury regulations, IRS and Department of Labor guidance, and other laws governing retirement and employee benefit plans.

• Capability to translate complex legal requirements into practical, business-centric advice.

• Proven experience in collaborating with business leaders and influencing decisions across various business functions.

• Strong judgment and ability to navigate intricate legal and business challenges.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities.

• Candidates must have authorization to work for any employer in the U.S.; employment visa sponsorship is not available, including CPT/OPT.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.

• 401(k) plan with generous company matching contributions (up to 6%).

• Financial advisory services.

• Potential discretionary contributions from the company.

• Extensive investment options.

• Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 per year.

• Business-casual work environment with the option to wear jeans.

• Generous paid time off upon hiring.

• Paid time off program.

• Ten paid company holidays and three floating holidays each calendar year.

• Paid volunteer time — 16 hours per calendar year.

• Paid parental leave.

• Paid short- and long-term disability.

• Family and Medical Leave (FMLA).

• Business Resource Groups (BRGs) accessible to all employees.

• Flexible work environment.

• Necessary computer equipment provided.