Associate Counsel

Sammons Financial Group•West Des Moines, IA

About The Position

This Associate Counsel role will support the Legal Department’s Life & Annuity Operations Team. This team focuses on supporting the individual life insurance and annuity businesses of Sammons Financial Group. This role involves acting as the business attorney for day-to-day issues related to new business, underwriting, policy administration, and product tax issues. The job may include the review and/or drafting of policy/contract forms, administrative forms, advertising material, and distribution agreements. The job description includes capabilities and skills that are not required for this job, such as securities, investments, and corporate governance – although knowledge of these areas will be helpful for the successful candidate.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate Degree from an ABA accredited law school Required
Minimum 3 years' relevant experience Preferred
Ability to think strategically, practically and holistically about appropriate legal solutions
Demonstrated ability to work efficiently and proactively on multiple projects under tight deadlines
Ability to collaborate with a variety of individuals in a professional, patient and responsive manner
Superior analytical, writing, oral communication, research, investigatory, advocacy, presentation and interpersonal skills
Demonstrated ability to identify and analyze legal issues and to apply known or researched rules of law
Demonstrated attention to detail, professional attitude and commitment to maintain confidentiality of records and information
A member in good standing of the Iowa Bar (or, admission to and in good standing with another bar enabling reciprocity and admission into the Iowa Bar) Required
Occasional travel between office locations and conferences required

Nice To Haves

Experience in life insurance, annuities or financial services industry Preferred

Responsibilities

Provide objective, thorough, timely and well-researched legal advice and counsel to business partners on legal matters, allowing management and key decision makers the ability to assess the legal risks of various courses of action to support Sammons Financial Group business initiatives and risk management strategies.
Provide legal advice and counsel on legal questions related to Sammons Financial Group to ensure compliance with new and existing state, federal and local laws, statutes and regulatory requirements. This includes reviewing new laws and regulations and supporting their implementation with business partners.
Provide legal advice and counsel on legal questions related to Sammons Financial Group’s business operations, including any one or more of the following areas of law and business units: corporate governance, human resources, intellectual property, privacy and cybersecurity, real estate, procurement and vendor management, claims management and litigation, agency services, compliance and other general insurance regulatory matters.
Provide legal advice and counsel on issues relating to the Iowa Holding Company Act, corporate governance, reinsurance and finance (e.g. debt capital markets, reserve financing transactions and investments). Manage reporting requirements under the Iowa Holding Company Act.
Provide legal advice and counsel on issues relating to product distribution, including through independent agents, insurance marketing organizations, broker dealers, registered investment advisers and banks and financial institutions.
Provide legal advice and counsel on in-force policy and contract issues, including underwriting, claims management, product taxation, distributions, grace and lapse and reinstatement.
Collaborate with other attorneys and professionals in the Legal Department in managing Sammons Financial Group’s exposure to regulatory fines and penalties or other sanctions; share knowledge and, where required, implement changes to company procedures as a result of litigation and regulatory outcomes.
Understand Sammons Financial Group strategy, business objectives and goals when providing legal advice and counsel.
Draft and review policy forms, legal correspondence, agreements, contracts and releases.
Develop relationships with outside legal counsel, as appropriate, and in collaboration with other attorneys in the Legal Department, manage outside counsel.
Commitment to embrace Sammons Financial Group Companies shared values (Accountability, Connection, Openness, Respect and Integrity).
As stated within the Company Attendance and Punctuality policy, regular attendance is required and expected in order to meet the business service levels and workflow demands.
Participate in other initiatives and/or projects as necessary.

Benefits

Sammons Financial Group offers a competitive benefit package that includes: Health, Dental, Vision, Company Paid Retirement, PTO and Holiday Pay.
Our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is a 100% company-funded retirement plan, so you can save for retirement without contributing a penny of your own paycheck.
Healthy balance between work and personal lives. Friday afternoons off all year long, competitive PTO, and generous number of paid holidays.
Our incentive program for defined goals subject to eligibility and performance. Monetary rewards are based on individual and/or overall company performance.

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