Associate Senior Counsel-Employment, Benefits and Compensation Law

Cigna • Bloomfield, CT

68d • Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a seasoned legal professional to join our Employment, Benefits and Compensation Law team. This role will provide legal support to HR and business leaders in complex corporate transactions, provide counsel to internal clients relating to ERISA, tax and compensation legal matters, and ensure compliance with applicable benefits and compensation laws.

Requirements

• J.D. from an accredited law school; admission to at least one U.S. state bar
• 8+ years of relevant legal experience in employment and benefits law
• Strong knowledge of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, and related regulations
• Experience advising on Section 409A and executive compensation matters
• Excellent drafting, analytical, and communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively across functions in a large corporate environment
• Ability to prioritize and act with urgency when appropriate
• Ability to evaluate complex issues and make appropriate recommendations to leaders
• Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive matters with discretion and sound judgment
• Willingness to travel occasionally
• Hybrid role- requires being in an office 3 days a week.
• If you will be working at home occasionally or permanently, the internet connection must be obtained through a cable broadband or fiber optic internet service provider with speeds of at least 10Mbps download/5Mbps upload.

Nice To Haves

• Prior in-house counsel experience preferred but not required

Responsibilities

• Provide legal support on employment, benefits, and compensation matters arising in connection with corporate M&A transactions, including due diligence, negotiation and drafting of relevant transaction documents, and post-closing integration support
• Advise on qualified retirement plans and compliance with ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code rules and regulations
• Counsel on executive compensation matters, including equity incentive plans, employment and severance agreements and restrictive covenant agreements
• Address benefits and compensation-related tax issues including non-qualified deferred compensation matters under IRC Section 409A
• Provide legal support to ERISA fiduciary committees and serve as secretary at committee meetings
• Draft and review various employee benefit plan documents and communications to plan participants
• Partner with internal stakeholders including Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, other Legal subgroups, Corporate Development, and Tax
• Monitor and interpret legal and regulatory developments affecting employee benefits and compensation
• Assist in internal policy development and support training initiatives

Benefits

• Starting on day one of your employment, you'll be offered several health-related benefits including medical, vision, dental, and well-being and behavioral health programs.
• We also offer 401(k) with company match, company paid life insurance, tuition reimbursement, a minimum of 18 days of paid time off per year and paid holidays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees