AVP, Sr. Counsel, Leave Management & Statutory Disability

Lincoln Financial•Radnor, PA

5d•$127,500 - $232,300•Hybrid

About The Position

We're seeking an experienced AVP, Senior Counsel to lead a team responsible for providing legal guidance and compliance support for Group Protection's leave management and statutory disability products. In this role, you will provide strategic leadership, legal expertise, and regulatory oversight while partnering across the organization to support business objectives, ensure compliance, and drive innovation in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment. As a trusted advisor you will collaborate with partners across Product, Operations, Finance, Marketing, Underwriting, Claims, and Compliance to manage legal risk, support product development, and maintain compliance with federal and state leave laws. You will also represent Lincoln in interactions with regulators, industry groups, customers, and other external stakeholders.

Requirements

7+ years of legal experience in a large law firm, corporate legal department, or a combination of both.
J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.
Active membership in at least one state bar and in good standing.
Strong legal research, analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate effectively with legal colleagues, business partners, and senior leaders.
Proven ability to manage complex legal matters and balance business objectives with legal and regulatory requirements.

Nice To Haves

Experience advising on leave management and statutory disability products.
Knowledge of federal and state leave laws and the broader leave services regulatory framework.
Understanding of leave administration concepts, industry trends, and market developments.
Experience supporting insurance, employee benefits, or related financial services products.
Demonstrated leadership experience, including team management and development.

Responsibilities

Providing leadership and development opportunities to a team responsible for legal and compliance support for Group Protection's leave management and statutory disability products.
Monitoring and analyzing legislative and regulatory developments affecting leave and statutory disability programs, assessing the business impact, and advising stakeholders on emerging risks and opportunities.
Partnering with internal and external stakeholders to ensure products, services, and processes remain compliant with applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
Providing legal counsel on complex leave-related matters, including claims escalations, policy interpretation, leave agreements, and operational inquiries.
Conducting legal research and analysis regarding proposed and existing laws and regulations, and providing practical, business-focused recommendations.
Supporting multiple business functions that serve or impact leave management and statutory disability products.
Contributing to enterprise and business unit strategies involving leave-related legal, regulatory, and compliance matters.
Building and maintaining strong partnerships with business leaders through active engagement, consultation, and project participation.
Representing the organization in discussions with regulators, industry associations, and other external stakeholders on leave and statutory disability matters.
Preparing and delivering presentations to customers, brokers, industry groups, and internal audiences.
Serving as a subject matter expert on leave management, statutory disability programs, and related legal and regulatory requirements.
Identifying, assessing, and communicating legal, regulatory, and compliance risks to senior leadership in a timely and proactive manner.
Drafting, negotiating, reviewing, and approving customer agreements and other contracts related to leave programs.
Managing dispute resolution matters, regulatory inquiries, and commercial claims.
Providing strategic legal and business counsel to senior management and key stakeholders.
Supporting compliance programs and initiatives within Group Protection and across the enterprise.
Fostering a culture of compliance, integrity, accountability, and ethical decision-making.