Principal Corporate Counsel: Employee Benefits & ERISA

Cisco•Research Triangle Park, NC

2d•$192,300 - $243,900•Hybrid

About The Position

Join Cisco’s People Legal Team and be a trusted and creative legal partner to Cisco’s People & Communities (HR) organization and the entire enterprise. You’ll pave pathways that will enhance Cisco’s employee experience and address complex issues. The People Legal Team consists of pragmatic lawyers and legal professionals responsible for the full portfolio of the company’s international employment and benefits law matters. We take pride in collectively thinking through the practical implications of risk and how to help run a company that is consistently ranked, throughout the world, as one of the best places to work. In this role, you’ll report to an Associate General Counsel Director, Employment Law. People Legal is part of a Cisco Legal organization with 500+ Legal and Compliance professionals in 25+ countries committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment as we work together to drive Cisco’s success. We serve as trusted advisors to the business – solving problems, navigating complexities, and enabling transformation along the way. We use technology to make life easier – leveraging Cisco’s innovative networking and collaboration tools to enable flexible, hybrid work. And we embrace the responsibility to be a force for good – donating our time and expertise through pro bono and community impact initiatives.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school with a strong academic record.
Active member in good standing of at least one U.S. State Bar.
7+ years of relevant legal experience, with a significant focus on ERISA and US Benefits law within a major law firm or a large multinational corporate legal department.
Consistent track record in handling benefits litigation and navigating sophisticated ERISA compliance issues, with an emphasis on providing practical mentorship.

Nice To Haves

A passion for benefits law and partnering with leaders, HR professionals, and team members to find solutions.
Strong business sense and the ability to balance legal risk with Cisco's innovative culture.
Ability to ask the right questions, think strategically, and question the status quo.
Excellent listening skills and understanding of client needs.
Self-starter, able to work independently.
Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
Experience in the technology sector or with high-growth, global companies.
Familiarity with applying AI-powered legal tools to improve research and operational efficiency.
Familiarity with issues such as employment litigation, hiring and termination counseling, and general employment compliance.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary legal architect for Cisco’s US Benefits programs, providing the strategic legal framework for health, welfare, and retirement programs.
Navigate the complexities of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code, providing expert fiduciary counseling to plan committees and ensuring programs meet high standards of governance.
Advise and support clients in all aspects of plan administration for employer-provided benefits, including filings, offerings, and plan documentation (e.g., SPDs).
Work on benefits contracts, including vendor agreements and marketing materials.
Lead the legal strategy for benefits-related litigation and administrative claims.
Partner with Global Benefits and Finance to proactively identify and mitigate risks.
Drive the benefits due diligence and integration strategy for mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, evaluating target company plans and supporting seamless transitions.
Act as a forward-looking scout for legislative shifts, interpreting and implementing new regulations (e.g., SECURE Act 2.0, evolving state-mandated programs).
Collaborate on cross-functional projects, contributing a well-rounded legal perspective to broader employment law initiatives.