Principal Corporate Counsel: Employee Benefits & ERISA

Cisco•Rtp, NC

1d•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

Attorney with a real passion for benefits law.
Love partnering with leaders, HR professionals and Cisco team members to find the best 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 willingness to question the status quo.
Ability to listen to and understand the needs of clients.
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.
Provide the strategic legal framework that allows Cisco to offer world-class health, welfare, and retirement programs that attract and retain the best talent in the tech industry.
Navigate the complexities of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code, providing expert fiduciary counseling to plan committees and ensuring our programs meet the highest standards of governance.
Advise and support clients in all aspects of plan administration for employer-provided benefits, including filings, offerings, and plan documentation including SPDs.
Work on benefits contracts including vendor agreements and marketing material.
Lead the legal strategy for benefits-related litigation and administrative claims.
Partner with Global Benefits and Finance to proactively identify and mitigate risks before they escalate, ensuring Cisco’s benefits engine runs efficiently and stays ahead of the regulatory curve.
Drive the benefits due diligence and integration strategy for mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.
Evaluate target company plans, identify potential liabilities, and support the seamless transition of benefits for newly acquired talent.
Act as a forward-looking scout for legislative shifts.
Interpret and implement sophisticated new regulations—such as the SECURE Act 2.0 and evolving state-mandated retirement or paid leave programs—ensuring Cisco remains a first-mover in compliance and plan design.
Act as a key collaborator on cross-functional projects.
Contribute to broader employment law initiatives, helping the team solve "unsolvable" problems at the intersection of law, culture, and business.

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution
Paid parental leave
Short-term disability coverage
Long-term disability coverage
Basic life insurance
Cisco restricted stock units
10 paid holidays per full calendar year
1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees
1 paid day off for employee’s birthday
Paid year-end holiday shutdown
4 paid days off for personal wellness
16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year (for non-exempt employees)
Flexible vacation time off program (for exempt employees)
80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter
Up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to the next
Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members
Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer
Annual bonuses (for non-sales roles)
Performance-based incentive pay (for sales roles)