Senior Counsel, Executive Compensation & Employee Benefits

Phillips 66 • Houston, TX

7d • $238,500 - $291,500

About The Position

Phillips 66 is seeking a Senior Counsel, Executive Compensation & Employee Benefits to join their Corporate Legal Services department. This role provides legal advice across three core practice areas: executive compensation, health and welfare benefits, and retirement benefits. The position reports to the Deputy General Counsel – Corporate and involves working with colleagues in a large corporate law department of a publicly traded, international energy company.

Requirements

• Legally authorized to work in the job posting country.
• J.D. Degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association
• 6 or more years of legal experience in executive compensation and employee benefits matters
• A member in good standing of any U.S. Bar
• Travel up to 5% of the time

Nice To Haves

• 8 or more years of legal experience in executive compensation and employee benefits matters
• Experience across executive compensation, health and welfare benefits, and retirement/ERISA matters
• Thorough working knowledge and experience providing legal advice and services in connection with corporate compensation and benefits programs, claims, and appropriate statutes
• Experience with SEC disclosure requirements related to executive compensation
• Superior negotiation, presentation, collaboration, and diplomacy skills with mature judgment and discretion
• Ability to manage and prioritize assignments which may be broad in scope and complexity and which involve collaborative work with a team of highly experienced lawyers, as well as employees in different departments and/or with varying degrees of seniority
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate with internal business clients, support staff, and external resources such as outside counsel and other collaborators
• Ability to work well under pressure, meet deadlines, and function independently without extensive supervision
• Ability to learn quickly and apply company policies, procedures, operations, and industry practices
• Strong individual initiative, discipline and commitment to superior performance and continuous improvement

Responsibilities

• Providing legal advice and services in connection with the design, implementation, and administration of executive compensation programs, including equity-based compensation plans, annual and long-term incentive plans, deferred compensation arrangements, employment agreements, severance arrangements, and change-in-control provisions.
• Advising on compliance with Sections 409A, 280G, and 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and related regulations.
• Supporting the preparation of compensation-related disclosures for the annual proxy statement and other SEC filings, including CD&A, pay-versus-performance, and compensation tables.
• Advising on compensation committee matters and corporate governance best practices related to executive pay.
• Providing legal advice and services in connection with the design and operation of Phillips 66’s welfare benefit plans, including medical, dental, EAP, flexible spending, life insurance, AD&D, long-term disability, short-term disability, severance, and any changes associated therewith.
• Ensuring corporate compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), HIPAA, COBRA, Mental Health Parity, and other applicable federal and state laws.
• Providing legal advice regarding initiatives such as incentives for compliance with wellness programs, dependent audits, and changes to retiree medical benefits.
• Reviewing vendor contracts for benefits-related issues and insurance contracts for insured benefits.
• Providing legal advice and services in connection with the design and operation of Phillips 66’s qualified retirement plans, including pension and 401(k)/savings plans.
• Ensuring compliance with ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, and related regulations governing qualified plans.
• Reviewing ERISA-mandated communications and reports such as summary plan descriptions, annual reports, and participant notices.
• Reviewing responses to benefits claims and appeals.

Benefits

• Annual Variable Cash Incentive Program (VCIP) bonus
• 8% 401k company match
• Cash Balance Account pension
• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits with an annual company contribution to a Health Savings Account for employees on HDHP
• Total well-being programs and incentives, including Employee Assistance Plan, well-being reimbursement, and backup family care services

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree