Assistant General Counsel

Aon; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 170,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with employer contributions

Employee stock purchase plan

Long-term incentive consideration

Paid holidays

Paid vacation and sick leave

Job summary

Aon is seeking an Assistant General Counsel to serve as the Company's lead attorney on executive compensation, employee benefits, retirement programs, health and welfare plans, and related governance matters. This role partners with Executive Compensation, People Organization, and senior leaders to provide strategic legal counsel on the design, implementation, and governance of global programs.

This is a highly visible leadership position with exposure to senior executives and board matters,

Qualifications

• J.D. degree from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 7+ years of relevant legal experience including employee benefits and executive compensation.
• Experience with executive compensation rules, securities laws, ERISA, IRC, and related frameworks.
• Experience supporting public company governance and disclosures.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead attorney for executive compensation, employee benefits, and related programs.
• Provide risk-based legal advice to senior leadership and governance bodies.
• Advise on legal/regulatory developments affecting benefit plans and compensation arrangements.

Skills

Juris Doctor

Bar admission

7+ years experience

Executive compensation knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Employee benefits expertise

Education

J.D. degree

Job description

Assistant General Counsel

We are seeking a trusted advisor who combines deep technical expertise with sound business judgment and the ability to influence stakeholders across a complex, multinational organization. This role requires an experienced attorney who can navigate evolving legal and regulatory requirements while supporting the Company's talent, business, and governance objectives.

Aon is in the business of better decisions

At Aon, we shape decisions for the better to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world.

As an organization, we are united through trust as one inclusive team and we are passionate about helping our colleagues and clients succeed.

What the day will look like

The Assistant General Counsel - Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits serves as the Company's lead legal advisor on executive compensation, employee benefits, retirement programs, health and welfare plans, and related governance matters. This attorney partners closely with Executive Compensation, People Organization, Corporate Governance, Finance, Tax, Internal Audit, and senior business leaders to provide strategic legal counsel on the design, implementation, administration, and governance of Aon's executive compensation and global benefits programs.

Responsibilities

Strategic Legal Counsel

• Serve as the Company's lead attorney for all legal matters relating to executive compensation, employee benefits, and related employment programs.
• Provide practical, risk-based legal advice to executive leadership, People Organization, and other senior stakeholders.
• Advise on legal and regulatory developments affecting benefit plans and compensation arrangements and recommend appropriate actions.

Executive Compensation

• Advise on executive compensation programs, including annual and long-term incentive plans, equity compensation arrangements, deferred compensation plans, employment agreements, severance arrangements, and change-in-control programs.
• Counsel on compliance with applicable securities, tax, corporate governance, and disclosure requirements.
• Support preparation of proxy disclosures and other public filings relating to executive compensation.

Employee Benefits and Retirement Plans

• Counsel on the design, implementation, administration, amendment, and termination of qualified and nonqualified retirement plans.
• Advise on health and welfare plans, including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, wellness, and other employee benefit programs.
• Interpret and apply ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, and other applicable laws and regulations.
• Support plan fiduciaries and governance committees in fulfilling their obligations.

Corporate Transactions and Strategic Initiatives

• Lead benefits and compensation legal support for mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, restructurings, and other strategic transactions.
• Conduct legal due diligence and advise on integration and harmonization of employee benefit programs.
• Evaluate legal risks and opportunities arising from multinational workforce initiatives.

Governance and Compliance

• Develop and maintain governance frameworks for employee benefit and compensation programs.
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments and manage implementation of compliance initiatives.
• Partner with internal stakeholders and outside counsel regarding audits, investigations, regulatory inquiries, and litigation involving benefits-related matters.

How this opportunity is different

This is a highly visible leadership role providing direct exposure to senior executives and board-level matters. The Assistant General Counsel - Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits will play a critical role in shaping the Company's benefits and compensation strategy while helping advance broader talent, governance, and business objectives.

Skills and experience that will lead to success

Required

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 7+ years of relevant legal experience, including substantial experience advising on employee benefits and executive compensation matters.
• Significant experience with executive compensation rules, federal securities laws, ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, and related regulatory frameworks.
• Experience supporting public company governance and disclosure obligations.
• Exceptional analytical, drafting, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior executives and work effectively across complex organizations.

Preferred

• Experience in a large multinational corporation and/or nationally recognized law firm.
• Experience supporting Compensation Committees and Board governance processes.
• Familiarity with global benefits and international workforce considerations.
• Experience advising on benefits issues in mergers and acquisitions.

Leadership Competencies

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strategic thinking and business acumen
• Executive presence and sound judgment
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills
• Ability to simplify complex legal issues for business audiences
• Proactive risk identification and practical problem-solving
• Commitment to integrity, ethics, and corporate governance excellence

Pay Transparency Laws:

The salary range for this position (intended for U.S. applicants) is $170,000 to $220,000 annually. The actual salary will vary based on applicant's education, experience, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. The salary may also be adjusted based on applicant's geographic location.

A summary of all the benefits offered for this position:

Aon offers a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and regular part-time colleagues, including, but not limited to: a 401(k) savings plan with employer contributions; an employee stock purchase plan; consideration for long-term incentive awards at Aon's discretion; medical, dental and vision insurance, various types of leaves of absence, paid time off, including 12 paid holidays throughout the calendar year, 15 days of paid vacation per year, paid sick leave as provided under state and local paid sick leave laws, short-term disability and optional long-term disability, health savings account, health care and dependent care reimbursement accounts,employee and dependent life insurance and supplemental life and AD&D insurance; optional personal insurance policies, adoption assistance, tuition assistance, commuter benefits, and an employee assistance program that includes free counseling sessions. Eligibility for benefits is governed by the applicable plan documents and policies.