Assistant General Counsel, ERISA and Employee Benefits

Vanguard; Malvern (Chester County); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanguard seeks an experienced employee benefits attorney to join the HR Legal Services group, advising on U.S. and global employment and immigration issues. You will support global remuneration and executive compensation programs, partner with HR leaders and other functions, and manage outside counsel.

The role requires a JD, 10+ years of experience, and strong leadership with excellent communication. Vanguard emphasizes ethics, client service, and collaboration in a hybrid work environment in

Qualifications

• JD and active bar membership required.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant law firm, industry or government agency experience; in-house experience desirable.
• Deep expertise with ERISA, U.S. tax and employee benefits law advice, including fiduciary issues.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive independently in ambiguity; strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong leadership, judgment and relationship management.

Responsibilities

• Provide employee benefits, tax and ERISA fiduciary counsel on U.S. health, welfare, defined contribution retirement and executive compensation programs.
• Coordinate non-US employee benefits law advice for international programs as needed.
• Counsel HR clients on applicable legal, tax and regulatory considerations and litigation risks when designing, administering and changing benefits programs.
• Maintain a high level of expertise on laws, regulation, litigation and industry trends; participate in conferences and forums.
• Conduct legal research and prepare summaries, presentations and advisory materials.
• Lead, assist or support legal and corporate initiatives.
• Actively oversee and manage outside counsel work and billing.

Skills

ERISA expertise

Executive compensation

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Vanguard is a leading provider of financial products and services to individual and institutional investors globally. In addition, Vanguard is an employer of choice that continually invests in the growth, development and success of its employees (crew members) over the course of their Vanguard careers. Vanguard’s Office of the General Counsel addresses a wide range of complex and compelling legal and compliance issues. Vanguard seeks an employee benefits attorney for its HR Legal Services group that advises Vanguard’s human resources function on U.S. and global employment and immigration issues. This attorney will support and partner with Vanguard’s HR Global Total Rewards and Benefits leaders, as well as senior business leaders, to provide proactive and strategic legal advice regarding a wide range of U.S. and global employee benefits programs, including executive compensation and benefits. The attorney will work closely with Vanguard’s tax and procurement law groups, as well as Vanguard’s finance and treasury functions.

Responsibilities

• Primary attorney providing employee benefits, tax and ERISA fiduciary law counseling on U.S. health and welfare, defined contribution retirement savings and executive compensation programs, as well as global remuneration and bonus programs.
• As needed, coordinate non-US employee benefits law advice for non-US benefits programs.
• Provide counseling and education to internal HR clients, regarding applicable legal, tax, and regulatory considerations, as well as litigation risks, when designing, administering and changing employee benefits programs.
• Maintain an extremely high level of expertise regarding laws, regulatory developments, litigation, industry trends, and practices that may affect Vanguard’s business and benefit programs. Participate in select conferences and industry forums.
• Conduct legal and/or factual research as necessary to support legal advice, and prepare related summaries, presentations, and other advisory materials.
• Lead, assist and/or provide support for legal and other corporate initiatives.
• Actively oversee and manage outside counsel work and billing.

Qualifications and Experience

• Law degree (JD) and active bar membership required
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant law firm, industry or government agency experience; in-house experience desirable
• Deep expertise and experience with ERISA, U.S. tax and employee benefits law advice, including ERISA fiduciary issues, and executive non-qualified deferred compensation is required; experience with non-U.S. benefit plans and supporting public policy | government affairs highly desirable
• Demonstrated ability to thrive and work independently when dealing with ambiguity. Track record of significant accomplishments. Superior verbal and written communication skills
• Strong leadership skills, exceptional judgment and relationship management skills

Candidates must share Vanguard’s core values, including unmatched ethical standards and client service, strong work ethic, and ‘can-do’ attitude. Candidates must foster a team environment by building collaborative, trusting relationships and advancing the development and success of others.

Candidates must be skilled at successfully collaborating with, enabling, working through, and influencing legal colleagues, in-house corporate partners, and business clients at all levels, including senior management.

Vanguard is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.

About Vanguard

At Vanguard, we don't just have a mission—we're on a mission. To work for the long-term financial wellbeing of our clients. To lead through product and services that transform our clients' lives. To learn and develop our skills as individuals and as a team. From Malvern to Melbourne, our mission drives us forward and inspires us to be our best.

How We Work

Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission-driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long-term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.