Associate General Counsel - Employment Law

New York Life Insurance; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 185,000 - 264,000; Full time

Job summary

New York Life seeks an Assistant General Counsel to join the Employment Law team, advising HR and business units on a full range of employment matters. You will draft policies, supervise outside counsel, and handle agency filings.

The role requires a JD and NY Bar, with at least four years of related experience, and a strong capability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment. You will counsel on hiring, terminations, leaves, accommodations, wage/hour, investigations, immigration,

Qualifications

• JD is required and must be active in NY
• Admission to the New York State Bar is required
• At least four years of related employment law experience is required

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and counsel on all employment-related issues (hiring, performance, employee relations, terminations, leaves, accommodations, wage/hour, investigations, compensation, immigration)
• Draft and implement workplace policies with HR and other functions
• Manage outside counsel on disputes
• Draft statements to EEOC/state HR agencies and to DOL
• Represent the company before administrative agencies
• Monitor employment laws to ensure policy compliance
• Draft employment/ severance agreements and other related documents
• Evaluate visa eligibility and prepare/file employment-based petitions with outside counsel

Skills

JD required

Bar admission NYS

Legal experience

Written & verbal comms

Interpersonal skills

Executive presence

Strategic thinking

Multi-project management

Independent decision-making

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Location Designation: Hybrid - 3 days per week

Join the Office of the General Counsel where we collaborate with diverse business units, providing effective and creative legal guidance that aligns with New York Life's core values. Your work directly impacts how the company makes decisions, fostering sound business practices, safeguarding its reputation, and optimizing efficiency. Become part of a team dedicated to serving as a trusted partner, helping the business navigate the legal landscape and achieve its goals.

Role Overview

The Assistant General Counsel will be a member of the employment law team to provide advice and counsel to the Human Resources Department and to the businesses.

What You’ll Do

• As a member of the Employment Law practice team provide legal advice and counseling on all employment related issues, including hiring, performance management, employee relations, terminations, leaves of absence and accommodations, wage and hour, internal investigations, compensation, and immigration matters
• Draft, develop and implement workplace policies in collaboration with Human Resources and other functions
• Work with and manage outside counsel on employment related disputes
• Draft position statements to the EEOC, state human rights organizations, DOL
• Represent Company before administrative agencies
• Actively monitor employment related legislation to ensure Company policies are compliant with the law
• Draft employment agreements, severance agreements and other employment related agreements
• Working with outside counsel evaluate eligibility of employees for visa status and prepare and file employment-based nonimmigrant and immigrant petitions

What You’ll Bring

• JD required
• Admission to the New York State Bar
• At least four years of related experience
• Superior written and oral communications skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and executive presence
• A well-balanced consultative approach and the ability to work with business and legal colleagues across all levels
• Demonstrated ability to approach issues with both a rigorous attention to detail and a big picture strategic focus
• Strong cross-functional risk spotting skills
• Proven record of prioritizing multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines
• High level of integrity with strong decision-making skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced team environment
• Ability and experience making independent decisions

Pay Transparency

Salary Range: $185,000 - $264,000

Overtime eligible: Exempt

Discretionary bonus eligible: Yes

Sales bonus eligible: No

Actual base salary will be determined based on several factors but not limited to individual’s experience, skills, qualifications, and job location. Additionally, employees are eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. In addition to base salary, employees may also be eligible to participate in an incentive program.

Company Overview

At New York Life, our 180-year legacy of purpose and integrity fuels our future. As we evolve into a more technology-, data-, and AI-enabled organization, we remain grounded in the values that drive lasting impact.

Our diverse business portfolio creates opportunities to make a difference across industries and communities—inviting bold thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and purpose-driven innovation. Here, you’ll find the rare balance of long-standing stability and forward momentum, supported by an inclusive team that honors tradition while embracing progress.

As a Fortune 100 mutual company, we offer a place to grow your skills, contribute to meaningful work, and deliver solutions that matter. Your ideas drive what’s next, and your growth powers it.

Our Benefits

We provide a full package of benefits for employees – and have unique offerings for a modern workforce, including leave programs, adoption assistance, and student loan repayment programs. Based on feedback from our employees, we continue to refine and add benefits to our offering, so that you can flourish both inside and outside of work. Click here to discover more about our comprehensive benefit options or visit our NYL Benefits Site.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

At New York Life, fostering an inclusive workplace is fundamental to who we are and how we serve our communities. We have a longstanding commitment to creating an environment where individuals can contribute their best and succeed together. This foundation is rooted in our core values of humanity and integrity, ensuring that every employee feels valued and supported. By embracing a broad range of perspectives and experiences, we achieve greater success and fulfill our promise of providing financial security and peace of mind to families across all communities. Click here to learn more about New York Life’s leadership in this space.

Recognized as one of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies, New York Life is committed to improving local communities through a culture of employee giving and volunteerism, supported by theFoundation.We're proud that due to our mutuality, we operate in the best interests of our policy owners. To learn more about career opportunities at New York Life, please visit the Careers page of www.NewYorkLife.com.

Visit our LinkedIn to see how our employees and agents are leading the industry and impacting communities.

Visit our Newsroom to learn more about how our company is constantly evolving to meet our clients' and employees’ needs.

Job Requisition ID: 93244