Associate Senior Counsel-Employment, Benefits and Compensation Law

The Cigna Group; St. Louis (MO); Hybrid; USD 152,500 - 254,100; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health benefits

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

A prominent healthcare company is seeking an Associate Senior Counsel to join their Employment, Benefits and Compensation Law team. The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of experience in employment and benefits law, providing legal support for complex corporate transactions and ensuring compliance with ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code. This hybrid role requires being in the office three days a week and offers competitive salary and comprehensive health benefits.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of relevant experience in employment and benefits law is required.
• Prior in-house counsel experience preferred but not required.
• Willingness to travel occasionally.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal support on employment, benefits, and compensation matters in corporate transactions.
• Advising on qualified retirement plans compliance.
• Counseling on executive compensation matters.
• Drafting and reviewing employee benefit plan documents.
• Monitoring legal and regulatory developments.

Skills

Legal experience in employment and benefits law

Strong knowledge of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code

Excellent drafting and communication skills

Ability to work collaboratively in a corporate environment

Analytical skills

Ability to manage sensitive matters

Prior in-house counsel experience

Willingness to travel occasionally

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Job description

Associate Senior Counsel-Employment, Benefits and Compensation Law

Join to apply for the Associate Senior Counsel-Employment, Benefits and Compensation Law role at The Cigna Group.

We are seeking a seasoned legal professional to join our Employment, Benefits and Compensation Law team. This role will provide legal support to HR and business leaders in complex corporate transactions, provide counsel to internal clients relating to ERISA, tax and compensation legal matters, and ensure compliance with applicable benefits and compensation laws.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal support on employment, benefits, and compensation matters arising in connection with corporate M&A transactions, including due diligence, negotiation and drafting of relevant transaction documents, and post-closing integration support.
• Advise on qualified retirement plans and compliance with ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code rules and regulations.
• Counsel on executive compensation matters, including equity incentive plans, employment and severance agreements and restrictive covenant agreements.
• Address benefits and compensation-related tax issues including non-qualified deferred compensation matters under IRC Section 409A.
• Provide legal support to ERISA fiduciary committees and serve as secretary at committee meetings.
• Draft and review various employee benefit plan documents and communications to plan participants.
• Partner with internal stakeholders including Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, other Legal subgroups, Corporate Development, and Tax.
• Monitor and interpret legal and regulatory developments affecting employee benefits and compensation.
• Assist in internal policy development and support training initiatives.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school; admission to at least one U.S. state bar.
• 8+ years of relevant legal experience in employment and benefits law.
• Prior in-house counsel experience preferred but not required.
• Strong knowledge of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, and related regulations.
• Experience advising on Section 409A and executive compensation matters.
• Excellent drafting, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across functions in a large corporate environment.
• Ability to prioritize and act with urgency when appropriate.
• Ability to evaluate complex issues and make appropriate recommendations to leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive matters with discretion and sound judgment.
• Willingness to travel occasionally.
• Hybrid role – requires being in an office 3 days a week.

If you will be working at home occasionally or permanently, the internet connection must be obtained through a cable broadband or fiber optic internet service provider with speeds of at least 10Mbps download/5Mbps upload.

For this position, we anticipate offering an annual salary of 152,500 - 254,100 USD per year, depending on relevant factors, including experience and geographic location.

This role is also anticipated to be eligible to participate in an annual bonus and long term incentive plan.

We want you to be healthy, balanced, and feel secure. That’s why you’ll enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits, with a focus on supporting your whole health. Starting on day one of your employment, you’ll be offered several health-related benefits including medical, vision, dental, and well‑being and behavioral health programs. We also offer 401(k) with company match, company paid life insurance, tuition reimbursement, a minimum of 18 days of paid time off per year and paid holidays. For more details on our employee benefits programs, visit Life at Cigna Group.

Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, age, disability, sex, childbirth (including pregnancy) or related medical conditions including but not limited to lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital or familial status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by applicable equal employment opportunity laws. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing the online application process, please email: [e-mail] for support. Do not email [e-mail] for an update on your application or to provide your resume as you will not receive a response. The Cigna Group has a tobacco‑free policy and reserves the right not to hire tobacco/nicotine users in states where that is legally permissible. Candidates in such states who use tobacco/nicotine will not be considered for employment unless they enter a qualifying smoking cessation program prior to the start of their employment. Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with all federal, state and local ordinances.