Counsel - Employee Benefits Division

Protective Life; United States; On-site; USD 145,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Pension plan

ProHealth Rewards

Incentive opportunities

Job summary

Protective Life is seeking a highly motivated compliance professional with a JD to support its Employee Benefits Division, focusing on PFML and other group benefits.

You will partner with Product, Operations, Claims, Underwriting, Actuarial, Distribution, and Legal to identify requirements, assess risks, and ensure ongoing regulatory compliance. We value a proactive problem-solver with strong communication who can translate complex laws into practical guidance.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Licensed and in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Approximately five years of relevant professional experience (or equivalent).
• Strong legal research, analytical, issue-spotting, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including translating complex legal and regulatory requirements into practical business guidance.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with cross-functional stakeholders, learn new subject matter quickly, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Monitor, analyze, and interpret state and federal laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance impacting PFML, disability, and other employee benefits products.
• Provide regulatory and compliance guidance to business stakeholders regarding product, operational, claims, distribution, and implementation matters.
• Support the development, launch, and ongoing administration of employee benefits products, including PFML, disability, and other group insurance offerings.
• Review policy forms, certificates, riders, marketing materials, training materials, and business processes for compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct regulatory research and support insurance department filings and reporting, regulatory inquiries, examinations, complaints, claim appeals, arbitrations, and other regulatory matters.
• Partner with Product, Operations, Claims, Compliance, Actuarial, Underwriting, Distribution, Marketing, and Compliance/Legal colleagues to identify compliance risks and develop practical business solutions.
• Serve as the Compliance representative on cross-functional projects, strategic initiatives, and product development efforts.
• Develop and deliver training, guidance, and educational materials regarding regulatory requirements and emerging compliance issues affecting employee benefits products.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments through trade associations and prepare impact assessments and recommendations for business stakeholders.
• Support the development and maintenance of compliance policies, procedures, controls, and governance processes designed to promote regulatory compliance and effective risk management.

Skills

Regulatory analysis

Legal research

Analytical thinking

Issue spotting

Effective communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

The work we do has an impact on millions of lives, and you can be a part of it.

We help protect our customers against life’s uncertainties. Regardless of where you work within the company, you’ll be helping provide protection and peace of mind when our customers need it most.

Protective is seeking a highly motivated compliance professional with approximately five years of relevant experience (or equivalent) to support its growing Employee Benefits Division. A Juris Doctor (J.D.) is required due to the significant legal and regulatory analysis involved in the role.

This position serves as a key compliance/regulatory advisor supporting statutory state Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) private plan insurance products, and other group employee benefits products (life insurance, ad&d, disability, dental and supplemental health). The role partners closely with Product, Operations, Claims, Underwriting, Actuarial, Distribution, and other Compliance/Legal stakeholders to identify regulatory requirements, assess compliance/regulatory risks, support product development and operational initiatives, and help ensure ongoing compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

The successful candidate will be a proactive problem-solver with strong analytical and communication skills who can quickly develop subject matter expertise and provide practical, business-oriented guidance in a highly regulated and evolving environment.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Monitor, analyze, and interpret state and federal laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance impacting statutory PFML, disability, and other employee benefits products
• Provide regulatory and compliance guidance to business stakeholders regarding product, operational, claims, distribution, and implementation matters
• Support the development, launch, and ongoing administration of employee benefits products, including PFML, disability, and other group insurance offerings
• Review policy forms, certificates, riders, marketing materials, training materials, and business processes for compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements
• Conduct regulatory research and support insurance department filings and reporting, regulatory inquiries, examinations, complaints, claim appeals, arbitrations, and other regulatory matters
• Partner with Product, Operations, Claims, Compliance, Actuarial, Underwriting, Distribution, Marketing, and Compliance/Legal colleagues to identify compliance risks and develop practical business solutions
• Serve as the Compliance representative on cross-functional projects, strategic initiatives, and product development efforts
• Develop and deliver training, guidance, and educational materials regarding regulatory requirements and emerging compliance issues affecting employee benefits products
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments through trade associations and prepare impact assessments and recommendations for business stakeholders
• Support the development and maintenance of compliance policies, procedures, controls, and governance processes designed to promote regulatory compliance and effective risk management

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school
• Licensed and in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
• Approximately five years of relevant professional experience (or equivalent)
• Strong legal research, analytical, issue-spotting, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex legal and regulatory requirements into practical business guidance
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with cross-functional stakeholders, learn new subject matter quickly, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

Strongly Preferred

• Meaningful experience supporting employee benefits products, including statutory PFML, disability insurance, group insurance, leave management, accident and health insurance, or related employee benefits products
• Insurance industry experience, with experience at an insurance carrier or law firm practice focused on insurance regulatory matters. Insurance litigation experience alone may not qualify
• Experience interpreting and applying state and federal insurance laws and regulations and providing compliance, regulatory, or legal guidance in support of insurance products and business operations

Employee Benefits:

We aim to protect the wellbeing of our employees and their families with a broad benefits offering. In addition to offering comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance, we support emotional wellbeing through mental health benefits and an employee assistance program. Work/life balance is important and Protective offers a variety of paid time away benefits (e.g., paid time off, paid parental leave, short-term disability, and a cultural observance day). The financial health of our employees is just as important as physical and emotional health. Some of the financial wellbeing benefits include contributions to healthcare accounts, a pension plan, and a 401(k) plan with Company matching. All employees are encouraged to protect their overall wellbeing by engaging in ProHealth Rewards, Protective’s platform to improve wellbeing while earning cash rewards.

Eligibility for certain benefits may vary by position in accordance with the terms of the Company’s benefit plans.

Accommodations for Applicants with a Disability:

If you require an accommodation to complete the application and recruitment process due to a disability, please email [e-mail]. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application and recruitment process.

Please note that the above email is solely for individuals with disabilities requesting an accommodation. General employment questions should not be sent through this process.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to being inclusive and attracting, retaining, and growing an inclusive workforce.

Protective’s targeted compensation for this position is $145k-$180k. Actual salaries may vary depending on factors, including but not limited to, job location, skills, and experience. The range listed is just one component of Protective’s total compensation package for employees. This position also offers additional incentive opportunities through an annual incentive based on individual and Company performance.