Counsel II - ERISA/Retirement Recordkeeping and Plan Administration Counsel (Hybrid)

Transamerica; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Transamerica is seeking an attorney to support our retirement plan businesses. You will be part of a team of attorneys providing strategic legal guidance on 401(k), 403(b), and other retirement products, including recordkeeping and plan administration.

Responsibilities include negotiating contracts, advising on ERISA compliance, monitoring regulatory developments, and coordinating with internal partners across compliance, risk, and operations.

Qualifications

• JD from ABA-accredited law school.
• Member of the Bar in good standing in any U.S. jurisdiction.
• Two or more years of ERISA/retirement plans experience at a sophisticated firm, consulting firm, or in‑house legal department.
• Able to communicate clearly, exercise sound judgment, and adapt legal advice to business needs in a fast‑changing environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal support for retirement plan recordkeeping and plan administration products and services (401(k), 403(b), 457(b), defined benefit, etc.).
• Assist with drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts and documents (recordkeeping, trust/custody, 3(16), 3(21)/3(38) agreements, vendor agreements).
• Develop expertise to guide on plan documents, notices, and ERISA disclosures.
• Monitor regulatory developments and brief stakeholders on business impact.
• Draft regulatory responses to examinations/inquiries (DOL/IRS/PBGC) and remediation plans.
• Advise on plan sponsor and participant issues, operational issues, and complaints as appropriate.
• Collaborate with compliance, risk, operations, product, and sales to implement policies/procedures.
• Contribute to complex legal issues with multi-factor analyses and practical business solutions.
• Keep senior management informed about legal/regulatory developments affecting retirement products.
• Exercise judgment with guidance from senior attorneys and communicate clearly to diverse audiences.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative culture and innovative cost‑effective solutions.

Skills

Legal analysis

ERISA knowledge

Contract negotiation

Communication

Judgment

Adaptability

Education

Juris Doctor

Job description

We are seeking an attorney for a critical role supporting our retirement plan businesses. In this position, you will be a key contributor within a team of attorneys who provide strategic legal guidance to our business partners supporting our retirement recordkeeping and plan administration businesses.

Why Join Transamerica?

You’ll have an opportunity to work with a leading life insurance, annuity and retirement company in a supportive environment with professional development and growth opportunities.

Responsibilities:

• Provide legal support in the development, maintenance, and offering of retirement plan recordkeeping and plan administration products and services, involving 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), defined benefit plans, nonqualified plans, pooled employer plans (PEPs), other multiple employer plans (MEPs), stable value products, CIT investments, and other products.
• Assist with the preparation, review, and negotiation of contracts and documents, including recordkeeping, trust and custodial agreements, TPA and 3(16) administrative services, investment advisory and management (3(21)/3(38)) agreements, and vendor and TPA agreements.
• Develop expertise to provide guidance on plan documents, notices and communications, including ERISA 408(b)(2) and 404(a)(5) disclosures, ERISA 404(c) considerations, QDROs, beneficiary designations, claims/appeals processes, discrimination testing and corrections and other relevant topics.
• Monitor and review regulatory developments and brief stakeholders on potential business impacts, as directed.
• Assist in drafting regulatory responses to examinations and inquiries (DOL/IRS/PBGC), including document production and remediation plans.
• Commensurate with experience, advise on plan sponsor and participant issues, operational issues, and complaints.
• Collaborate with regulatory support, compliance, risk, operations, product, sales/distribution and other internal stakeholders to develop and implement policies and procedures.
• Contribute to complex legal issues where analysis requires identification and evaluation of multiple factors; deliver practical, business‑oriented solutions in a fast‑paced environment.
• Partner with senior attorneys in keeping senior business management and operations personnel apprised of pertinent legal and regulatory developments affecting retirement products and services.
• Exercise judgment regarding legal advice with guidance from senior attorneys; communicate clearly and effectively with diverse technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Employ innovative thinking to help the business implement creative, cost‑effective, and realistic solutions; foster an inclusive, collaborative culture.

Qualifications:

• JD from an ABA‑accredited law school.
• Member of the Bar in good standing in any U.S. jurisdiction.
• Two or more years of relevant legal experience focused on ERISA/retirement plans at a sophisticated law firm, consulting firm, or in‑house legal department.
• Able to effectively communicate, both written and oral, exercise sound judgment, and adapt legal advice to business needs while being agile and comfortable in a rapidly changing corporate environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong knowledge of ERISA Title I, DOL regulations and advisory opinions, Internal Revenue Code provisions applicable to retirement plans, and ERISA fee disclosure regimes (408(b)(2), 404(a)(5)); familiarity with SECURE 2.0 and related guidance; working knowledge of nonqualified plans is a plus.
• Experience negotiating retirement services agreements (recordkeeping, trust/custody, advisory 3(21)/3(38), 3(16)), investment management arrangements, collective investment trust participation, and data/privacy provisions.
• Experience with pooled plan structures, plan administration and/or defined benefit plans is a plus.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the initiative, ownership, and attention to detail needed to manage multiple priorities, work autonomously, and deliver high-quality results in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.

Working Conditions:

• Hybrid office environment: 3 days in office (Tues/Wed/Thurs)
• Locations: Denver, Cedar Rapids, Philadelphia
• Occasional travel to meet with leaders, other team members, and business partners.

Compensation:

• The Salary for this position generally ranges between $145,000 - $160,000 annually. Please note that the salary range is a good faith estimate for this position and actual starting pay is determined by several factors including qualifications, experience, geography, work location designation (in-office, hybrid, remote) and operational needs. Salary may vary above and below the stated amounts, as permitted by applicable law.
• Additionally, this position is typically eligible for an Annual Bonus based on the Company Bonus Plan/Individual Performance and is at the Company’s discretion.