Executive Compensation & Employee Benefits Associate

HIA Group; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 260,000 - 420,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Wellness programme

Employee assistance programme

Discretionary bonus

Job summary

HIA Group in Houston seeks a highly qualified associate for its Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits group. The role focuses on equity-based compensation, employment agreements, and complex transactions for public and private companies.

Ideal candidates will have a JD from a US law school, Texas bar eligibility, and strong M&A and compensation experience. Competitive package with comprehensive benefits and discretionary bonus offered.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited US law school; high academic achievement
• Eligibility to practice law in the State of Texas

Responsibilities

• Design, structure and implement equity-based compensation
• Draft and negotiate employment, retention and severance agreements
• Handle major corporate transactions including due diligence and drafting documents
• Advise on remuneration, incentives and employment tax matters
• Represent clients before IRS, SEC and other authorities on executive compensation issues

Skills

Equity-based comp design

Employment agreements

M&A experience

Peer law firm experience

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

An AmLaw 100 firm is seeking a highly motivated and experienced associate to join its Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits group in Houston. The team's attorneys dedicate 100% of their time to executive compensation and benefits matters, delivering coordinated support on transactional, advisory, and contentious matters, combining deep technical expertise with strong commercial and sector insight across tax, workforce, remuneration, and pensions.

About the Role

The group advises public and private companies, private equity firms, compensation committees and boards of directors, and management teams and individual executives.

Responsibilities

• Share-based and cash compensation — LTIPs, MIPs, all-employee plans, deferred compensation, and bespoke arrangements
• Employment and severance agreements, change-of-control provisions, bonus plans, and non-qualified retirement plans
• Major corporate transactions including acquisitions, mergers, spin-offs, leveraged buyouts, and IPOs — covering due diligence and transaction document drafting
• Standalone advisory mandates on remuneration, incentives, and employment tax
• Representation before the IRS, SEC, and other governmental authorities on executive compensation issues

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited US law school; high academic achievement
• Eligibility to practice law in the State of Texas

Required Skills

• Experience designing, structuring, and implementing equity-based compensation alternatives
• Expertise in employment, retention, and separation agreements
• Strong public and private M&A experience
• Prior experience at a peer law firm

Preferred Skills

• Preferred class years 2018–2023

Pay range and compensation package

The salary range for this role is $260,000–$420,000, commensurate with class year and experience. Actual compensation will reflect the candidate's qualifications and relevant background.

The firm offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage; health savings and flexible spending accounts; life and disability insurance; a 401(k) retirement plan; paid parental leave; backup child and elder care; tuition reimbursement; a wellness programme; and an employee assistance programme. Salary is supplemented by a discretionary bonus.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The firm is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.