Senior ERISA & Employee Benefits Counsel

Cisco; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 192,000 - 244,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco’s People Legal Team is seeking an attorney to lead US Benefits and ERISA, partnering with HR and Finance to design world-class health, welfare, and retirement programs.

You will provide fiduciary guidance, supervise plan documentation and vendor agreements, and steer litigation strategy while maintaining governance at the forefront.

This role requires 7+ years of ERISA experience, a JD, and bar admission, with a focus on strategic risk management in a global tech company.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school with a strong academic record.
• Active member in good standing of at least one U.S. State Bar.
• 7+ years of relevant legal experience, with a significant focus on ERISA and US Benefits law within a major law firm or a large multinational corporate legal department.
• Consistent track record in handling benefits litigation and navigating sophisticated ERISA compliance issues, with an emphasis on providing practical mentorship.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary legal architect for Cisco’s US Benefits programs and governance.
• Provide fiduciary counseling to plan committees under ERISA and IRC.
• Advise on plan administration, filings, offerings, and plan documents incl. SPDs.
• Lead the legal strategy for benefits-related litigation and administrative claims.
• Drive due diligence and integration for mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.
• Monitor legislative shifts (SECURE Act 2.0 and state programs) and ensure compliance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across People Legal, HR, and Finance.

Skills

ERISA expertise

US Benefits law

Litigation management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree

Job description

Cisco’s People Legal Team is seeking an attorney to lead US Benefits and ERISA, partnering with HR and Finance to design world-class health, welfare, and retirement programs.

You will provide fiduciary guidance, supervise plan documentation and vendor agreements, and steer litigation strategy while maintaining governance at the forefront.

This role requires 7+ years of ERISA experience, a JD, and bar admission, with a focus on strategic risk management in a global tech company.