Well-Being & Benefits Lead

Latham & Watkins LLP; New York; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare and life insurance

Generous 401k plan

23 days PTO in the first year

Well-being programs

Professional development programs

Job summary

Latham & Watkins LLP is seeking a Well-Being & Benefits Lead in New York, responsible for strategic oversight of benefits planning and vendor management. The role demands at least 3 years in benefits administration and expertise in compliance and stakeholder management.

Strong candidates will receive a generous compensation package including healthcare, 401k, and a comprehensive benefits program with paid time off and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years in employee benefits administration.
• At least five years of cumulative experience is required.
• Nine years of experience may substitute for a degree.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance and oversight to team members on complex cases.
• Support key compliance initiatives related to benefits administration.
• Lead annual benefit renewals and contract management.
• Make recommendations on benefit enhancements and vendor selection.
• Develop and update internal processes and employee communications.

Skills

Expert-level understanding of benefits structures

Strong commercial acumen

Relationship and stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

About Latham & Watkins

Latham & Watkins is one of the world’s leading global law firms advising the businesses and institutions that drive the global economy. We are the market leaders in major financial and business centers around the world. Our investment in people, commitment to innovation, and focus on the future empower you to build an incredible career and thrive as an exceptional professional in a supportive culture. If you aspire to be the best, and work with the best, this is where you belong.

About the Role

The Well-Being & Benefits Lead is an integral part of Latham’s Well-Being & Benefits team. This role will be responsible for providing strategic oversight across multiple programs, with a strong focus on benefits planning, vendor management, and large-scale initiatives, while acting as a high-level escalation point for complex coverage issues, vendor performance concerns, billing discrepancies, and service failures. This role will be located in our New York office. Please note that this role may be eligible for a flexible working schedule that allows for a hybrid and in-office presence.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

Other key responsibilities include:

• Providing guidance and oversight to team members on complex cases, and responding to escalated employee inquiries
• Supporting key compliance initiatives (e.g. COBRA administration, PPACA reporting, ERISA requirements, government filings)
• Leading and coordinating annual benefit renewals, including planning timelines, broker discussions, market reviews, system setup, carrier files integrations, and contract management
• Making expert recommendations on benefit enhancements, planning design changes, and vendor selection, based on market and performance data
• Developing and updating internal processes, job aids, and standard operating procedures; coordinating updates to employee communications (e.g. benefits guides, FAQs, intranet content); documenting resolutions and looks for process improvements
• Protecting and maintaining any highly sensitive, confidential, privileged, financial, and/or proprietary information that Latham & Watkins retains

We’d love to hear from you if you:

• Demonstrate expert-level understanding of benefits structures and compliance requirements across the relevant region
• Display strong commercial acumen, including vendor evaluation, benchmarking, and contract considerations
• Are highly skilled in relationship and stakeholder management, including external vendors and senior internal partners

And have:

• A minimum of three (3) years in employee benefits administration
• A minimum of five (5) years of cumulative experience
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• A minimum of nine years' (9) experience may be considered in lieu of a degree

Benefits & Additional Information

Successful candidates will not only be provided with an outstanding career opportunity and welcoming environment, but will also be provided with a generous total compensation package with bonuses awarded in recognition of both individual and firm performance. Eligible employees can participate in Latham’s comprehensive benefit program which includes:

• Healthcare, life and disability insurance
• A generous 401k plan
• At least 11 paid holidays per year, and a PTO program that accrues 23 days during the first year of employment and grows with tenure
• Well-being programs (e.g. mental health services, mindfulness and resiliency, medical resources, well-being events, and more)
• Professional development programs
• Employee discounts
• Affinity groups, networks, and coalitions for lawyers and staff

Latham & Watkins is an equal opportunity employer. The Firm prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status (including veterans of the Vietnam era), gender expression, marital status, or any other characteristic or condition protected by applicable statute.

Pay Range

USD $120,000.00 - USD $135,000.00 /Yr.