Assistant General Counsel - Benefits

Category : Legal

Legal

Date Needed by : 9 / 2 / 2024

9 / 2 / 2024

Primary Duties and Responsibilities :

You bring the motivation, teamwork, and integrity and we will provide the collaborative culture, professional development, and respect you deserve.

And if you are good at what you do, you will have a career at Wespath Benefits and Investments. Join our team in Legal Services and, if you like, teams such as our DEI Council or our Green Team on environmental sustainability and make an impact through your work!

Wespath is an Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to a diverse and inclusive company culture and does not discriminate against applicants and employees because of disability, sex, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, or any other protected status under the law.

Wespath, recognized as a 2017-2024 Chicago’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For and a 2018-2024 National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For, has an opportunity for an Assistant General Counsel Benefits who is responsible for providing legal advice and counsel to all areas of the organization regarding the administration of employee benefits, particularly retirement, but also including health, disability and other welfare plan benefit plans, fringe benefits and related tax issues.

This attorney drafts and interprets benefit plans and policies, and analyzes state and federal laws and regulations, Church requirements and other data to minimize risk and ensure compliance and supports strategic initiatives and external relations regarding plan design and administration.

This attorney must have the experience and expertise to work independently, with occasional high-level direction from senior management, yet also work closely with other attorneys and non-attorney staff.

More specifically, as the Assistant General Counsel Benefits you will :

• Provide legal advice and guidance related to the design, implementation, and administration of the organization’s retirement, health, and welfare plans.
• Interpret, draft, review, and revise plan documents, trust agreements, summary plan descriptions, and participant and plan sponsor communications related to the benefit plans.
• Keep current and give guidance on changing applicable benefits-related laws, regulations, other federal agency guidance, and court decisions;

interact with outside counsel.

• Provide legal advice and guidance related to participant appeals and exception requests.
• Counsel management and staff regarding the legal and business implications associated with current and prospective benefit plan vendor relationships, and prospective benefit plan changes.
• Evaluate, revise, and negotiate agreements associated with the benefit plans (e.g., administrative services agreements, third party administration, pharmacy benefit management, insurance, and other service agreements, including HIPAA business associate agreements).
• Support the Board of Directors, Board committees, and other fiduciaries in their oversight of the benefit plans, and provide legal advice regarding fiduciary matters, organizational structure, and tax-exempt status.
• Present to plan sponsor clients and other denominational stakeholders, cooperate with other UMC general agencies, and serve as necessary on denominational task forces, related to benefit plan and tax matters.
• Provide legal advice and guidance related to The United Methodist Church (UMC) Book of Discipline , and its impact on the organization and benefit plans.
• Draft and review necessary legislative petitions for UMC’s General Conference (the Church’s highest legislative policy-setting body) to amend the benefit plans.
• Provide support services related to various internal and external meetings and functions.
• Actively participate with ecumenical benefits-related coalitions, i.e., Church Alliance and Church Benefits Association, activities, and meetings, primarily related to monitoring of benefit plan legislation and government advocacy efforts.

Assistant General Counsel Benefits and Compensation :

• Medical, dental, vision and well-being benefits from our HealthFlex Exchange on day one.
• 8% employer contribution to retirement plan with an additional match up to 2% on day one.
• 22 days of PTO + 12 paid holidays.
• Hybrid working arrangement.
• The compensation range for this position is $185,000 - $205,000 with a bonus opportunity and customary benefits. Final compensation will be set based on the hired applicant’s qualifications (education, training, and / or experience related to this role), and as such, may fall outside the range shown.

Minimum Requirements / Qualifications :

• Law degree and admission to Illinois bar.
• Five to ten years of legal experience in the area of employee benefits, with a particular emphasis on qualified retirement plans (including 403(b)) and health and welfare benefit plans.
• Legal experience regarding the administration of benefit plans.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Experience with defined benefit retirement plans.
• Experience with 403(b) benefit plans, ideally church plans.
• Experience with tax-exempt organizations generally and related tax matters (such as unrelated business income tax).

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