Vanguard is a leading provider of financial products and services to individual and institutional investors globally. In addition, Vanguard is an employer of choice that continually invests in the growth, development and success of its employees (crew members) over the course of their Vanguard careers.
Vanguard’s Office of the General Counsel addresses a wide range of complex and compelling legal and compliance issues. Vanguard seeks an employee benefits attorney for its HR Legal Services group that advises Vanguard’s human resources function on U.S. and global employment and immigration issues. This attorney will support and partner with Vanguard’s HR Global Total Rewards and Benefits leaders, as well as senior business leaders, to provide proactive and strategic legal advice regarding a wide range of U.S. and global employee benefits programs, including executive compensation and benefits. The attorney will work closely with Vanguard’s tax and procurement law groups, as well as Vanguard’s finance and treasury functions.
Responsibilities:
- Primary attorney providing employee benefits, tax and ERISA fiduciary law counseling on U.S. health and welfare, defined contribution retirement savings and executive compensation programs, as well as global remuneration and bonus programs.
- As needed, coordinate non-US employee benefits law advice for non-US benefits programs.
- Provide counseling and education to internal HR clients, regarding applicable legal, tax, and regulatory considerations, as well as litigation risks, when designing, administering and changing employee benefits programs.
- Maintain an extremely high level of expertise regarding laws, regulatory developments, litigation, industry trends, and practices that may affect Vanguard’s business and benefit programs. Participate in select conferences and industry forums.
- Conduct legal and/or factual research as necessary to support legal advice, and prepare related summaries, presentations, and other advisory materials.
- Lead, assist and/or provide support for legal and other corporate initiatives.
- Actively oversee and manage outside counsel work and billing.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Law degree (JD) and active bar membership required
- Minimum of 10 years of relevant law firm, industry or government agency experience; in-house experience desirable
- Deep expertise and experience with ERISA, U.S. tax and employee benefits law advice, including ERISA fiduciary issues, and executive non-qualified deferred compensation is required; experience with non-U.S. benefit plans and supporting public policy | government affairs highly desirable
- Demonstrated ability to thrive and work independently when dealing with ambiguity. Track record of significant accomplishments. Superior verbal and written communication skills
- Strong leadership skills, exceptional judgment and relationship management skills
Candidates must share Vanguard’s core values, including unmatched ethical standards and client service, strong work ethic, and ‘can-do’ attitude. Candidates must foster a team environment by building collaborative, trusting relationships and advancing the development and success of others.
Candidates must be skilled at successfully collaborating with, enabling, working through, and influencing legal colleagues, in-house corporate partners, and business clients at all levels, including senior management.
Vanguard is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Special Factors
Sponsorship
Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.About Vanguard
At Vanguard, we don't just have a mission—we're on a mission.
To work for the long-term financial wellbeing of our clients. To lead through product and services that transform our clients' lives. To learn and develop our skills as individuals and as a team. From Malvern to Melbourne, our mission drives us forward and inspires us to be our best.
How We Work
Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission-driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long-term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.
Skills Required
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree and active bar membership
- Minimum of 10 years of relevant law firm, industry or government agency experience
- Deep expertise with ERISA, U.S. tax and employee benefits law, including ERISA fiduciary issues and executive non-qualified deferred compensation
- Experience with non-U.S. benefit plans and supporting public policy / government affairs
- In-house legal experience
- Superior verbal and written communication skills
- Strong leadership, exceptional judgment, and relationship management skills
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, handle ambiguity, and a track record of significant accomplishments
- Experience overseeing and managing outside counsel and billing
Vanguard Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Vanguard and has not been reviewed or approved by Vanguard.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support appears unusually strong through a 401(k) design that includes a match plus an additional employer contribution, which can materially lift long-term total rewards. HSA seeding and an enhanced employer match further strengthen the savings-and-benefits value of the package.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellbeing and lifestyle support is reinforced by a sizable annual FlexFund stipend that can be applied across many day-to-day categories such as fitness, childcare, and other personal expenses. On-site or virtual clinics and fitness options add practical health and wellness convenience.
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Affordable Benefits — Healthcare and related benefits are positioned as comparatively affordable via heavily subsidized medical plans and broad coverage options. This affordability can offset moderate base pay for employees who place higher value on out-of-pocket cost reductions.
Vanguard Insights
What We Do
We are a community of 30 million who think – and feel – differently about investing. Together, we’re changing the way the world invests. Since our founding in 1975, helping our investors achieve their goals is our sole reason for existence. With no other parties to answer to and therefore no conflicting loyalties, we make every decision—like keeping investing costs as low as possible—with only your needs in mind. Vanguard is one of the world's largest investment companies, offering a large selection of high-quality low-cost mutual funds, ETFs, advice, and related services. Individual and institutional investors, financial professionals, and plan sponsors can benefit from the size, stability, and experience Vanguard offers. As of April 30, 2019, we managed more than $5.6 trillion in global assets. In addition, we have 189 funds in the United States and 225 funds in global markets. For Commenting Guidelines & Important information, visit here: http://vanguard.com/linkedin Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.
