Description and Requirements
Position: AVP and Assistant General Counsel, Employee Benefits
Location(s): New York, NY; Whippany, NJ; Cary, NC
Setting: Hybrid
Reports to: Vice President, Employee Benefits Tax
The Team You Will Join
The Legal Affairs line of business is comprised of the Law Department and Legal Affairs Operations, and provides legal services and oversight to the Company, globally. Within the Law Department, the Global Technology & Operations, Employment, Benefits & Information (GEBI) section oversees matters affecting the MetLife group of companies, handles thousands of matters internally and closely supervises outside counsel, as appropriate. The GEBI section strives to provide the highest quality support to MetLife, in a variety of matters, pre-litigation and preventative litigation service, contract/vendor negotiation, benefits counseling, cybersecurity and information lifecycle management support in an efficient, cost-effective and timely manner, and is comprised of five practice areas, or units: (1) Global Technology & Operations; (2) Employment; (3) Employment Benefits, Compensation & Tax; (4) Contract Management and Procurement; and (5) Information Lifecycle Management.
The Opportunity
The AVP position will provide legal counsel in a leadership capacity in advising human resources business partners (the "business partners") on a variety of legal domestic and international employee benefit matters, including retirement, deferred compensation programs, health & welfare, and executive compensation plans. The position will also provide legal counsel on fringe benefit, employment, payroll, global mobility, and related matters to the enterprise.
How You'll Help Us Build a Confident Future:
• Provide legal counsel on full range of issues in support of the in-house ERISA plans
• Provide legal counsel for deferred compensation and executive compensation programs
• Partner in the legal support for the review of general commercial contracts for employee benefit plans and other arrangements
• Advise payroll and corporate tax on employment and corporate tax matters
• Partner in all aspects of MetLife's transactions, including M&A activities
• Provide proactive and timely legal advice and knowledge sharing to business partners and other stakeholders
• Lead legal training for business partners for in-house employee benefit plans and other programs
• Serve as the lead counsel in support on compliance matters for global mobility programs for the enterprise
• Lead legal assistance and counsel for ad hoc projects as needed
What You Need to Succeed (Required Qualifications):
• Minimum of 12 years of experience as legal counsel to management and/or human resources business partners in either a law firm, a consulting firm or as in-house counsel
• Juris Doctorate degree required, Master of Laws (LLM) a plus
• Strong and current knowledge of U.S. benefit laws with respect to retirement, deferred compensation, executive compensation, health & welfare, including IRC, ERISA, HIPAA, and COBRA
• Strong and current understanding of international benefits programs, regulations, and income tax treaties
• Strong writing skills
• Working knowledge of executive compensation matters laws and regulations impacting the subject matter
• Collaborative approach with strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to multi-task, prioritize and lead projects in support of subject matter and/or business partners
• Ability to work independently on projects to support business partners
• Strong attention to detail
• Current member of a state bar in good standing
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, required
Salary Range: The wage range for applicants for this position is between $157,800 and $210,400.
Benefits We Offer
Our U.S. benefits address holistic well-being with programs for physical and mental health, financial wellness, and support for families. We offer a comprehensive health plan that includes medical/prescription drug and vision, dental insurance, and no-cost short- and long-term disability. We also provide company-paid life insurance and legal services, a retirement pension funded entirely by MetLife and 401(k) with employer matching, group discounts on voluntary insurance products including auto and home, pet, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance, as well as Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and digital mental health programs, parental leave, volunteer time off, tuition assistance and much more!
About MetLife
Recognized on Fortune magazine's list of the 2023 "World's Most Admired Companies" as well as the 2023 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For ®, MetLife, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world's leading financial services companies; providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to individual and institutional customers. With operations in more than 40 markets, we hold leading positions in the United States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Our purpose is simple - to help our colleagues, customers, communities, and the world at large create a more confident future. United by purpose and guided by empathy, we're inspired to transform the next century in financial services. At MetLife, it's #AllTogetherPossible. Join us!
Equal Employment Opportunity/Disability/Veterans
If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at [email protected]. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application process.
MetLife maintains a drug-free workplace.
The wage range for applicants for this position is The wage range for applicants for this position is between $157,800 and $210,400..
Benefits We Offer
Our U.S. benefits address holistic well-being with programs for physical and mental health, financial wellness, and support for families. We offer a comprehensive health plan that includes medical/prescription drug and vision, dental insurance, and no-cost short- and long-term disability. We also provide company-paid life insurance and legal services, a retirement pension funded entirely by MetLife and 401(k) with employer matching, group discounts on voluntary insurance products including auto and home, pet, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance, as well as Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and digital mental health programs, parental leave, volunteer time off, tuition assistance and much more!
About MetLife
Recognized on Fortune magazine's list of the 2023 "World's Most Admired Companies" as well as the 2023 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For ®, MetLife , through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world's leading financial services companies; providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to individual and institutional customers. With operations in more than 40 markets, we hold leading positions in the United States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Our purpose is simple - to help our colleagues, customers, communities, and the world at large create a more confident future. United by purpose and guided by empathy, we're inspired to transform the next century in financial services. At MetLife, it's #AllTogetherPossible . Join us!
Equal Employment Opportunity/Disability/Veterans
If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at [email protected]. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application process.
MetLife maintains a drug-free workplace.
The wage range for applicants for this position is between $157,800 and $210,400.
#BI-Hybrid