Senior Counsel, Group Benefits

Guided by our company Purpose of "Inspiring well-being for our colleagues, consumers, and communities," we are committed to building a best-in-class Law Department.

We drive a high-performance culture across our Legal, Compliance, and Government Affairs functions, aligned to "what" we deliver, our goals and "how" we deliver, and our values and behaviors demonstrated in delivering against our goals. We do this through leveraging a series of core capabilities, which includes interpersonal effectiveness, ability to demonstrate business savvy, being a subject matter expert in your practice area, and leading people and teams where applicable.

Our colleagues, and the candidates we hire are key to the continuing success of our department.

In this role you will join a team of attorneys and staff who advise and provide legal guidance to the Guardian Group business. This business offers group dental, vision, life, disability, absence, and supplemental health products along with a growing list of innovative, wellness offerings. Specific support expertise includes counseling of internal clients, coordinating work performed by outside counsel, negotiating, and drafting contracts, providing regulatory, and ensuring compliance with Company guidelines.

The Senior Counsel, will partner closely with business area attorneys, product, marketing, distribution, analytics, and technology leaders across the company to identify insights, highlight problems and provide critical input into key decisions to execute on the Company's strategy.

The ideal candidate is experienced and knowledgeable, someone who can operate with minimal guidance, is highly customer focused, demonstrates solid business judgment, has strong negotiation and legal skills and instinct with flexibility to meet diverse needs of various business leaders and initiatives, has strong written and verbal communication skills, is practical, a doer and has outstanding business judgment.

You will

• Provide crisp, pragmatic real time advice on business matters, to internal business clients as requested on agreement terms, regulatory or legal requirements, company policies, processes, approval requirements, and legal issues.

• Collaborate with and facilitate cross-team decision-making among the product team, legal team, operations and other various internal departments and clients.

• Review and prepare distribution agreements, commercial and client agreements, and other documents, counseling clients on related regulatory and other legal issues.

• Identify and provide counsel on a range of legal issues related to commercial product development and distribution activities of Group, including the collection, use, sharing and protection of regulated information under relevant federal and state law.

• Provide analysis and legal counsel related to the permissibility of new business initiatives as it relates to federal and state insurance matters in supporting Group products.

• Develop external contacts and participate in professional organizations that will provide benchmarks for law internally and enhance the understanding of the external environment to anticipate trends and developments in the field.

You have

• Law degree (J.D. or equivalent)

• Must have an active Bar Admission; New York bar admission preferred.

• 5 to 7 years' experience with a strong record of relevant experience and progressing responsibility at a law firm, insurance carrier or other financial services firm.

• Commitment to highest level of ethics, integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.

Functional Leadership Skills & Behaviors

Interpersonal Effectiveness

• Demonstrate ability to use communications and stories to inspire, motivate and influence others on ideas.

• Communicate with conciseness, composure, and confidence in an engaging manner.

• Go beyond the expected and engage others to do more

• Proactively seek out leadership or significant project opportunities rather than wait for direction.

Business Savvy

• Take the time to learn and become well-versed in the business. Bring your professional expertise to bear for business or customer needs in a way that makes a significant difference.

• A strategic end to end view in organizing and planning work or initiatives and able to deliver exceptional results and outcomes by influencing others.

• Find ways to ask insightful questions in creating or shaping a new solution. Challenge existing approaches and enlist others in new thinking. Have experience creating a change environment and champion new projects that shape the future.

Legal Expertise

• A mastery of both written and oral communications with the goal to provide concise, clear messaging to persuade the audience, especially at the executive level.

• Remain current in your subject matter and demonstrate expert knowledge in your field. You are sought after for advice and counsel. Make ongoing, significant contributions toward achieving team and organizational goals.

• Bring a solutions-based approach when working with clients, understanding needs required to deliver unique solutions to challenging business problems.

Lead by Example

• Bring your authentic self to work and demonstrate empathy ... create an inclusive environment

• Prioritize your well-being

• Stay informed and continually develop yourself as a leader. Create capacity for growth.

Reporting Relationship

This role reports to the Associate General Counsel, Group Benefits.

Location /Travel

Hybrid role -In office 2 days a week, WFH - 3 days a week, Hudson Yards Office, New York, NY

Salary Range

$146,010.00 - $239,880.00

The salary range reflected above is a good faith estimate of base pay for the primary location of the position. The salary for this position ultimately will be determined based on the education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate. In addition to salary, this role may also be eligible for annual, sales, or other incentive compensation.

Our Promise

At Guardian, you'll have the support and flexibility to achieve your professional and personal goals. Through skill-building, leadership development and philanthropic opportunities, we provide opportunities to build communities and grow your career, surrounded by diverse colleagues with high ethical standards.

Inspire Well-Being

As part of Guardian's Purpose - to inspire well-being - we are committed to offering contemporary, supportive, flexible, and inclusive benefits and resources to our colleagues.

Health Care

• Choice of [high deductible/copay] medical plans* with prescription drugs, including coverage for fertility and transgender inclusive benefits

• Dental plan

• Vision plan

• Health care accounts - flexible spending, health reimbursement, and health savings accounts

• Critical illness insurance

Life and Disability Insurance

• Company-paid Life and Disability insurance plus voluntary supplemental coverage

• Accident insurance

Retirement and Financial

• 401(k) retirement plan with a company match, plus an annual age/service-based Company contribution and an annual profit-sharing contribution, if applicable

• Complimentary 1:1 financial guidance with a licensed Fidelity representative

Time Off and Remote Work

• Flexible work arrangements (part in-person/part remote)

• Unlimited paid time off for most roles plus time off for volunteering, jury duty, voting, and bereavement

• Personal holidays for colleagues to use in recognition of religious, cultural, or civic days

• Paid parental leave and paid family and medical leave policies

Emotional Well-being and Work-Life

• Emotional well-being, mental health, and work/life resources powered by Spring Health

• Wellness programs, including fitness program and equipment reimbursement

• Child, adult, and elder back-up care support through Bright Horizons

• Adoption assistance

• College planning

• Tuition reimbursement

• Student loan assistance

• Commuter benefits in select metropolitan areas

Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (J.E.D.I.)

• Employee Resource Groups that advocate for inclusion and diversity

• J.E.D.I. certification and training programs

• Matching gifts/volunteering

Benefits apply to full-time eligible employees. Interns are not eligible for most Company benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Guardian is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, military or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law.

Accommodations

Guardian is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. Guardian also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants (and employees) to accommodate the individual's known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless doing so would create an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact ~~~ .

Every day, Guardian helps our 29 million customers realize their dreams through a range of insurance and financial products and services. Our Purpose, to inspire well-being, guides our dedication to the colleagues, consumers, and communities we serve. We know that people count, and we go above and beyond to prepare them for the life they want to live, focusing on their overall well-being - mind, body, and wallet. As one of the largest mutual insurance companies, we put our customers first. Behind every bright future is a GuardianTM. Learn more about Guardian at ~~~ .