Associate General Counsel - Benefits

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Do you want to work for a company who lives into their values of integrity, mutual respect, and teamwork?
Do you want to help others while working for a company making an impact on environmental, social and governance issues?
Wespath Benefits and Investments, recognized as a 2017-2022 Chicago’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® and a 2018-2022 National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For®, has an opportunity for an Associate General Counsel – Benefits.
The Associate General Counsel - Benefits is the lead benefits attorney reporting directly to Chief Legal Officer and responsible for providing legal advice and counsel to all areas of the organization in regard to the administration of Wespath’s employee benefits programs, particularly retirement plans, 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 high-level direction from the Chief Legal Officer.
More specifically, as the Associate General Counsel - Benefits you will have the opportunity to:

• 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; summary plan descriptions and organization communications related to retirement plans, the health program and welfare plans.
• Counsel management and staff regarding the legal and business implications associated with current and prospective vendor relationships, and prospective health and welfare plans.
• Evaluate, revise, and negotiate agreements associated with the health program and welfare plans (e.g., third party administration, pharmacy benefit management, insurance, and other service agreements, including HIPAA business associate agreements).
• Serve as a member of the Initial Appeals Committee and an advisor to the Intermediate Appeals committee for health and welfare plan appeals and support related corporate governance.
• Represent the organization, health program and welfare plans in dealings with regulatory agencies (e.g., IRS, HHS/CMS, state insurance departments, etc.).
• Provide legal advice and guidance related to the United Methodist Church (UMC) Book of Discipline, and its impact on the organization, retirement plans, health plans and welfare plans.
• Serve as necessary on denominational task forces related to retirement, health, and welfare matters.
• Draft and review necessary legislative petitions for UMC’s General Conference.
• Participate in and provide support services related to various internal and external meetings and functions.
• Keep current on changing laws, regulations, other federal agency guidance and court decisions; interact with outside counsel.
• Actively participate with Church Alliance and Church Benefits Association activities and meetings.
• Manage and oversee support staff responsible for administration of marital litigation and related matters.

#LI-CW1

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Minimum Requirements/Qualifications: *

• Law degree and admission to Illinois bar.
• Ten years of legal experience in the area of employee benefits, including retirement, health and welfare benefits, tax issues, and the Affordable Care Act.

Preferred Requirements/Qualifications:

• Experience providing legal support for retirement and/or investment-related activities.
• Experience with (403)b plans, church plans, and church law.
• Prior management experience.

Wespath Benefits and Investments is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in hiring.

Location: 1901 Chestnut Ave
Glenview,Illinois,60025
United States, Glenview, IL 60025

Job Type: Full-time