Associate Counsel, Annuity & Life Insurance Product

About the role

We’re looking for an Associate Counsel, Annuity & Life Insurance Product to provide legal leadership across the full lifecycle of annuity and life insurance products. The primary role of this individual will be to represent the Legal & Compliance department as a partner to the Product Development & Implementation Team, advising on product design, regulatory compliance, and distribution strategy. You’ll play a critical role in supporting new product launches and ongoing management of in‑force business, while identifying and mitigating legal risk in complex, high‑impact situations. This position requires a strategic, business‑oriented attorney with deep insurance expertise and the ability to influence cross‑functional stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Product Development & Legal Advisory
  • Provide legal guidance on the design and development of annuity and life insurance products
  • Review policy forms, administrative materials, product illustrations, and operational guidelines
  • Act as a core member of the Product Development & Implementation Team, ensuring legal alignment through product launches
• Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management
  • Ensure products, marketing, and operations comply with insurance regulations (e.g., suitability, replacements, sales practices)
  • Identify legal risks across complex and ambiguous scenarios and develop practical mitigation strategies
• Distribution Strategy & Channel Support
  • Draft and negotiate selling agreements and related distribution contracts
  • Provide ongoing legal support for channel‑specific regulatory and operational considerations
• Inforce Product & Ongoing Legal Support
  • Advises on legal and compliance matters related to in‑force annuity and life insurance blocks
  • Supports resolution of product‑related legal issues as they arise across the business
• Cross‑Functional Partnership & Governance
  • Collaborate closely with Product, Actuarial, Compliance, and Operations teams to align legal guidance with business objectives
  • Partner with the Deputy General Counsel, General Counsel, and broader Legal & Compliance team on key initiatives and regulatory responses
  • Participate in business meetings to proactively identify legal considerations and support execution timelines

Requirements

• Law degree (J.D. or equivalent) and bar admission required, with practice and knowledge annuities and life insurance products
• 7+ years of relevant experience either with a law firm, insurance company, or other financial services institution
• 5+ years of progressive experience in annuities and life insurance products
• Experience working closely with Distribution, Actuarial, Product Filing and Operational functions
• A strategic end to end view in organizing and planning work or initiatives and ability to deliver exceptional results and outcomes that involve managing or influencing others
• 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

Qualifications

• Insurance Product & Regulatory Expertise: Deep knowledge of annuity and life insurance products and associated regulatory requirements
• Legal Risk Assessment & Mitigation: Ability to identify, assess, and manage legal risks in complex, high‑impact business scenarios
• Product & Distribution Advisory: Expertise supporting product development and multi‑channel distribution strategies, including contract negotiation
• Executive Communication & Influence: Communicates complex legal concepts clearly and provides persuasive, actionable guidance to senior stakeholders
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Strong partner across Product, Distribution, Actuarial, and Compliance teams to align legal and business objectives
• Strategic Execution & Judgment: Brings a proactive, solutions‑oriented mindset with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results