AVP, Sr. Counsel, Leave Management & Statutory Disability

Alternate locations: Radnor, PA; Charlotte, NC; Fort Wayne, IN; Greensboro, NC; Hartford, CT; Omaha, NE. Hybrid work arrangement: 3 days per week in a Lincoln office. Relocation assistance is not available for this opportunity.

About the Role

We're seeking an experienced AVP, Senior Counsel to lead a team responsible for providing legal guidance and compliance support for Group Protection's leave management and statutory disability products. In this role, you will provide strategic leadership, legal expertise, and regulatory oversight while partnering across the organization to support business objectives, ensure compliance, and drive innovation in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment.

As a trusted advisor, you will collaborate with partners across Product, Operations, Finance, Marketing, Underwriting, Claims, and Compliance to manage legal risk, support product development, and maintain compliance with federal and state leave laws. You will also represent Lincoln in interactions with regulators, industry groups, customers, and other external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and development opportunities to a team responsible for legal and compliance support for Group Protection's leave management and statutory disability products.
• Monitor and analyze legislative and regulatory developments affecting leave and statutory disability programs, assess the business impact, and advise stakeholders on emerging risks and opportunities.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to ensure products, services, and processes remain compliant with applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
• Provide legal counsel on complex leave-related matters, including claims escalations, policy interpretation, leave agreements, and operational inquiries.
• Conduct legal research and analysis regarding proposed and existing laws and regulations, and provide practical, business-focused recommendations.
• Support multiple business functions that serve or impact leave management and statutory disability products.
• Contribute to enterprise and business unit strategies involving leave-related legal, regulatory, and compliance matters.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with business leaders through active engagement, consultation, and project participation.
• Represent the organization in discussions with regulators, industry associations, and other external stakeholders on leave and statutory disability matters.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to customers, brokers, industry groups, and internal audiences.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on leave management, statutory disability programs, and related legal and regulatory requirements.
• Identify, assess, and communicate legal, regulatory, and compliance risks to senior leadership in a timely and proactive manner.
• Draft, negotiate, review, and approve customer agreements and other contracts related to leave programs.
• Manage dispute resolution matters, regulatory inquiries, and commercial claims.
• Provide strategic legal and business counsel to senior management and key stakeholders.
• Support compliance programs and initiatives within Group Protection and across the enterprise.
• Foster a culture of compliance, integrity, accountability, and ethical decision-making.

Requirements

• 7+ years of legal experience in a large law firm, corporate legal department, or a combination of both.
• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active membership in at least one state bar and in good standing.
• Strong legal research, analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate effectively with legal colleagues, business partners, and senior leaders.
• Proven ability to manage complex legal matters and balance business objectives with legal and regulatory requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience advising on leave management and statutory disability products.
• Knowledge of federal and state leave laws and the broader leave services regulatory framework.
• Understanding of leave administration concepts, industry trends, and market developments.
• Experience supporting insurance, employee benefits, or related financial services products.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including team management and development.

Benefits

• Clearly defined career tracks and job levels, along with associated behaviors for each of Lincoln's core values and leadership attributes.
• Leadership development and virtual training opportunities.
• PTO/parental leave.
• Competitive 401K and employee benefits.
• Free financial counseling, health coaching, and employee assistance program.
• Tuition assistance program.
• Flexible work arrangements and effective productivity/technology tools and training.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $127,500 - $232,300, with anticipated pay for new hires between the minimum and midpoint of the range. Pay may vary above or below the listed range as permitted by applicable law and is based on non-discriminatory factors including work experience, education, location, licensure requirements, proficiency, and qualifications. The base pay is one component of Lincoln’s total rewards package, which may also include eligibility for the Annual Incentive Program (discretionary and based on company, business unit, and individual performance), long-term incentives, sales incentives, and standard benefits.