Employee Benefits Counsel

About the role

Responsible for monitoring and communicating ongoing and changing laws affecting health and welfare plans, including ACA, ERISA, the Code, HIPAA, and COBRA. The individual in this role will be responsible for the development and presentation of materials on various health and welfare compliance related issues to internal sales teams, as well as external clients.

Responsibilities

• Establish effective working relationships with internal partners, clients and carriers
• Function as part of a national team of Employee Benefit Attorneys to meet the overall objectives for the health and welfare compliance team
• Research, read, evaluate and edit articles, alerts and other materials for publication or distribution to internal and external clients
• Gather material, perform research, and assist client service team in the formulation of strategy to solve client problems related to ERISA, ACA, the Code, HIPAA and state issues affecting health and welfare plans
• Develop and maintain compliance education tools for health and welfare compliance
• Create and deliver presentations to internal staff and to external clients and prospects
• Monitor and identify legal developments such as relevant statutes, regulations, case law and legal articles affecting employee benefit plans
• Maintain and update compliance library resources, including cross checking and validating that information is up-to-date

Qualifications

• College degree and J.D. required
• 4–8 years experience working on compliance issues of employer-sponsored welfare benefits plans; prior experience in employee benefits law or compliance consulting on these issues required
• Proficient with computers and quickly competent with new technology tools; full competence with MS Office Suite products and Adobe products required
• Thorough understanding of laws impacting health and welfare plans including ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, Internal Revenue Code, and insurance laws affecting these programs
• Strong leadership skills
• Comfortable in public speaking environments; ability to convey complex information in a simple, organized format to a wide variety of audiences
• Strong oral and written communication skills to explain complex issues and interpret complex information
• Strong research and writing skills with experience interpreting statutes and regulations
• Strong interpersonal and verbal skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with minimal instruction and a high degree of accuracy
• Ability to set priorities and manage workflow to ensure efficient, timely, and accurate production of tools and materials
• Ability to quickly assess and learn organizational roles, responsibilities, and process flows
• Ability to maintain cordial and effective relationships with internal clients, team members, and vendors
• Ability to interact effectively using good communication skills, cooperating purposefully, and providing information and guidance as needed to achieve business goals
• Must be a self-starter, demonstrating cooperation and collaboration in team settings
• Ability to work with a diverse set of individuals and personalities
• Keeps informed regarding industry information, new product information, and technology to continuously improve knowledge and performance
• Some travel required (10–20%)

Benefits

USI offers a wide range of health, welfare, and financial benefits including medical, wellness, dental, and vision; 401(k); flexible spending and health savings accounts; short- and long-term disability; life insurance; and other unique employer-sponsored and voluntary programs. Generous paid time off policy, paid family leave benefit, and paid holiday time.

Additional programs include the Summit Awards recognition program, award-winning wellness program, college scholarships for associates' children, and financial assistance in times of need. Deep community engagement and environmental sustainability initiatives. Award-winning I'm With U diversity and inclusion program.

Nationally recognized as a top insurance employer: Insurance Business America's Top Insurance Employers (2018–2025), Business Insurance's Best Places to Work in Insurance (2020–2025), Fortune's Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance (2024–2025), Great Place To Work certified (2024–2025).