Principal Corporate Counsel: Employee Benefits & ERISA

About the role

Join Cisco’s People Legal Team and be a trusted and creative legal partner to Cisco’s People & Communities (HR) organization and the entire enterprise. You’ll pave pathways that will enhance Cisco’s employee experience and address complex issues.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary legal architect for Cisco’s US Benefits programs.
• Navigate the complexities of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code, providing expert fiduciary counseling to plan committees and ensuring our programs meet the highest standards of governance.
• Advising and supporting clients in all aspects of plan administration for employer-provided benefits, including filings, offerings, and plan documentation including SPDs.
• Work on benefits contracts including vendor agreements and marketing material.
• Lead the legal strategy for benefits-related litigation and administrative claims.
• Proactively identify and mitigate risks before they escalate, ensuring Cisco’s benefits engine runs efficiently and stays ahead of the regulatory curve.
• Drive the benefits due diligence and integration strategy for mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.
• Evaluate target company plans, identify potential liabilities, and support the seamless transition of benefits for newly acquired talent.
• Act as a forward-looking scout for legislative shifts.
• Interpret and implement sophisticated new regulations—such as the SECURE Act 2.0 and evolving state-mandated retirement or paid leave programs—ensuring Cisco remains a first-mover in compliance and plan design.
• Collaborate on cross-functional projects, contributing to broader employment law initiatives.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school with a strong academic record.
• Active member in good standing of at least one U.S. State Bar.
• 7+ years of relevant legal experience, with a significant focus on ERISA and US Benefits law within a major law firm or a large multinational corporate legal department.
• Consistent track record in handling benefits litigation and navigating sophisticated ERISA compliance issues, with an emphasis on providing practical mentorship.

Qualifications

• Strong academic record.
• Experience in the technology sector or with high-growth, global companies.
• Familiarity with applying AI-powered legal tools to improve research and operational efficiency.
• Passion for benefits law and a willingness to partner with leaders, HR professionals, and Cisco team members to find the best solutions.
• Business sense and the ability to balance legal risk with Cisco's innovative culture.
• Self-starter with excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.

Skills

• Expert knowledge of ERISA and US Benefits law.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution.
• Paid parental leave.
• Short and long-term disability coverage.
• Basic life insurance.
• Flexible vacation time off program.
• Volunteer time off.
• Annual bonuses for non-sales roles.
• Performance-based incentive pay for quota-based sales roles.

Pay

The starting salary range posted for this position is $192,300.00 to $243,900.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation*, equity, or benefits.

Schedule

Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time. U.S. employees are offered benefits, subject to Cisco’s plan eligibility rules, which include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance.