Counsel - Employee Benefits Division

The work we do has an impact on millions of lives, and you can be a part of it.

We help protect our customers against life’s uncertainties. Regardless of where you work within the company, you’ll be helping provide protection and peace of mind when our customers need it most.

Protective is seeking a highly motivated compliance professional with approximately five years of relevant experience (or equivalent) to support its growing Employee Benefits Division. A Juris Doctor (J.D.) is required due to the significant legal and regulatory analysis involved in the role.

This position serves as a key compliance/regulatory advisor supporting statutory state Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) private plan insurance products, and other group employee benefits products (life insurance, ad&d, disability, dental and supplemental health). The role partners closely with Product, Operations, Claims, Underwriting, Actuarial, Distribution, and other Compliance/Legal stakeholders to identify regulatory requirements, assess compliance/regulatory risks, support product development and operational initiatives, and help ensure ongoing compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

The successful candidate will be a proactive problem-solver with strong analytical and communication skills who can quickly develop subject matter expertise and provide practical, business-oriented guidance in a highly regulated and evolving environment.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

•    Monitor, analyze, and interpret state and federal laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance impacting statutory PFML, disability, and other employee benefits products.

•    Provide regulatory and compliance guidance to business stakeholders regarding product, operational, claims, distribution, and implementation matters.

•    Support the development, launch, and ongoing administration of employee benefits products, including PFML, disability, and other group insurance offerings.

•    Review policy forms, certificates, riders, marketing materials, training materials, and business processes for compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

•    Conduct regulatory research and support insurance department filings and reporting, regulatory inquiries, examinations, complaints, claim appeals, arbitrations, and other regulatory matters.

•    Partner with Product, Operations, Claims, Compliance, Actuarial, Underwriting, Distribution, Marketing, and Compliance/Legal colleagues to identify compliance risks and develop practical business solutions.

•    Serve as the Compliance representative on cross-functional projects, strategic initiatives, and product development efforts.

•    Develop and deliver training, guidance, and educational materials regarding regulatory requirements and emerging compliance issues affecting employee benefits products.

•    Monitor legislative and regulatory developments through trade associations and prepare impact assessments and recommendations for business stakeholders.

•    Support the development and maintenance of compliance policies, procedures, controls, and governance processes designed to promote regulatory compliance and effective risk management.

Requirements

•    Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.

•    Licensed and in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.

•    Approximately five years of relevant professional experience (or equivalent).

•    Strong legal research, analytical, issue-spotting, and problem-solving skills.

•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex legal and regulatory requirements into practical business guidance.

•    Demonstrated ability to work effectively with cross-functional stakeholders, learn new subject matter quickly, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Strongly Preferred

•    Meaningful experience supporting employee benefits products, including statutory PFML, disability insurance, group insurance, leave management, accident and health insurance, or related employee benefits products.

•    Insurance industry experience, with experience at an insurance carrier or law firm practice focused on insurance regulatory matters. Insurance litigation experience alone may not qualify.

•    Experience interpreting and applying state and federal insurance laws and regulations and providing compliance, regulatory, or legal guidance in support of insurance products and business operations.

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