Counsel - Executive Compensation

The Technical Services Unit is a team of attorneys and other professionals within the Research and Innovation Center (RIC) who provide centralized support to the U.S. and Canadian associates on the legal, regulatory and policy issues affecting our clients’ employee benefit plans and compensation programs.  Based primarily in Arlington, Virginia, Stamford, Connecticut and Toronto, Ontario, Technical Services staff work directly with consultants to: support Line of Business (LOB) initiatives; respond to inquiries on legal and regulatory issues; prepare written material on legal and regulatory developments for internal and external client use; assist with client assignments related to all aspects of benefits and assist with training and quality assurance on legal and regulatory issues.

Note: Employment-based non-immigrant visa sponsorship and/or assistance is not offered for this specific job opportunity.

The Role 

In this role you will build relationships with U.S. associates by providing expertise and advice on ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), ADEA, securities law, and related HR laws particularly as they pertain to employer-sponsored retirement plans and executive compensation programs.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Deeply enhance your technical skill set, while working closely with expert colleagues,
• Directly contribute to the core business strategy of the firm by creating groundbreaking and timely intellectual capital, and
• Work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, which also respects work/life balance.

Performance Objectives

• Serve as national technical resource for associates on legislative and regulatory issues
• Respond on a timely and effective basis to requests for assistance from U.S. associates concerning technical/regulatory issues related to our clients’ compensation programs 
• Ensure internal and external clients are regularly informed about the implications and opportunities that changing laws and regulations have on plan design, administration and governance
• Strong communication skills required. Ability to consult with clients to explain technical issues clearly and effectively is essential.
• Help identify potential commercial/business development ideas related to significant regulatory, tax and accounting changes 
• Ensure appropriate work quality processes are adopted on all work carried out
• On occasion, present at external business roundtables and other client-related events on current legislative and regulatory developments
• Grow WTW’s profile in Washington through leadership roles in trade and bar association groups and through interaction with government regulators.
• Build relationships internally and collaborate effectively on cross-functional teams
• Provide internal training to associates on legislative and regulatory issues
• Manage client-specific work to ensure that chargeable hours are appropriately recorded           
• Participate in new business development meetings, as needed

The Requirements 

• Law degree and current bar admission with 7+ years relevant experience at a legal, accounting or consulting firm, or in a corporate legal department 
• Extensive knowledge on a broad range of executive compensation matters, including taxation issues (e.g., Sections 162(m) and 409A), accounting for cash and equity, and disclosure requirements under relevant securities law (e.g., Pay versus Performance, Summary Compensation Table, 8-K filing requirements, etc.)
• Some knowledge of tax, ERISA and benefits compliance issues with respect to qualified retirement plans (including 401(k), 403(b), and pension plans),
• Ability to analyze complex legal and regulatory developments affecting executive compensation programs and their company sponsors and share key implications and insights in cogent written form,
• Strong service orientation and sense of urgency regarding client needs,
• Excellent business judgment,
• Collaborative style suited to working on a team with expert colleagues who strive to ensure the quality of one another’s work, and
• Effective speaking and presentation skills for external speeches, internal training and client meetings.

This position will remain posted for a minimum of three business days from the date posted or until a sufficient/appropriate candidate slate has been identified.

Compensation and Benefits
Base salary range and benefits information for this position are being included in accordance with requirements of various state/local pay transparency legislation. Please note that salaries may vary for different individuals in the same role based on several factors, including but not limited to location of the role, individual competencies, education/professional certifications, qualifications/experience, performance in the role and potential for revenue generation (Producer roles only).

Compensation
The base salary compensation range being offered for this role is $200,000.00 to $300,000 USD per year.

This role is also eligible for an annual short-term incentive bonus.

Company Benefits
WTW provides a competitive benefit package which includes the following (eligibility requirements apply):

• Health and Welfare Benefits: Medical (including prescription coverage), Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account, Commuter Account, Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Group Accident, Group Critical Illness, Life Insurance, AD&D, Group Legal, Identify Theft Protection, Wellbeing Program and Work/Life Resources (including Employee Assistance Program)
• Leave Benefits: Paid Holidays, Annual Paid Time Off (includes state/local paid leave where required), Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Other Leaves (e.g., Bereavement, FMLA, ADA, Jury Duty, Military Leave, and Parental and Adoption Leave), Paid Time Off 
• Retirement Benefits: Qualified contributory pension plan (if eligible) and 401(k) plan with annual nonelective company contribution. Non-qualified retirement plans available to senior level colleagues who satisfy the plans’ eligibility requirements.

The position allows for flexible working:
At WTW, we trust you to know your work and the people, tools and environment you need to be successful. The majority of our colleagues work in a ”hybrid” style, with a mix of remote, in-person and in-office interactions dependent on the needs of the team, role and clients. Our flexibility is rooted in trust and “hybrid” is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

We understand flexibility is key to supporting an inclusive and diverse workforce and so we encourage requests for all types of flexible working as well as location-based arrangements. Please speak to your recruiter to discuss more.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

EOE, including disability/vets