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

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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