Job Description

The Senior Counsel, Benefits and ERISA will work on the Labor, Employment, and Benefits Law team as a legal advisor to WFM’s Total Rewards Team, WFM’s benefits committees, and other groups across the organization. This role will provide legal advice primarily on ERISA and related employee benefits issues, including, health and welfare, severance, and 401(k) plans across U.S., U.K. and Canada. The ideal candidate will be a strong communicator, able to build relationships across a matrixed organization, and in addition to having in depth knowledge of ERISA and Benefits issues, will also have knowledge of or interest in learning about employment law to be able to assist on employment law issues as assigned. This role is located in the company’s Global Support Office in Austin, TX.This role is located in the company’s Global Support Office in Austin, TX.

Responsibilities:

• Provide legal advice to senior leadership, business partners and the benefit plan committees on all aspects of U.S., Canada, and U.K. health and welfare and other benefit plans. 
• Stay abreast of, advise and manage compliance with regards to federal, state, and local legal requirements for employee benefits, including ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, the ACA, HIPAA and COBRA.
• Advise on all legal aspects of benefit plan procurement, including self-insured and fully insured arrangements, software and technology sourcing, privacy related matters and audits.
• Draft, review, and/or negotiate a wide range of health-care related agreements, including service provider contracts, managed services agreements, recordkeeping agreements, investment manager/independent fiduciary agreements, and other documentation incidental to vendor or outsourcing relationships.
• Provide guidance to business partners and fiduciary committee members regarding their fiduciary duties and responsibilities. Provide counsel in relation to necessary governance procedures.  Serve as secretary to the various fiduciary committees.
• Draft and update benefit plan documents and related disclosure documents.  Ensure all benefit plan communication and disclosure documentation is correct, distributed timely and complies with applicable regulatory guidance.
• Provide guidance to business partners with respect to handling and responding to participant and/or beneficiary benefit plan claim matters.
• Work with and manage outside counsel relationships as necessary for on-going compliance.
• Provide legal advice on employment law issues, including pay equity, pay transparency, policies and procedures or other projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

• 5 to 10 years of experience with applicable employee benefits laws and regulations, such as ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, the ACA, HIPAA and COBRA;
• Extensive experience drafting, negotiating and reviewing contracts with vendor and outsourcing relationships;
• Significant experience drafting and updating employee benefits communications, including annual enrollment materials and summary plan descriptions;
• Knowledge of or interest in learning employment law and supporting on employment law projects/programs
• A Doctorate of Jurisprudence from an accredited law school.
• Must be admitted and in good standing to the bar of any state.
• Ability to analyze and interpret legal issues and draft pleadings, motions, briefs and legal memoranda.
• Ability to conduct complex legal research using on-line research tools.
• Ability to interact and clearly state legal strategies and goals with company leadership, outside counsel adjusters, opposing counsel, vendors and claimants.
• Substantial experience with delivering advice and counsel to Human Resources professionals, members of leadership, and executives.
• An effective communicator and relationship builder.
• Strong cross-functional leadership abilities combined with an analytical mind-set.
• Ability to lead and inspire through change.
• A passion for service excellence, new ideas, and change.
• Ability to use good judgment and make good decisions that consider the needs of all stakeholders.
• A passion for Whole Foods Market and a sense of ownership for the success of the business.

At Whole Foods Market, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all Team Members and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Whole Foods Market hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.

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