Counsel

8-10 yrs required

Full-time

No

Counsel - Corporate Sammons Financial Group

Salary: Competitive

Job Category: Corporate

Experience: Minimum 8 years' experience preferred

Location: West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA

Job Description:

As Counsel for the Sammons Financial Group Companies (Sammons Financial Group), you will provide legal support for general corporate issues, corporate structure, and financial services. This role requires a solid understanding of the company's products, including fixed and variable annuities, life insurance, and mutual funds. You will also need a broad knowledge of how these products are distributed through various channels, such as agency channels, broker-dealers, registered investment advisors, and insurance marketing organizations. A strong understanding of state insurance law, federal securities laws, contract law, and agency law is essential for success in this role. You will also need to have a solid understanding of the regulatory environment in which Sammons Financial Group operates.

Key Responsibilities:

- Independently provide legal advice and counsel to business partners on legal matters, allowing management and key decision makers to assess the legal risks involved in various courses of action.
- Ensure compliance with new and existing state, federal, and local laws, statutes, and regulatory requirements by providing legal advice and counsel on legal questions related to Sammons Financial Group.
- Advise on issues related to product distribution, including independent agents, insurance marketing organizations, broker-dealers, registered investment advisors, and banks and financial institutions.
- Provide legal advice and counsel on corporate governance, intellectual property, privacy and cybersecurity, real estate, procurement and vendor management, claims management and litigation, human resources, agency services, and compliance.
- Proactively identify potential legal issues and address them with senior management, including making formal presentations.
- Collaborate with trade associations and government relations to determine the company's position on key pending legislation and regulatory changes.
- Provide legal advice and counsel on in-force policy and contract issues, including underwriting, claims management, product taxation, distributions, grace and lapse, and reinstatement.
- Lead initiatives and work with other attorneys and professionals in the Legal Department to manage the company's exposure to regulatory fines, penalties, or other sanctions.
- Understand and support Sammons Financial Group's strategy, business objectives, and goals when providing legal advice and counsel.
- Draft and review policy forms, legal correspondence, agreements, and releases without supervision.
- Supervise and manage outside counsel, including setting expectations for engagement, desired outcomes, strategy, and budget.
- Develop strong relationships with business clients based on mutual trust and open communication.
- Embrace the company's shared values of Accountability, Connection, Openness, Respect, and Integrity.
- Regular attendance is required to meet business service levels and workflow demands, as stated in the Company Attendance and Punctuality policy.

Requirements:

- Juris Doctorate Degree from an ABA accredited law school.
- Minimum 8 years' relevant experience preferred.
- Experience in working with operating areas of a life insurance company and developing legal and compliance policies and procedures preferred.
- Experience in law firms and/or in-house environments preferred.
- Ability to think strategically, practically, and holistically about appropriate legal solutions.
- Proactive and able to work independently and efficiently on multiple projects under tight deadlines.
- Ability to collaborate with a variety of individuals in a professional, patient, and responsive manner.
- Excellent analytical, writing, oral communication, research, investigatory, advocacy, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to identify and analyze legal issues and apply known or researched rules of law.
- Attention to detail, professional attitude, and commitment to maintaining confidentiality of records and information.
- Willingness to mentor other attorneys and professionals in the Legal Department.
- Deep understanding of the regulatory landscape for life insurance, annuities, and securities, including The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) regulations, SEC regulations, and FINRA requirements.
- A credit and criminal background check is required for this position.
- A member in good standing of the Iowa Bar (or, admission to and in good standing with another bar enabling reciprocity and admission into the Iowa Bar) required.
- Occasional travel between office locations and conferences may be required.

About Sammons Financial Group:

Sammons Financial Group Companies offers some of today's most sought-after life insurance, annuity, retirement planning products, and portfolio-management solutions. As a privately held company, we are focused on long-term value rather than short-term earnings pressures. Our leaders and employees are committed to long-term growth, making decisions that allow us to deliver on our commitments to customers, distribution partners, employees, and communities. Together, our companies represent a history of strength and longevity.

Benefits:

- A company that values its employees and provides a fun, friendly work environment.
- Colleagues who support one another, model our core values, and drive our healthy, high-performing culture.
- A healthy balance between work and personal life, with Friday afternoons off all year long, competitive PTO, and generous paid holidays.
- Competitive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, company-paid retirement, PTO, and holiday pay.
- A generous retirement program with an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) that is 100% company funded.
- A company that celebrates diversity and is committed to inclusion and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Note: Work Authorization/Sponsorship:

At this time, we are not considering candidates who require any type of immigration sponsorship or work authorization for this role (this includes students on F1-OPT, F1-CPT, J-1, etc.).

Join the Sammons Financial Group team and make a difference in the lives of our customers, partners, and communities. Apply now!

Not specified

Health, Dental, Vision, Company Paid Retirement, PTO, Holiday Pay

Not specified

Juris Doctorate Degree from an ABA accredited law school

Apply online through company website

Legal