Senior Counsel, Employee Comp & Benefits
Bristol Myers Squibb
Summary
The Senior Corporate Counsel, Benefits and Executive Compensation will provide legal counsel on employee benefits, executive compensation and related compliance with ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code and other applicable laws. This role supports key governance functions related to employee benefits and executive compensation, including plan design, compliance and fiduciary oversight, and contributes to integration efforts during M&A transactions.
Job description
Position Summary
The Senior Corporate Counsel, Benefits and Executive Compensation will provide legal counsel on employee benefits, executive compensation and related compliance with ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code and other applicable laws. This role supports key governance functions related to employee benefits and executive compensation, including plan design, compliance and fiduciary oversight, and contributes to integration efforts during M&A transactions.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide legal guidance on employee benefits and executive compensation matters, including health & welfare, qualified DB and DC and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, and related fiduciary obligations.
- Support plan various re-design initiatives, including drafting and reviewing amendments, coordinating with internal stakeholders/external counsel, and ensuring compliance with ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code.
- Support Employment Law and HR policy teams with interpretation and design of severance plan and claims.
- Work with Corporate Governance and Treasury teams with required SEC disclosures, including proxy, Form 10-K and Form 11-K as relating to compensation and benefit plans.
- Review and advise on DOL/IRS filings and disclosures, including Form 5500 and PBGC-related documentation.
- Draft bonus and equity compensation award agreements and/or communications and support implementation.
- Assist with review of vendor agreements, including coordination with procurement and compliance teams.
- Support fiduciary governance, including preparation of committee meeting minutes and training materials.
- Support integration efforts in connection with M&A transactions, including transitioning employees to company plans and ensuring alignment with internal policies and external legal requirements.
Qualifications & Experience
- 10+ years of legal experience in employee benefits, executive compensation and related fiduciary governance.
- J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school and license to practice law in the U.S.
- Expertise in ERISA, HIPAA, Internal Revenue Code (including section 409A), and other regulatory frameworks governing qualified and non-qualified plans (e.g., 401(k), pension, NQDC).
- Strong judgment, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Experience supporting senior leadership and corporate transactions.
Requirements
- 10+ years of legal experience in employee benefits, executive compensation and related fiduciary governance.
- J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school and license to practice law in the U.S.
- Expertise in ERISA, HIPAA, Internal Revenue Code (including section 409A), and other regulatory frameworks governing qualified and non-qualified plans (e.g., 401(k), pension, NQDC).
- Strong judgment, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Experience supporting senior leadership and corporate transactions.
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- Retirement benefits
- Flexible time off
- Paid holidays
- Paid sick leave
- Volunteer days
- Leaves of absence
- Wellbeing support
Company overview
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing, and delivering innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. Founded in 1887 and headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, the company operates with a unique BioPharma strategy that combines the reach and resources of a major pharmaceutical company with the entrepreneurial spirit and agility of a biotech firm. BMS focuses on transformative therapies in key therapeutic areas including oncology, hematology, immunology, cardiovascular disease, and fibrosis. The company has built a sustainable pipeline of potential therapies and leverages translational medicine and data analytics to deliver the right medicine to the right patient at the right time. With over 10,000 employees worldwide, Bristol Myers Squibb maintains a strong commitment to scientific excellence, patient-centric innovation, and global health equity through its foundation. The company's portfolio includes groundbreaking treatments such as Opdivo (nivolumab) for cancer, Eliquis (apixaban) for cardiovascular conditions, and Orencia (abatacept) for autoimmune diseases, among others.