Counsel - Annuity and Life Insurance Operations

If you're passionate about being part of a diverse organization that enables a Fortune 100 company to deliver innovative business solutions with excellence, then Nationwide's Legal team could be the place for you! At Nationwide®, “on your side” goes beyond just words. Our customers are at the center of everything we do and we’re looking for associates who are passionate about delivering extraordinary care.

This position is responsible for providing legal support for the Annuity and Life operations area related to the administration of commission and non-commission annuity products including, variable annuities, fixed indexed annuities, fixed annuities, deferred income annuities, immediate annuities, contingent deferred annuities, market value adjustment features, structured settlements, and Medicaid annuities.

This position is an individual contributor role with duties focused on:

• Day-to-day legal support of Annuity and Life Operations and Call Center business clients specific to state insurance and federal tax requirements governing annuity and life insurance products.
• Providing risk assessments related to operational matters by assessing legal risk, identifying legal requirements and providing options and recommendations to business clients.
• Advising business clients on market conduct exam matters, complaints, pre-litigation matters, demands, Department of Insurance inquiries including drafting and negotiating settlement agreements.
• Reviewing customer correspondence including forms and letters by applying state law requirements and annuity product knowledge to content.
• Providing legal opinions on annuity and life insurance product and transaction legal requirements related to the function of annuity product features and risks associated with the interplay of various non-insurance topics such as trusts, divorce revocation, Medicaid, conservatorship, adverse claims, fraud, POAs, minor beneficiaries, small estates, tax reporting and sales practice requirements including suitability requirements.

This can be a hybrid or fully remote opportunity depending on location

(Internal use only: H2 pay band)

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Job Description Summary

Would you thrive in an environment where you can deliver top-quality legal services to support business objectives of a Fortune 100 insurance and financial services company? If you possess the strong legal and analytical skills needed to provide counsel and advocacy to our team, as well as to company leaders and associates, we want to know more about you!

We provide legal expertise that reflects our commitment to innovative thinking, effective collaboration and a proactive approach to our work. As Counsel, you'll provide legal services to one or more assigned areas, working primarily with Office of the Chief Legal Officer (OCLO) leaders and business partners. We'll count on you to work on routine to more complex matters and/or projects, with supportive supervision, to address legal questions or issues.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities: 

• Manages legal matters regularly that are routine, as well as some more complex issues. Regularly attends business partner meetings to better understand business initiatives, processes and needs.

• Researches legal precedents and regulations, defines legal and factual issues, drafts necessary legal documents and develops conclusions. 

• Builds relationships and provides legal counsel primarily to other attorneys and business partners on legal matters within an area of expertise. 

• Assists with the effective resolution of routine to complex issues. May have occasional interaction with persons outside of the company on behalf of the organization.

• Keeps appropriate business partners and leaders advised of key issues that impact them. Stays informed of new legislative, regulatory, and case law activity in area of expertise. 

• Works as a team member on multiple group/client assignments.

• Leads teams on tasks, projects or assignments as needed. May train or mentor less experienced attorneys or paralegals on procedural, business or legal issues.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned. 

Reporting Relationships: May report to AVP / Managing Counsel/Senior Counsel/Counsel. 

Typical Skills and Experiences: 

Education: JD from an American Bar Association-accredited law school.

License/Certification/Designation: Associates reporting within Nationwide’s Office of the Chief Legal Officer (OCLO) who are functioning in attorney roles must be fully licensed in accordance with OCLO policy, in good standing and in compliance with all continuing legal education requirements at all times in the state(s) in which they practice.

Experience: Proven legal expertise. Typically, four or more years of relevant legal experience.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Has a moderate amount of experience in an area of legal expertise. Knowledge of legal practices and procedures. Project management concepts and techniques. Proven verbal and written communication skills for interacting with mid-level OCLO associates and business partners. Analytical ability to interpret statutes, regulations, insurance policies and other contracts. Has limited decision-making ability. Ability to organize and coordinate projects and cases. Negotiation and conflict resolution skills. 

Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence. 

Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the hiring manager’s leader and Human Resources Business Partner.

Values: Regularly and consistently demonstrates the Nationwide Values.

Job Conditions: 

Overtime Eligibility: Exempt (Not Eligible)

Working Conditions: Normal office environment. Occasional or regular travel, depending on role. 

ADA: The above statements cover what are generally believed to be principal and essential functions of this job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some people assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties. 

Credit/Background Check: Due to the fiduciary accountabilities of this job, a valid credit and/or background check will be required as part of the selection process.

We currently anticipate accepting applications until 12/26/2024. However, we encourage early submissions, as the posting may close sooner if a strong candidate slate is identified before the deadline.

Benefits

We have an array of benefits to fit your needs, including: medical/dental/vision, life insurance, short and long term disability coverage, paid time off with newly hired associates receiving a minimum of 18 days paid time off each full calendar year pro-rated quarterly based on hire date, nine paid holidays, 8 hours of Lifetime paid time off, 8 hours of Unity Day paid time off, 401(k) with company match, company-paid pension plan, business casual attire, and more. To learn more about the benefits we offer, click here.

Nationwide is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels challenged, appreciated, respected and engaged. Nationwide prohibits discrimination and harassment and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to any characteristic (or classification) protected by applicable law.

This position could be filled within any of the lower 48 U.S. states.

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Smoke-Free Iowa Statement: Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, its affiliates and subsidiaries comply with the Iowa Smokefree Air Act. Smoking is prohibited in all enclosed areas on or around company premises as well as company issued vehicles. The company offers designated smoking areas in which smoking is permitted at each individual location. The Act prohibits retaliation for reporting complaints or violations. For more information on the Iowa Smokefree Air Act, individuals may contact the Smokefree Air Act Helpline at 888-944-2247.

For NY residents please review the following state law information: Notice of Employee Rights, Protections, and Obligations LS740 (ny.gov) https://dol.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2022/02/ls740_1.pdf

Nationwide pays on a geographic-specific salary structure and placement within the actual starting salary range for this position will be determined by a number of factors including the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; the scope, complexity and location of the role as well as the cost of labor in the market; and other conditions of employment. If a Sales job, Sales Incentives, based on performance goals are possible in addition to this range.

The national salary range for Counsel - 651003 : $95,000.00-$182,000.00

The expected starting salary range for Counsel - 651003 : $103,000.00 - $155,000.00

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