Our vision for the future is based on the idea that transforming financial lives starts by giving our people the freedom to transform their own. We have a flexible work environment, and fluid career paths. We not only encourage but celebrate internal mobility. We also recognize the importance of purpose, well-being, and work-life balance. Within Empower and our communities, we work hard to create a welcoming and inclusive environment, and our associates dedicate thousands of hours to volunteering for causes that matter most to them.

Chart your own path and grow your career while helping more customers achieve financial freedom. Empower Yourself.

Our vision for the future is based on the idea that transforming financial lives starts by giving our people the freedom to transform their own. We have a flexible work environment and fluid career paths. We not only encourage but celebrate internal mobility. We also recognize the importance of purpose, well-being, and work-life balance. Within Empower and our communities, we work hard to create a welcoming and inclusive environment, and our associates dedicate thousands of hours to volunteering for causes that matter most to them.

Chart your own path and grow your career while helping more customers achieve financial freedom. Empower Yourself.

Empower is transforming how Americans experience wealth, bridging workplace retirement and personal wealth products and services to deliver more holistic, accessible financial solutions.

Empower is seeking a Counsel to join the Advisory & Broker-Dealer legal team, which provides legal advice and guidance to Empower and its affiliated companies. The Advisory & Broker-Dealer legal team handles a broad range of complex legal matters relating to Empower's full-service recordkeeping and administration of corporate, not-for-profit and governmental defined contribution and defined benefit employee benefit plans and Empower's retail product and service offerings, including IRAs, brokerage accounts, and managed accounts advisory services under the "Empower Personal Wealth" brand.

Empower is seeking a Counsel to join the Advisory & Broker-Dealer legal team, which provides legal advice and guidance to Empower and its affiliated companies. The Advisory & Broker-Dealer legal team handles a broad range of complex legal matters relating to Empower’s full-service recordkeeping and administration of corporate, not-for-profit and governmental defined contribution and defined benefit employee benefit plans and Empower’s retail product and service offerings, including IRAs, brokerage accounts, and managed accounts advisory services under the “Empower Personal Wealth” brand.

What you will do:

• Advise on matters pertaining to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”), including registration requirements, disclosure obligations, and fiduciary duties;
• Advise on matters concerning the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”), such as Regulation Best Interest, reporting and disclosure obligations, trading regulations, and corporate governance requirements;
• Advise on compliance with Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) rules and regulations, including broker-dealer conduct, advertising, and recordkeeping requirements; 
• Monitor, research, review, and analyze new state and federal laws and regulations impacting Empower’s broker-dealer and investment advisory business;
• Partner with Empower business groups and leaders to identify and address legal issues, including product development, sales, operations, client service, call center, marketing and education teams;
• Support the negotiation of Empower contractual arrangements with plan sponsors and individual clients related to brokerage and/or advisory services;
• Provide legal counsel on corporate governance matters related to the Advisers Act, Exchange Act, and FINRA rules;
• Advise on legal and regulatory issues related to stock plan services, including equity compensation plan administration, participant-facing brokerage and advisory service considerations, disclosures, client agreements, operations, and related product or service initiatives;
• Advise on political contributions, pay-to-play, and political law compliance matters, including related policies, monitoring, disclosures, public sector client considerations, and applicable federal, state, and local requirements; and
• Interact with representatives from the FINRA, SEC, and state regulatory agencies and assist with responses to various regulatory inquiries.

The position requires the following skills and expertise:

• Ability to efficiently identify and analyze the legal aspects of a business problem and provide practical, actionable legal advice;
• Willingness to engage and build relationships with business clients at all levels of seniority as a trusted legal partner;
• Ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and efficiently verbally and in writing to non-lawyers and provide risk-based compliance approaches;
• Ability to work as a team member, both within the Workplace Solutions & Empower Personal Wealth legal team and with other legal department colleagues; and
• Ability to work independently to manage multiple, competing priorities and attain results by exercising appropriate judgment to manage matters through ambiguity and to completion.

What you will bring:

• Juris Doctor / Law Degree from an accredited law school
• Current admission to at least one state bar and a license to practice law in the United State
• 2 or more years of relevant legal experience
• Ability to efficiently identify and analyze the legal aspects of a business problem and provide practical, actionable legal advice
• Ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and efficiently verbally and in writing to non-lawyers and provide risk-based compliance approaches
• Ability to work as a team member, both within the Empower Workplace Solutions and Empower Personal Wealth legal team and with other legal department colleagues
• Ability to engage and build relationships with business clients at all levels of seniority as a trusted legal advisor

What will set you apart:

• In-house experience at a broker-dealer firm, investment adviser, insurance company, retirement recordkeeper, or other financial services company with experience in advising on broker-dealer matters, investment products and/or investment advisory services strongly preferred
• Familiarity with the Advisers Act, Exchange Act, and/or FINRA rules
• Experience advising on stock plan services, equity compensation plan administration, or related brokerage, advisory, and participant-service matters
• Experience with political contributions, pay-to-play, and political law compliance for regulated financial services firms, including related policies, monitoring, disclosure, and public sector client issues
• Previous experience related to corporate governance matters for a large organization

How We Work at Empower

At Empower, how we work matters as much as what we build. We value collaboration, transparency, and shared ownership, and our legal team is viewed as a critical enabler of innovation - not a barrier.

We are looking for someone who:

• Operates with a "one team" mindset, building strong, trust-based relationships across functions
• Communicates clearly and pragmatically, translating complex legal concepts into actionable guidance
• Takes accountability, exercises sound judgment, and leads with integrity
• Embraces Empower's values and contributes to a culture where diverse perspectives and ideas drive better outcomes
• Proactively aligns with legal, compliance, and risk partners to ensure consistent, enterprise-wide positions, avoiding siloed or fragmented advice

Why Empower

Empower is uniquely positioned at the convergence of retirement and wealth. This creates an opportunity to support differentiated products and services in a way that meaningfully improves financial outcomes for millions of people. In this role, you will help support the legal foundation for how retirement and wealth solutions converge, an area of increasing focus across the industry and one where Empower is positioned to lead.

If you are looking for a role where you can build practical legal skills, contribute to innovative solutions, and be part of a collaborative, mission-driven culture, we would like to meet you.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time, including CPT/OPT.

What we offer you

We offer an array of diverse and inclusive benefits regardless of where you are in your career. We believe that providing our employees with the means to lead healthy balanced lives results in the best possible work performance.

• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• Retirement savings - 401(k) plan with generous company matching contributions (up to 6%), financial advisory services, potential company discretionary contribution, and a broad investment lineup
• Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250/year
• Business-casual environment that includes the option to wear jeans
• Generous paid time off upon hire - including a paid time off program plus ten paid company holidays and three floating holidays each calendar year
• Paid volunteer time - 16 hours per calendar year
• Leave of absence programs - including paid parental leave, paid short- and long-term disability, and Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)
• Business Resource Groups (BRGs) - BRGs facilitate inclusion and collaboration across our business internally and throughout the communities where we live, work and play. BRGs are open to all.

What we offer you

We offer an array of diverse and inclusive benefits regardless of where you are in your career. We believe that providing our employees with the means to lead healthy balanced lives results in the best possible work performance.

• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• Retirement savings – 401(k) plan with generous company matching contributions (up to 6%), financial advisory services, potential company discretionary contribution, and a broad investment lineup
• Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250/year
• Business-casual environment that includes the option to wear jeans
• Generous paid time off upon hire – including a paid time off program plus ten paid company holidays and three floating holidays each calendar year
• Paid volunteer time — 16 hours per calendar year
• Leave of absence programs – including paid parental leave, paid short- and long-term disability, and Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)
• Business Resource Groups (BRGs) –  BRGs facilitate inclusion and collaboration across our business internally and throughout the communities where we live, work and play. BRGs are open to all.

Base Salary Range

The salary range above shows the typical minimum to maximum base salary range for this position in the location listed. Non-sales positions have the opportunity to participate in a bonus program. Sales positions are eligible for sales incentives, and in some instances a bonus plan, whereby total compensation may far exceed base salary depending on individual performance. Actual compensation offered may vary from posted hiring range based upon geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be finalized at the time of offer.

Equal opportunity employer •  Drug-free workplace

We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity.  All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age (40 and over), race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, religion, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law. 

***For remote and hybrid positions you will be required to provide reliable high-speed internet with a wired connection as well as a place in your home to work with limited disruption. You must have reliable connectivity from an internet service provider that is fiber, cable or DSL internet. Other necessary computer equipment, will be provided. You may be required to work in the office if you do not have an adequate home work environment and the required internet connection.***

Job Posting End Date at 12:01 am on:

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