About the Role:
We're looking for an Associate Counsel, Annuity & Life Insurance Product to provide legal leadership across the full lifecycle of annuity and life insurance products. The primary role of this individual will be to represent the Legal & Compliance department as a partner to the Product Development & Implementation Team, advising on product design, regulatory compliance, and distribution strategy.
You'll play a critical role in supporting new product launches and ongoing management of in-force business, while identifying and mitigating legal risk in complex, high-impact situations. This position requires a strategic, business-oriented attorney with deep insurance expertise and the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders.
What You'll Do:
Product Development & Legal Advisory
- Provide legal guidance on the design and development of annuity and life insurance products
- Review policy forms, administrative materials, product illustrations, and operational guidelines
- Act as a core member of the Product Development & Implementation Team, ensuring legal alignment through product launches
Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure products, marketing, and operations comply with insurance regulations (e.g., suitability, replacements, sales practices)
- Identify legal risks across complex and ambiguous scenarios and develop practical mitigation strategies
- Draft legal memoranda, documentation, and recommendations to support risk-informed decision-making
Distribution Strategy & Channel Support
- Partner with Distribution to support expansion across independent, bank, and broker-dealer channels
- Draft and negotiate selling agreements and related distribution contracts
- Provide ongoing legal support for channel-specific regulatory and operational considerations
Inforce Product & Ongoing Legal Support
- Advise on legal and compliance matters related to in-force annuity and life insurance blocks
- Support resolution of product-related legal issues as they arise across the business
Cross-Functional Partnership & Governance
- Collaborate closely with Product, Actuarial, Compliance, and Operations teams to align legal guidance with business objectives
- Partner with the Deputy General Counsel, General Counsel, and broader Legal & Compliance team on key initiatives and regulatory responses
- Participate in business meetings to proactively identify legal considerations and support execution timelines
What You Bring:
- Law degree (J.D. or equivalent) and bar admission required, with practice and knowledge annuities and life insurance products.
- 7+ years of relevant experience either with a law firm, insurance company, or other financial services institution.
- 5+ years of progressive experience in annuities and life insurance products.
- Experience working closely with Distribution, Actuarial, Product Filing and Operational functions.
- A strategic end to end view in organizing and planning work or initiatives and ability to deliver exceptional results and outcomes that involve managing or influencing others.
- A mastery of both written and oral communications with the goal to provide concise, clear messaging to persuade the audience, especially at the executive level.
Core Competencies
- Insurance Product & Regulatory Expertise: Deep knowledge of annuity and life insurance products and associated regulatory requirements
- Legal Risk Assessment & Mitigation: Ability to identify, assess, and manage legal risks in complex, high-impact business scenarios
- Product & Distribution Advisory: Expertise supporting product development and multi-channel distribution strategies, including contract negotiation
- Executive Communication & Influence: Communicates complex legal concepts clearly and provides persuasive, actionable guidance to senior stakeholders
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Strong partner across Product, Distribution, Actuarial, and Compliance teams to align legal and business objectives
- Strategic Execution & Judgment: Brings a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results
What We Offer:
- A collaborative, inclusive environment that values authenticity, accountability, and partnership
- The opportunity to join the company at an exciting stage of growth, where colleagues are empowered to build what's next
- A variable compensation package with a base range of $180K-$200K
- A competitive benefits package including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage; an HSA and 401(k) company match; paid time off; and employer-paid life and disability insurance
- This role is based in either our Austin, TX or New York, NY offices. The company may consider remote or hybrid work in certain situations
