Expert-level understanding of benefits structures and compliance requirements
Strong commercial acumen in vendor evaluation and contract considerations
Highly skilled in relationship and stakeholder management
Minimum of three (3) years in employee benefits administration
Minimum of five (5) years cumulative experience
Bachelor's degree or equivalent, or nine (9) years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
Responsibilities
Provide guidance and oversight to team members on complex cases and escalated inquiries
Support key compliance initiatives including COBRA administration and ERISA requirements
Lead and coordinate annual benefit renewals, including timelines and contract management
Make expert recommendations on benefit enhancements and vendor selection
Develop and update internal processes and employee communications
Protect and maintain confidential and sensitive information
Benefits
Comprehensive healthcare, life, and disability insurance
Generous 401k plan
At least 11 paid holidays and 23 days PTO in the first year, increasing with tenure
Access to well-being programs including mental health services
Professional development programs
Employee discounts
Participation in affinity groups and networks
Full Job Description
About the Role
The Well-Being & Benefits Lead is an integral part of Latham's Well-Being & Benefits team. This role will be responsible for providing strategic oversight across multiple programs, with a strong focus on benefits planning, vendor management, and large-scale initiatives, while acting as a high-level escalation point for complex coverage issues, vendor performance concerns, billing discrepancies, and service failures. This role will be located in our New York office. Please note that this role may be eligible for a flexible working schedule that allows for a hybrid and in-office presence.
Responsibilities & Qualifications
Other key responsibilities include:
Providing guidance and oversight to team members on complex cases, and responding to escalated employee inquiries
Leading and coordinating annual benefit renewals, including planning timelines, broker discussions, market reviews, system setup, carrier files integrations, and contract management
Making expert recommendations on benefit enhancements, planning design changes, and vendor selection, based on market and performance data
Developing and updating internal processes, job aids, and standard operating procedures; coordinating updates to employee communications (e.g. benefits guides, FAQs, intranet content); documenting resolutions and looks for process improvements
Protecting and maintaining any highly sensitive, confidential, privileged, financial, and/or proprietary information that Latham & Watkins retains
We'd love to hear from you if you:
Demonstrate expert-level understanding of benefits structures and compliance requirements across the relevant region
Display strong commercial acumen, including vendor evaluation, benchmarking, and contract considerations
Are highly skilled in relationship and stakeholder management, including external vendors and senior internal partners
And have:
A minimum of three (3) years in employee benefits administration
A minimum of five (5) years of cumulative experience
Bachelor's degree or equivalent
A minimum of nine years' (9) experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
Benefits & Additional Information
Successful candidates will not only be provided with an outstanding career opportunity and welcoming environment, but will also be provided with a generous total compensation package with bonuses awarded in recognition of both individual and firm performance. Eligible employees can participate in Latham's comprehensive benefit program which includes:
Healthcare, life and disability insurance
A generous 401k plan
At least 11 paid holidays per year, and a PTO program that accrues 23 days during the first year of employment and grows with tenure
Well-being programs (e.g. mental health services, mindfulness and resiliency, medical resources, well-being events, and more)
Professional development programs
Employee discounts
Affinity groups, networks, and coalitions for lawyers and staff
