Holmes Murphy is one of the nation’s largest privately held insurance brokerages. It is our mission to promote health, protect wealth, and deliver peace of mind to our clients. We pride ourselves on being a place where employees love what they do, and who they do it with! In fact, we live by our purpose statement of “Caring for your unique potential is our SOUL purpose!”
Offering a forward-thinking, innovative, and vibrant company culture, along with the opportunity to share your unique potential, there really is no place like Holmes! We truly believe every employee within our company contributes their own unique talents for the greater good, and we thrive on knowing our environment supports and cares for everyone’s individual strengths.
We are looking for an experienced Employee Benefits Attorney to join our Employee Benefits team in Minneapolis (MN), Dallas (TX), Waukee (IA), or Kansas City (MO)! Candidates thrive in our environment when they harness their collaborative mindset, strong interpersonal communication skills, and a love of learning.
This Employee Benefits Counsel position is responsible for providing expert compliance guidance to client experience teams and clients on potential risks of the design and administration of employee benefit program. This role works closely with internal teams to research and develop easily digestible compliance information for internal and external audiences. This individual must exercise independent legal judgment to develop internal legal guidance and interpretation of all aspects of existing and proposed benefits related laws and regulations, including but not limited to ERISA, the Code, ACA, HIPAA, IRS cafeteria plans, and DOL employer rules and disclosures.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Provide compliance guidance, both internally and with clients, regarding applicable federal and state laws, including all aspects of Internal Revenue Code (the Code), ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, internal Holmes Murphy policies and procedures, and other relevant laws and regulations as they affect employee benefit plans, to ensure effective client service and mitigate corporate risk.
- Develop and maintain internal educational tools for health and welfare employee benefits compliance.
- Participate in and lead meetings with Holmes Murphy employees and Holmes Murphy clients regarding employee benefits compliance questions and issues as requested by the Holmes Murphy service team.
- Facilitate compliance reviews and recommend adjustments to clients based upon current policies and procedures in order to maintain legal and regulatory compliance.
- Create and deliver educational content for Holmes Murphy employees to keep them abreast of legal and regulatory developments through individual interaction, internal and external webinars, seminars, etc.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Assist the compliance team with monitoring compliance vendor performance and resolve any service issues to ensure smooth delivery of services to our clients.
- Track healthcare-related legislation and regulations to provide analysis and updates on pending legislative and regulatory changes that can impact our business and clients.
- Provide general legal research on various matters for Holmes Murphy and affiliated companies.
- Provide strategic support to Legal and Compliance or Operations leadership and function as part of an employee benefits team to meet the overall objectives for the health and welfare employee benefits compliance team.
- Performs special projects and other duties as requested.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Excellent research, writing, presentation, communication and problem-solving skills with the ability to synthesize complex material into user-friendly end product.
- Possess general business acumen with a consultative approach to legal and compliance.
- Experience drafting white papers on benefits compliance issues and written legal analysis.
- Experience in public speaking, including developing and delivering benefits compliance training content.
- Strong attention to detail, organizational, and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.
- Proficient in Microsoft products and systems.
- Ability and willingness to consistently participate in internal and external educational opportunities to enhance knowledge of current insurance topics or relevant system improvements.
- Ability and willingness to pursue relevant designations and/or continuing education, as appropriate.
- Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form.
- Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
- Ability to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull objects.
- Must be knowledgeable of and comply with HMA’s Client Privacy Policy, HIPAA regulations and E&O procedures and policies.
Qualifications:
- Minimum 4-6 years ERISA and Employee Benefits and compliance experience.
- JD and licensed and in good standing desired; Active state bar license recommended.
- Prior experience at carrier or broker agency firm and/or Labor & Employment Law experience a plus.
Benefits: In addition to core benefits like health, dental and vision, also enjoy benefits such as:
- Paid Parental Leave and supportive New Parent Benefits — We know being a working parent is hard, and we want to support our employees in this journey!
- Company paid continuing Education & Tuition Reimbursement — We support those who want to develop and grow.
- 401k Profit Sharing — Each year, Holmes Murphy makes a lump sum contribution to every full-time employee’s 401k. This means, even if you’re not in a position to set money aside for the future at any point in time, Holmes Murphy will do it on your behalf! We are forward-thinking and want to be sure your future is cared for.
- Generous time off practices in addition to paid holidays — Yes, we actually encourage employees to use their time off, and they do. After all, you can’t be at your best for our clients if you’re not at your best for yourself first.
- Supportive of community efforts with paid Volunteer time off and employee matching gifts to charities that are important to you — Through our Holmes Murphy Foundation, we offer several vehicles where you can make an impact and care for those around you.
- DE&I programs — Holmes Murphy is committed to celebrating every employee’s unique diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) experience with us. Not only do we offer all employees a paid Diversity Day time off option, but we also have a Chief Diversity Officer on hand, as well as a DE&I project team, committee, and interest group. You will have the opportunity to take part in those if you wish!
- Consistent merit increase and promotion opportunities — Annually, employees are reviewed for merit increases and promotion opportunities because we believe growth is important — not only with your financial wellbeing, but also your career wellbeing.
- Discretionary bonus opportunity — Yes, there is an annual opportunity to make more money. Who doesn’t love that?!
Holmes Murphy & Associates is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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