Director, Legal - Global Compensation and Benefits

Job Description

The Director, Legal - Global Compensation and Benefits will be a member of a legal group that provides legal support and counseling, together with strategic and business advice, to the organization on a broad range of benefits matters with respect to the company’s global benefit plans, including its qualified and non-qualified pension and savings plans, health and welfare plans, and severance plans.

Responsibilities:

• Member of the Global Compensation and Benefits Legal Group
• Provide legal advice and counsel together with strategic and business advice to the organization on all issues relating to global benefit matters
• Provide advice and counsel on both qualified and non-qualified plan issues with respect to company-sponsored U.S., Puerto Rico and international health and welfare, pension, savings, life insurance, severance and disability plans, fringe benefit plans and programs
• Draft plan documents and amendments and review employee benefit related communications, including annual enrollment materials and summary plan descriptions
• Assist with all aspects of legal compliance with respect to the company’s U.S. and Puerto Rico health and welfare, severance, qualified and non-qualified pension/savings plans, including compliance with federal law under the Internal Revenue Code and ERISA and, where applicable, compliance with state law
• Support global benefit plan design committees
• Provide assistance to Labor Relations Team with regard to collective bargaining requirements under the company’s benefits programs
• Coordinate and assist with all aspects of ERISA benefits claims/appeals and related litigation
• Work with internal benefit review committees to respond to severance, savings and pension claims and appeals
• Assist with all employee benefits related issues with respect to U.S. & Ex-U.S. mergers and acquisitions
• Coordinate due diligence reviews
• Negotiate deal terms and conditions with regard to benefits related issues
• Draft language for the merger agreement and applicable employee matters agreement
• Support the post-acquisition integration of acquired companies into company plans and programs

Position Qualifications:

Location/Commute:

• We offer a Hybrid setup (combination of an in-office (3 days) & remote/offsite (2 days))
• This role is based at our Headquarters site in Rahway (NJ, USA) or from our PA sites in WestPoint or Upper Gwynedd, with travel to NJ site on as need basis.
• This position cannot be 100% remote.

Education Minimum Requirement:

• Graduate of an accredited US law school, with admission to the Bar of any state

Required Experience and Skills:

• A minimum of Four (4) or more years of benefits legal experience in a law firm, corporate setting, or other setting
• Broad experience in global benefits area
• Ability to form effective working relationships at all levels of an organization
• Ability to exercise judgment to drive decisions on routine and non-routine matters within area of practice
• Ability to further business objectives and appropriately balance divisional/function/corporate business objectives and legal risks on global benefits issues
• Excellent teamwork, communication (written and oral) and analytical skills, and a high degree of business acumen
• Experience in managing a significant workload, with the ability to juggle multiple matters simultaneously
• Ability to work independently with high degree of initiative and intellectual curiosity

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Some experience in global compensation (including Executive Compensation)
• Leadership skills

NOTICE FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS

In accordance with the Managers' Policy - Job Posting and Employee Placement, all employees subject to this policy are required to have a minimum of twelve (12) months of service in current position prior to applying for open positions.

If you have been offered a separation benefits package, but have not yet reached your separation date and are offered a position within the salary and geographical parameters as set forth in the Summary Plan Description (SPD) of your separation package, then you are no longer eligible for your separation benefits package. To discuss in more detail, please contact your HRBP or Talent Acquisition Advisor.

Current Employees apply HERE .

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE .

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.

The Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job in certain states and cities within the United States. Final determinations with respect to salary will take into account a number of factors, which may include, but not be limited to the primary work location and the chosen candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and education.

Expected US salary range: $181,600.00 - $285,800.00

Available benefits include bonus eligibility, long term incentive if applicable, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick days.

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities.

Employee Status: Regular

Relocation: Domestic

VISA Sponsorship: No

Travel Requirements: 10%

Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid

Shift: 1st - Day

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): N/A

Job Posting End Date: 10/26/2024