Legal Counsel – Employee Benefits and Compensation

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JOB DESCRIPTION

As a member of a dynamic legal team, the attorney in this position will serve as a critical business partner and legal adviser, reporting to the Director of Global Litigation, Employment and Brand Protection. The Legal Counsel – Employee Benefits role will support the Total Rewards group, and will have primary responsibility for partnering closely with and providing advice and support to Pizza Hut’s Human Resources benefits teams, plan fiduciaries, and other internal colleagues at all levels of the Company regarding benefit plan design, implementation, interpretation, and compliance with respect to: health and welfare plans; wellness initiatives; disability and leave programs; defined contribution retirement plans, including benefit plan and program compliance with ERISA, Affordable Care Act, HIPAA, the Internal Revenue Code, COBRA and related state laws; tuition assistance programs, and various other benefit programs provided by the Company.

This role will also provide legal support for nonqualified plans and executive compensation as needed, such as deferred compensation, bonus and other incentive compensation, and other employee reward and recognition programs.

The successful candidate will have a strategic growth mindset and a passion for providing world-class legal support by collaboratively working across business units while consistently modeling Pizza Hut’s cultural values. Legal Counsel will also perform other essential Law Department functions and responsibilities as assigned.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Monitor developments in employee benefits law and policy, and proactively coordinate with HR teams and others, to ensure ongoing compliance with legal and policy requirements;
• Provide day-to-day employee benefits legal advice to Pizza Hut’s benefits teams, plan fiduciaries, and other internal colleagues;
• Provide analysis and review of benefit plans and benefit plan administration, including drafting and reviewing plan documents and amendments, summary plan descriptions, participant communications, open enrollment materials, legal notices and other employee benefits documents;
• Provide compliance support for annual governmental filings, required plan testing, operational reviews, and correction;
• Review and negotiate service provider agreements;
• Coordinate strategically with HR and Litigation teams, and work closely with outside counsel, to defend Pizza Hut in government investigations and private benefits litigation, if applicable;
• Partner with HR Business Partners on advice and counsel and compliance related to leaves of absence and accommodations; and
• Develop and deliver training to HR professionals, plan fiduciaries and business leaders on legal requirements, fiduciary responsibilities, and emerging risks affecting employee benefit plans and compensation programs.

QUALIFICATIONS

Location: This position is required to work in person from the Plano, Texas office three days a week – Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Remote work Monday and Friday is permitted.

Education:

• Juris Doctor (JD) Degree from an ABA accredited law school

Experience (and other qualifications):

• Active license to practice law in Texas (or ability to obtain in-house counsel registration where required);
• 4 – 8 years of experience in a law firm or in-house legal department, with a primary focus on Employment Benefits law;
• Ability to assess and weigh risks against operational needs to develop reasoned recommendations, including risk mitigation strategies;
• Ability to work quickly and competently to prioritize, manage, and multi-task in a fast paced and dynamic working environment;
• Ability to deliver sound, clear and practical legal advice, both verbally and in writing;
• Ability to develop strong working relationships with colleagues and internal clients;
• Ability to self-start and work proactively to advance business objectives to completion;
• Solution-oriented and collaborative mindset, including ability to work successfully in a team environment;
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to listen and effectively explain complex legal issues to non-lawyers in one-on-one and large presentation formats;
• High personal and professional integrity, including the ability to establish personal credibility within the department and Company; and
• Is at least 18 years of age and has authorization to work in the United States.

Salary Range: $125,200 to $147,200 annually + bonus eligibility. This is the expected salary range for this position. Ultimately, in determining pay, we'll consider the successful candidate’s location, experience, and other job-related factors.