Join the World's Top Legal Talent Network

Our purpose – Opening up a world of opportunity – explains why we exist. Here at HSBC we use our unique expertise, capabilities, breadth and perspectives to open up new kinds of opportunity for our more than 40 million customers. We’re bringing together the people, ideas and capital that nurture progress and growth, helping to create a better world – for our customers, our people, our investors, our communities and the planet we all share.

The Legal team provides expert and professional legal advice, guidance and support to HSBC’s businesses and functions, as well as to to ensure that the legal and reputational risks are identified, reported and mitigated. This role will typically report to a Managing Associate General Counsel.

As our Senior Legal Counsel, Benefits & Compensation you will:

• Maintain and develop positive and professional working relationships with all team members within Legal and assigned departments for which the jobholder is responsible
• Have a working understanding of and be able to convey to stakeholders the requirements of ERISA and the IRS Code as they relate to the providing of benefits and compensation to employees, including with respect to pension plans, health and welfare plans, incentive, and nonqualified deferred compensation
• Be able to provide legal advice to stakeholders related to the fiduciary responsibilities that attach to ERISA plans
• Assist with the reviewing, drafting, and negotiation of agreements with benefits service providers
• Review and drafting amendments to plan documents
• Aid with the fulfillment of plan administration requirements, including but not limited to the reviewing of required communications and 5500 filings
• Manage actual and potential litigation and enforcement matters, including with respect to internal claim and review practices
• Interpret existing laws, rules, and regulations, and advise on changes thereto
• Manage the approach to legal risk within assigned departments, to ensure that the interests of the HSBC Group are adequately protected
• Assist the business to remain compliant with legal risk management requirements set out in the Group Standards Manual and Legal FIM
• Ensure compliance, operational risk controls in accordance with HSBC or regulatory standards and policies
• Be responsible for providing legal advice to Human Resources and other stakeholders
• Provide prompt, commercial, practical legal advice to assigned areas
• Be pro-active in the provision of legal support and in advising the area/business promptly of material legal developments and their implications
• Ensure legal management is fully briefed on major issues arising in relevant business area and major legislative changes in area of expertise
• Liaise with panel law firms and other appropriate external parties as needed
• Be required to manage multiple stakeholders and prioritize workloads balancing legal risk and commercial consideration
• Enhance relationships with higher levels of management inspiring confidence of customers/stakeholders
• Establish close mutually supportive working relationships with other members of the Global Legal Function
• Maintain HSBC internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators

For this role, HSBC targets a pay range between $189,300.00 and $283,900.00

The final fixed pay offer will depend on the candidate and a number of variables, including but not limited to, role responsibilities, skill set, depth of experience and education, licensing/certification requirements, internal relativity, and specific work location.

At HSBC, our overall goal is to provide a competitive Total Reward Package, with an appropriate mix of fixed pay, and variable pay, as part of an employee’s overall total compensation and benefits. Variable pay generally takes the form of discretionary, annual awards (sometimes referred to as a “bonus”). Additionally, HSBC offers a wide range of competitive and flexible benefits designed to help you improve your health and well-being, finances, and lifestyle.

Qualifications - You´ll likely have the following qualifications to succeed in this role:

• Juris Doctorate degree as well as admission to applicable state Bar
• Specific experience in ERISA, benefits and compensation in a law firm or in-house setting
• Strong legal research skills
• Ability to quickly apply abstract concepts of law and make quick and innovative decisions
• Excellent communication and influencing skills
• Consistently and eagerly work on enhancing and upgrading his/her skills leveraging internal and external sources
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and demonstrates an innovative and proactive approach to building new and advanced MI and reporting analytics

In compliance with applicable laws, HSBC is committed to employing only those who are authorized to work in the U.S. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. as HSBC will not engage in immigration sponsorship for this position.

As an HSBC employee, you will have access to tailored professional development opportunities to ensure you have the right skills for today and tomorrow. We offer a competitive pay and benefits package including a robust Wellness Hub, all in a welcoming, diverse and inclusive work environment. You will be empowered to drive HSBC’s engagement with the communities we serve through an industry-leading volunteerism policy, a generous matching gift program, and a comprehensive program of immersive Sustainability and Climate Change Initiatives. You’ll want to join our Employee Resource Groups as they play a central part in life at HSBC, including the development of our employees and networking inside and outside of HSBC. We value difference. We succeed together. We take responsibility. We get it done. And we want you to help us build the bank of the future!

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, race, national origin, ethnicity, disability or medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran service, religion, creed, sex, gender, pregnancy, childbirth, caregiver status, marital status, citizenship or immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other trait protected by applicable law.