Benefits counselor job description

This position will report to Managing Counsel, Labor and Employment, System, and be assigned to the System Employment Practice Group in Livonia, Michigan. The position will require expertise in all areas related to employee benefits to provide critical legal support to the Trinity Health Total Rewards Team. Primary responsibilities will include providing advice and counsel related to pension, retirement, health and wellbeing benefits plans and programs, compliance with reporting and disclosure requirements, participating in DOL or IRS audits, advising on existing and new statutory and regulatory requirements, and drafting and/or review of participant communications. Plans include those covered by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA") and ERISA-exempt plans, as well as tax-qualified and non-qualified retirement plans. The position will serve as counsel to the Benefits Committee, including preparing and presenting meeting materials regarding plans, plan administration and appeals, and providing advice and counsel to the Benefits Committee.

This position will regularly interface with outside benefits counsel regarding ERISA and ERISA-exempt plan operation, design and drafting, fiduciary issues, advice and counsel to the Benefits Committee, and appeals related to plans.

This position will also provide employee benefits support on legal matters for Trinity Health and its operating entities relating to mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, JOAs and other strategic and innovative investments and emerging transaction models for affiliations with nonprofit, for profit, Catholic and other than Catholic entities (collectively referred to as "transactions"). Assists Human Resources executives, Human Resources Centers of Expertise, legal colleagues, and business development team with all employee benefits aspects of transactions, including but not limited to due diligence and documenting transactions.
**POSITION PURPOSE**

Provides legal services for the Trinity Health System Office and assigned Ministries as a member of the Trinity Health Legal Department and in coordination with the needs of the System Office and assigned Ministries' senior management teams and consistent with the strategies and priorities of the organization. Serves as an experienced high-level specialist with responsibility for one or more important aspects of the organization's legal work, regularly interfaces with senior management and key administrators on legal problems/issues relative to one or more particular areas of specialization or expertise and may provide functional training/guidance to less-experienced attorneys. This level represents the most senior skill level with little or no supervisory responsibility.

**ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS**

Knows, understands, incorporates and demonstrates the mission, vision and values of Trinity Health in leadership behaviors, practices and decisions. Performs a variety of legal work within specific areas of expertise as part of the Trinity Health Legal Department. Prepares formal memoranda and legal opinion on subjects that require extensive legal research. Consults and advises with and performs a variety of legal assignments for Ministries and System Office colleagues, which may include: Trinity Health officers and other management personnel; Ministry management and governance; and/or a fiduciary board of a regional delivery network or individual Ministry. Resolves or oversees matters involving substantial monetary amounts or other substantial risk to Trinity Health. Represents the interests of the assigned Ministries and Trinity Health in contacts with outside parties including attorneys, managers and officials of other companies and government agencies. Provides legal counsel to System Office and/or assigned Ministries and their operating entities or Service Area with respect to matters either in the particular field of law or in which the attorney has special expertise, or in the general field of corporate healthcare law. May perform legal services of a system-wide benefit, including as part of a Center of Excellence or practice group of the Trinity Health Legal Department. Advises management on developments in the area of expertise or corporate healthcare law in which the attorney specializes and which may impact Trinity Health. Coordinates activities of outside counsel engaged to provide legal services to Trinity Health and/or Ministries. May provide direction to, and supervision of, more junior attorneys. Maintains a working knowledge of applicable Federal, State and local laws/regulations; Trinity Health's policies and procedures, as well as the Organizational Integrity Program, and Standards of Conduct, in order to ensure adherence in a manner that reflects honest, ethical and professional behavior.

**MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS**

Licensed attorney holding a J.D. degree from a recognized law school. Must have a minimum of seven (7) years experience practicing law with at least three (3) years experience in the practice of corporate healthcare law preferred, including the laws affecting tax-exempt organizations, with demonstrated legal capability covering diverse legal assignments that occasionally include legal matters of major significance. Must possess highly effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to relate directly, openly, and effectively with both internal and external constituencies. Must possess the ability to work independently on routine matters. However, is expected to seek guidance and accept supervision on more complicated matters or where substantial amounts of money or significant other risks to Trinity Health are involved. Must be comfortable operating in a collaborative, shared leadership environment. Attorney's work is subject to review by Managing Counsel or by other, more senior members of the Legal Department. Must possess strong conceptual and analytical skills. Must possess strong negotiation skills. Must possess strong interpersonal and consultative skills. Ability to deal tactfully with diverse people, situations and ideas and present advisory, persuasive and authoritative recommendations to all levels of the organization. Must possess a personal presence that is characterized by a sense of honesty, integrity and caring with the ability to inspire and motivate others to promote the philosophy, mission, vision, goals and values of Trinity Health.

**PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS**

Must be able to set and organize own work priorities, and adapt to them as they change frequently. Must be able to work concurrently on a variety of tasks/projects in an environment that may be stressful with individuals having diverse personalities and work styles. Operates in a typical office environment. The area is well-lit, temperature controlled and free from hazards. Communicates frequently, in person and over the phone, with people in all locations on product support issues. Hearing is needed for extensive telephone and in person communication. Manual dexterity is needed in order to operate a computer keyboard. Must possess the ability to comply with Trinity Health policies and procedures.

5. This position is located at System Office in Livonia, Michigan or one or more assigned Ministries. Must be able to travel to the various Trinity Health sites.

_The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties so assigned._

**Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion**

Trinity Health is a family of 115,000 colleagues and nearly 26,000 physicians and clinicians across 25 states. Because we serve diverse populations, our colleagues are trained to recognize the cultural beliefs, values, traditions, language preferences, and health practices of the communities that we serve and to apply that knowledge to produce positive health outcomes. We also recognize that each of us has a different way of thinking and perceiving our world and that these differences often lead to innovative solutions.

Our dedication to diversity includes a unified workforce (through training and education, recruitment, retention, and development), commitment and accountability, communication, community partnerships, and supplier diversity.