Assistant General Counsel – Compensation, Benefits & HR Policy

Assistant General Counsel – Compensation, Benefits & HR Policy

Job Description

The Assistant General Counsel, Compensation, Benefits & HR Policy, provides strategic legal counsel to Citizens Bank on executive compensation, sales incentive compensation, employee benefits, leave administration, and human resources policy matters. This role partners closely with Human Resources, Sales Performance Management, and senior leaders to design, implement, and oversee compensation and benefits programs in compliance with applicable federal and state laws and banking regulations.

The ideal candidate brings deep subject matter expertise in compensation and benefits law within a regulated sales environment, exercises strong judgment, and offers practical, business‑focused legal advice. This role requires excellent drafting skills and a thoughtful approach to risk management in a complex and evolving regulatory landscape.

The successful candidate will join a collaborative, high‑performing legal team and assume meaningful responsibility from day one.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal advice on the design, implementation, and governance of executive compensation and sales incentive compensation programs.
• Advise on equity‑based, deferred, and other incentive compensation arrangements, including plan documentation and participant agreements.
• Draft and negotiate executive employment agreements, offer letters, retention agreements, promissory notes, and severance arrangements.
• Counsel Human Resources on compliance with FMLA, ADA, USERRA, and applicable state and local leave laws, including paid leave requirements, accommodation requests, and interactive process obligations.
• Monitor and advise on legislative, regulatory, and industry developments affecting compensation, benefits, and related employment matters.
• Provide legal guidance and support for reductions in force, including review of selection criteria and adverse impact analyses.
• Support mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic transactions by identifying and assessing compensation‑ and benefits‑related risks, conducting due diligence, and drafting employment‑related provisions of transaction documents.
• Manage and resolve disputes, claims, and litigation relating to compensation and benefits matters.

Qualifications, Education, Certifications and/or Other Professional Credentials

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and active bar membership in good standing.
• At least 3 years of legal experience with a strong focus on compensation and benefits law.
• Experience advising financial institutions or other highly regulated, sales‑driven organizations preferred.
• Excellent legal judgment, written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to influence across functions.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, collaborative, and evolving environment.

Hours & Work Schedule

• Hours per Week: 40
• Work Schedule: 8 AM-5 PM

Pay Transparency 

• The salary range for this position is $190,000 - $200,000 per year, plus an opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus. Actual pay is based on various factors including but not limited to the work location, and relevant skills and experience.   
• We offer competitive pay, comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, retirement benefits, maternity/paternity leave, flexible work arrangements, education reimbursement, wellness programs and more. Note, Citizens’ paid time off policy exceeds the mandatory, paid sick or paid time-away policy of every local and state jurisdiction in the United States. For an overview of our benefits, visit https://jobs.citizensbank.com/benefits.

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Equal Employment Opportunity

Citizens, its parent, subsidiaries, and related companies (Citizens) provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all colleagues and applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, citizenship, physical or mental disability, perceived disability or history or record of a disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, genetic characteristic, marital or domestic partner status, victim of domestic violence, family status/parenthood, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy/childbirth/lactation, colleague’s or a dependent’s reproductive health decision making, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by federal, state and/or local laws. At Citizens, we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that enables all colleagues to bring their best selves to work every day and everyone is expected to be treated with respect and professionalism. Employment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, performance and capability.

Equal Employment and Opportunity Employer

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Background Check

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the candidate successfully passing a background check, which may include initial credit, motor vehicle record, public record, prior employment verification, and criminal background checks. Results of the background check are individually reviewed based upon legal requirements imposed by our regulators and with consideration of the nature and gravity of the background history and the job offered. Any offer of employment will include further information.