Senior Counsel, Employee Comp & Benefits

At Bristol Myers Squibb, our employees often ask, “Who are you working for?”—a question that fuels collaboration, accountability, and urgency in our work. Our purpose-driven culture inspires us to discover, develop, and deliver innovative medicines to prevail over serious diseases. We offer uniquely interesting and meaningful work, opportunities for growth, and a supportive environment that values inclusion, wellbeing, flexibility, and comprehensive benefits. This is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it.

Position Summary

The Senior Corporate Counsel, Benefits and Executive Compensation will provide legal counsel on employee benefits, executive compensation and related compliance with ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code and other applicable laws. This role supports key governance functions related to employee benefits and executive compensation, including plan design, compliance and fiduciary oversight, and contributes to integration efforts during M&A transactions.

Key Responsibilities

- Provide legal guidance on employee benefits and executive compensation matters, including health & welfare, qualified DB and DC and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, and related fiduciary obligations.
- Support plan various re-design initiatives, including drafting and reviewing amendments, coordinating with internal stakeholders/external counsel, and ensuring compliance with ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code.
- Support Employment Law and HR policy teams with interpretation and design of severance plan and claims.
- Work with Corporate Governance and Treasury teams with required SEC disclosures, including proxy, Form 10-K and Form 11-K as relating to compensation and benefit plans.
- Review and advise on DOL/IRS filings and disclosures, including Form 5500 and PBGC-related documentation.
- Draft bonus and equity compensation award agreements and/or communications and support implementation.
- Assist with review of vendor agreements, including coordination with procurement and compliance teams.
- Support fiduciary governance, including preparation of committee meeting minutes and training materials.
- Support integration efforts in connection with M&A transactions, including transitioning employees to company plans and ensuring alignment with internal policies and external legal requirements.

Qualifications & Experience

- 10+ years of legal experience in employee benefits, executive compensation and related fiduciary governance.
- J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school and license to practice law in the U.S.
- Expertise in ERISA, HIPAA, Internal Revenue Code (including section 409A), and other regulatory frameworks governing qualified and non-qualified plans ( e.g., 401(k), pension, NQDC).
- Strong judgment, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Experience supporting senior leadership and corporate transactions.

#LI-Hybrid

We hire for skills and capabilities, not just credentials – if this role excites you, but doesn’t perfectly match your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway.

Compensation Overview:
Princeton - NJ - US: $221,340 - $268,212 


The starting pay range(s) listed above is for full-time employees (FTE). You may also be eligible for additional discretionary incentive cash and stock opportunities. We determine starting pay thoughtfully – carefully considering the nature of the role, required skills, work location, schedule and the knowledge and experience you bring. Final compensation is guided by pay equity principles and applicable employment laws. Compensation programs are reviewed on an ongoing basis and may be adjusted over time to reflect evolving market factors, and individual, team or Company performance.

Benefits:

Subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans then in effect, you may be eligible to participate in our comprehensive benefit plans – including wellbeing support, retirement and financial protection benefits, and insurance offerings (medical, dental, vision, life and disability).

U.S.-based exempt employees are eligible for Flexible Time Off (FTO), which provides paid time off without a set accrual limit, subject to manager approval, along with 11 paid company holidays each year.

Non-exempt employees, RayzeBio employees, and employees located in Puerto Rico receive 160 hours of paid vacation annually for new hires (subject to manager approval), 11 paid company holidays, and 3 optional holidays.

Depending on eligibility, employees may also have access to additional time-off benefits, including paid sick leave, up to two paid volunteer days per year, summer hours flexibility, and leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, or military needs. Eligible employees also enjoy an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

U.S.-based job seekers can explore full benefit offerings at https://careers.bms.com/benefits

How We Work

Where you work matters – because collaboration, innovation and patient impact happen in many settings. Our roles are structured across four work models: site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design. The model assigned to this role is based on its core responsibilities. Learn more at https://careers.bms.com/ways-of-working.

Supporting People with Disabilities

BMS is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace accommodations/adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request a reasonable workplace accommodation/adjustment prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodations/adjustments in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, direct your inquiries to  [email protected] . Visit  careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility  to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

Candidate Rights

BMS will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area.

For roles based in Los Angeles County only:  If you live in or expect to work from Los Angeles County if hired for this position, please visit this page for important additional information:  https://careers.bms.com/california-residents/

Data Protection

We will never request payments, financial information, or social security numbers during our application or recruitment process. Learn more about protecting yourself at  https://careers.bms.com/fraud-protection .

Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations.

If this posting is missing required information required by local law or incorrect, contact BMS at  [email protected] with the Job Title and Requisition number. Do not send application-related inquiries to this email. To check your application status, please login to your Candidate Home Account.

R1606781 : Senior Counsel, Employee Comp & Benefits