Absence & Employment Counsel - Sun Life Financial

You are as unique as your background, experience and point of view. Here, you’ll be encouraged, empowered and challenged to be your best self. You'll work with dynamic colleagues - experts in their fields - who are eager to share their knowledge with you. Your leaders will inspire and help you reach your potential and soar to new heights. Every day, you'll have new and exciting opportunities to make life brighter for our Clients - who are at the heart of everything we do. Discover how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities around the world.

Location:This role supports hybrid working arrangements in Wellesley, MA | Hartford, CT | Portland, ME | Kansas City, MO.

We look for optimistic people who want to make life brighter for our Clients. We understand the value of diverse cultures, perspectives, and identities, and want you to bring your full and authentic self to work. Every day,  you’ll be empowered and challenged by working with dynamic colleagues to find new and innovative ways to make Sun Life the best benefits company in America. 

The opportunity: 

Sun Life’s Employment and Leave Management Legal Team is seeking an attorney with knowledge and background in employment law and specifically in laws related to leave of absence and accommodations to join their team as Counsel.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President & Senior Counsel for the Employment Law/Absence Management Legal Team,  this role will be brought on to support all members of the Team.  The Team is responsible for both internal employment law issues and for providing advice and counsel related to the Company's absence management services, including interpretation and application of federal and state paid and unpaid leave and accommodation laws.  

How you will contribute: 

• Under the direction of members of the Employment and Leave Management team, you will provide legal advice and counsel related to employment law issues arising out of leaves of absence and accommodations.   You will primarily be working on matters related to our third party leave and accommodation management services but may also be called upon to address employment issues for Sun Life’s own employees

• Provide compliance support on a variety of federal and state leave and accommodation laws, including but not limited to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), state unpaid leave laws, state Paid Family and Medical Leave Acts (PFML), private PFML plans, other leave and accommodation laws, and the interaction of absence claims and issues with disability claims

• Conduct legal research and monitor relevant developments to keep business units informed of same

• Assist with drafting and reviewing operational processes, forms, templates, notices, job aids, claims manuals, and other internal resources

• Support training efforts related to absence and accommodation compliance and associated operational processes

• Draft, review, and/or negotiate service agreements, vendor contracts, NDAs, consulting agreements, reinsurance agreements, administrative services and other contracts

• Partner with internal and external clients on product and marketing documents

• Advise the claims team regarding claim escalations, client concerns, offsets, and best practices

• Support the absence implementation team, including review of company leave policies, customization requests, and account set-up

• Engage in thought leadership by writing and participating in industry conferences, webinars, white papers, etc

• Other duties as assigned

What you will bring with you:  

• Self-motivation with the ability to handle multiple priorities with minimal supervision

• Ability to analyze and provide practical legal guidance on issues that carry potential risk to the Company

• A high degree of proficiency in problem solving, fact finding and legal research

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to lead through influence

• Ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise

• Demonstrated experience with coordinating and managing cross-functional projects and initiatives

• Ability to think creatively to resolve complex and/or non-routine issues

• Be able to work with a diverse group of people

• Requires a law degree from an accredited law school with a license to practice in at least one U.S. state

• Minimum of 3+ years as practicing attorney in a law firm or in-house focused on employment law

• Experience with state and federal leave and accommodation administration, including FMLA, ADA, PWFA, and state PFML laws, and other related programs

• Knowledge of group disability products, third-party administration and reinsurance, preferred

• Computer literacy in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Westlaw, and other online resources

Do you see yourself in this role even if you haven’t checked all the boxes above? We welcome all talented candidates and are committed to a culture that represents diversity in all forms. If you think you might thrive in this setting, we would love to hear from you. 

Not ready to apply yet but want to stay in touch?Join our talent communityto stay connected until the time is right for you! 

Life is brighter when you work at Sun Life 

• Excellent benefits and wellness programs to support the three pillars of your well-being – mental, physical and financial – including generous vacation and sick time, market-leading paid family, parental and adoption leave, a partially-paid sabbatical program, medical plans, company paid life and AD&D insurance as well as disability programs and more 

• Retirement and Stock Purchase programs to help build and enhance your future financial security including a 401(k) plan with an employer-paid match as well as an employer-funded retirement account  

• A flexible work environment with a friendly, caring, collaborative and inclusive culture  

• Great Place to Work® Certified in Canada and the U.S.  

• Named as a “Top 10” employer by the Boston Globe's “Top Places to Work” two years running 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. 

We consider various factors in determining actual pay including your skills, qualifications, and experience.  In addition to salary, this position is eligible for incentive awards based on individual and business performance as well as a broad range of competitive benefits. 

Sun Life Financial is a leading provider of group insurance benefits in the U.S., helping people protect what they love about their lives. More than just a name, Sun Life symbolizes our brand promise of making life brighter -for our customers, partners, and communities. Join our talented, diverse workforce and launch a rewarding career. Visit us at www.sunlife.com/us to learn more. 

At Sun Life we strive to create a flexible work environment where our employees are empowered to do their best work. Several flexible work options are available and can be discussed throughout the selection process depending on the role requirements and individual needs.  

Our Affirmative Action Program affirms our commitment to make reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitation of otherwise-qualified individuals with disabilities or special disabled veterans, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. Please email recruitingUS@sunlife.com to request an accommodation.

At Sun Life we strive to create a flexible work environment where our employees are empowered to do their best work. Several flexible work options are available and can be discussed throughout the selection process depending on the role requirements and individual needs.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.