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Senior Counsel, Retirement Plans Legal Support

The Vanguard Group


Job Location:

Charlotte, NC - USA

Monthly Salary: Not provided by the employer
Posted: 29 September 2026 (6 days ago)
Application Deadline: 27 December 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Join Vanguard and play a critical role in helping millions of investors achieve their retirement goals. As Senior Counsel Retirement Plans Legal Support you will serve as a strategic legal advisor on complex retirement plan matters leveraging your ERISA and retirement plan expertise to guide business initiatives support innovative products and services and help navigate an evolving regulatory landscape. This is an opportunity to partner with senior stakeholders solve sophisticated legal challenges and make a meaningful impact on the future of retirement services.

Responsibilities:

  • Serve as a trusted legal advisor to Vanguards Workplace Solutions business providing practical business-focused counsel on retirement plan administration product development client relationships regulatory requirements and strategic initiatives.

  • Draft review and negotiate a broad range of agreements and other legal documents and advise on contractual matters involving recordkeeping trust services data privacy cybersecurity and related matters pertaining to retirement plan services.

  • Analyze and interpret ERISA tax securities and other applicable laws and regulations providing guidance on legal developments and their impact on Vanguards business and clients.

  • Partner with business leaders cross-functional lines of defense and stakeholders to develop solutions that appropriately manage legal and regulatory risk while supporting business objectives.

  • Research and advise on complex retirement plan issues including matters involving qualified plans nonqualified plans 403(b) plans and Puerto Rico retirement plans.

  • Monitor legislative regulatory and industry developments affecting retirement services and help ensure Vanguards products services and practices remain aligned with applicable legal requirements.

  • Manage matters handled by outside counsel including directing work evaluating legal advice and overseeing legal spend.

  • Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders by communicating complex legal concepts in a clear practical and actionable manner.

  • Contribute to special projects and other initiatives that support Vanguards mission and business objectives.

Qualifications:

  • Juris Doctor (JD) and active bar admission in good standing.

  • Minimum of five years of relevant legal experience.

  • Deep expertise in ERISA and retirement plan law.

  • Experience advising financial institutions retirement plan service providers asset managers or recordkeepers preferred.

  • Experience with nonqualified plans 403(b) plans and Puerto Rico retirement plans is highly desirable.

  • Exceptional judgment analytical ability and problem-solving skills.

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills including the ability to influence and advise senior stakeholders.

  • Proven ability to manage multiple priorities independently while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines.

  • Demonstrated ability to build strong client relationships and deliver practical business-oriented legal advice.

Special Factors

Sponsorship

Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.

About Vanguard

At Vanguard we dont just have a missionwere on a mission.

To work for the long-term financial wellbeing of our clients. To lead through product and services that transform our clients lives. To learn and develop our skills as individuals and as a team. From Malvern to Melbourne our mission drives us forward and inspires us to be our best.

How We Work

Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning collaboration and connection. We believe our mission-driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long-term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.


Required Experience:

Senior IC


About Company

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