Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
At Brighthouse Financial, we’re fostering a culture where diverse backgrounds and experiences are celebrated, and different ideas are heard and respected. We believe that by creating an inclusive workplace, we’re better able to attract and retain our talent, provide valuable solutions that meet the needs of our advisors and their clients, and deliver on our mission of helping more people achieve financial security.
How This Role Contributes to Brighthouse Financial:
The Assistant Corporate Secretary & Corporate Counsel role is an attorney position within Brighthouse’s Office of the Corporate Secretary, reporting to the Corporate Secretary. As part of a tight-knit, high-performing and energetic team, the successful candidate will provide wide-ranging support to and leadership within the Office of the Corporate Secretary regarding the enterprise’s corporate governance and board-related matters. The successful candidate will have executive presence and outstanding interpersonal skills, with critical responsibilities that include board management, board meeting preparation, legal analysis and research, preparation of minutes and reports, and communications with officers and directors. Additional key duties include thought leadership for corporate governance matters, serving as the lead author of the proxy statement, and overseeing subsidiary governance.
- Provide strategic advice to the Corporate Secretary and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board regarding the Company’s corporate governance profile.
- Act as a thought leader with respect to corporate governance and ESG (environmental, social and governance) matters and disclosures. Responsible for keeping abreast of developments in corporate governance, including legal and regulatory requirements and stakeholder expectations. Serve as the managing author of the proxy statement.
- Act a s secretary and participate in committee and board meetings, as necessary.
- Support all aspects of board and committee meetings, including planning agendas, and preparation, review, and distribution of materials.
- Manage the preparation and periodic review and updating of governance documentation, including charters, bylaws, secretary’s certificates, delegations of authority, etc.
- Oversee governance of enterprise subsidiaries.
- Manage the production of corporate governance records and data for litigation, regulatory examination, audit purposes or other due diligence initiatives and reporting requirements.
- Manage and lead the director and officer questionnaire process, including preparation of the independence matrix.
- Assist with board and committee self-evaluation process, including analyzing results.
- Participate in director orientation and onboarding.
- Manage the logistics aspects of board, committee, and shareholder meetings, including developing time and responsibility schedules for all aspects of the meeting, drafting meeting minutes and participating in board and committee meetings as noted above (requires travel as necessary for in person board meetings and rehearsals).
- Respond to requests from officers, directors, regulators, business clients and internal staff, as required.
Essential Business Experience and Technical Skills:
- J.D. degree required
- 5+ years of relevant experience
- Ability to act as a trusted adviser to the Corporate Secretary, the Board and C-suite executives.
- Corporate governance law subject matter expert, with general understanding of SEC rules and filings, and corporate law.
- Prefer experience with executive compensation matters, including compensation program structures and proxy disclosures.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment.
- Proven research and analytical skills.
- Experience with representation of the insurance industry, financial services industry, or other highly regulated industries desired but not required. Experience with complex corporate structures is preferred but not required.
- Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
- Strong work ethic and habits, with a demonstrated ability to work efficiently, meet deadlines, and produce work of the highest quality.
- Highly polished interpersonal skills and ability to professionally interface with C-Suite executives and directors.
- Highly developed oral and written communication skills, in particular, the ability to draft well-written reports, minutes and general business correspondence and communicate effectively with individuals at all levels across the enterprise.
- Capability to operate with limited oversight and to interact confidently with directors and senior management when required.
- High level of proficiency with Microsoft suite of products, including Word, Share Point, PowerPoint, and Excel.
- Demonstrated commitment to expand knowledge and to adapt to new situations and changing environments.
- Time Off: Minimum of 20 days of paid time off and 13 paid company holidays per full calendar year, plus paid volunteer time
- Financial Benefits: 401(k) savings plan with up to a 6% annual match and 3% annual company nondiscretionary contribution of eligible compensation, annual incentive plan, and employee stock purchase plan
- Family Focus: Up to 16 weeks of paid leave for new parents, back-up care program, dependent care flexible spending account, and adoption and surrogacy assistance
- Health and Welfare: Competitive medical, vision and dental plans, plus tax-free health savings accounts with potential company contributions up to $1,000 per family
- Wellness Programs: Wellness incentive platform, employee assistance program, financial counseling services, fitness center discounts and more
- Life & Disability Benefits: Company-paid basic life insurance and short-term disability
Travel:
Up to 10%
