What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Counsel - Insurance Product position at Athene Employee Services, LLC?
We are driven to do more. More for our customers and the financial professionals who offer our products. If you are driven to do more and love the challenge of pursuing more, Athene is your kind of company. You will find we offer more than the basics to create an inclusive and dynamic work environment at our various locations. Purpose: Athene is seeking a strategic, business-minded Senior Counsel – Insurance Products to play a key leadership role within our Legal team in West Des Moines, IA. This position is critical to shaping Athene’s individual and group annuity offerings from concept through launch and ongoing administration. The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor across the organization—translating complex regulatory requirements into practical, actionable guidance that supports innovation, manages risk, and accelerates product strategy. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced attorney who thrives in a collaborative environment and enjoys influencing high-visibility product and regulatory initiatives. Accountabilities: Product Development & Regulatory Filings Draft, review, and refine individual and group annuity product contracts, forms, and supporting documentation. Provide legal analysis and risk assessment on product features, contract language, and product design decisions. Lead responses to state insurance department objections, inquiries, and information requests. Support filing strategies to drive timely approvals and competitive speed-to-market. Regulatory & Securities Compliance Advise on compliance with the Securities Act of 1933 and related federal securities laws for registered annuity products. Apply working knowledge of key Internal Revenue Code provisions relevant to annuity and retirement products (e.g., §§ 72(s), 401, 408, 408A). Collaborate with compliance teams and external counsel to ensure all filings are accurate, compliant, and strategically aligned. Contracting & Business Support Draft, negotiate, and provide guidance on product-related agreements, including index license agreements and distribution arrangements. Offer practical, solutions-oriented legal advice to product management, marketing, and operations teams. Balance legal considerations with business objectives to support growth and innovation. Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration Serve as a primary legal advisor to product development, actuarial, and compliance teams. Participate in internal reviews, product risk assessments, and strategic product discussions. Contribute to cross-functional decision-making with a proactive, forward-looking legal perspective. Qualifications and Experience: J.D. from an accredited law school and active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction. Minimum of 5 years practicing law within the insurance or financial services industry. Demonstrated experience drafting and reviewing complex contracts, product forms, and regulatory filings. Strong understanding of state insurance regulations and federal securities laws relating to annuity and registered financial products. Experience with regulatory compliance under the Securities Act of 1933 and related SEC regulations preferred. Exceptional contract drafting, analytical, and legal writing skills. Strong risk assessment capabilities with the ability to frame legal guidance in business-friendly terms. Drive. Discipline. Confidence. Focus. Commitment. Learn more about working at Athene. Athene is a Military Friendly Employer! Learn more about how we support our Veterans. Athene is committed to inclusion and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law. We are driven to do more. More for our customers and the financial professionals who offer our products. If you are driven to do more and love the challenge of pursuing more, Athene is your kind of company. You will find we offer more than the basics to create an inclusive and dynamic work environment at our various locations.