Senior Vice President (SVP), Compliance and Audit

Department: Employee Benefits

Position Overview

Conner Strong & Buckelew (CSB) is seeking an experienced Senior Vice President (SVP) of Compliance and Audit to lead and manage the firm’s benefits compliance and audit functions. This role is responsible for delivering high-quality, day-to-day benefits and ERISA compliance guidance to internal benefits consulting teams and to group benefits clients across the private sector, public sector, and Taft-Hartley space. The SVP will also oversee CSB’s self-funded claims audit business, AIM, which delivers traditional claims audits for self-funded employer plans. The position requires a seasoned attorney with deep practical experience advising group health plans, strong leadership skills, and the ability to communicate complex regulatory issues clearly and effectively.

Principal Responsibilities

Compliance Leadership & Consulting

• Lead and manage CSB’s benefits and ERISA compliance team, providing strategic direction, oversight, and mentorship.
• Deliver day-to-day compliance guidance to internal benefits consultants and directly to group benefits clients.
• Advise on all aspects of employee benefits compliance, including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, MHPAEA, Section 125, and related federal and state requirements.
• Serve as a trusted subject-matter expert on emerging and evolving benefits compliance issues.

 Education, Content & Thought Leadership

• Develop and publish client-facing legislative and regulatory updates related to employee benefits compliance.
• Design and host educational webinars, presentations, and training sessions on compliance topics for clients and internal teams.
• Translate complex legal and regulatory concepts into clear, practical guidance for non-legal audiences.

 Sales and Client Engagement Support

• Participate periodically in sales presentations, finalist meetings, and client strategy sessions to showcase CSB’s compliance expertise.
• Support business development efforts by demonstrating the value of CSB’s compliance and audit capabilities.

 Audit Oversight (AIM)

• Oversee CSB’s self-funded claims audit practice (AIM), including service delivery, quality control, and team management.
• Ensure audits are conducted in accordance with contractual requirements, industry best practices, and regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to grow and enhance the AIM audit offering.

 Team & Operational Management

• Manage, develop, and evaluate compliance and audit staff.
• Establish processes, workflows, and standards to ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery.
• Coordinate closely with CSB leadership, benefits consulting teams, and operational partners.

 Qualifications & Experience

• Juris Doctor (JD) required; active bar membership strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience advising on group health and welfare benefit plans.
• Deep expertise in ERISA and employee benefits compliance across private, public, and Taft-Hartley plans.
• Prior experience leading and managing professional teams.
• Strong familiarity with self-funded health plans, claims administration, and claims audit processes.
• Fluency in emerging and evolving benefits compliance issues impacting employer-sponsored health plans.

Skills & Attributes

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to present confidently to clients, executives, and large audiences.
• Practical, solutions-oriented mindset with strong judgment.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities.
• Collaborative leadership style with a commitment to mentoring and team development.

Salary for this position ranges from $185,000.00 - $250,000.00. The base pay offered will be determined on factors such as experience, skills, training, location, certifications, and education. Decisions will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Qualifying positions will also be eligible for comprehensive benefits, such as participation in family medical and dental insurance programs, 401K plan, and PTO.

Conner Strong & Buckelew is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, nationality, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or domestic partnership or Civil Union status, pregnancy, family medical history or genetic information, atypical cellular or blood trait, military service or any other status protected by law.