Executive Compensation & Benefits Senior Level Associates/Counsel

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates is seeking a senior-level attorney to lead the executive compensation and benefits workstream in complex corporate transactions. This role sits in the Executive Compensation & Benefits group and plays a key part in advising boards, companies, and executives on high-stakes compensation matters, including public company disclosures and cross-border equity arrangements. You will partner with corporate, tax, and governance teams to shape deal terms and compensation design.

What youll do

• Support M&A, private equity, spin-offs, IPOs, and restructuring matters on all executive compensation and benefits issues.
• Take ownership of diligence reviews, identifying liabilities and deal risks related to benefit plans and executive arrangements.
• Work closely with corporate, tax, and governance teams to draft and negotiate transaction agreement provisions related to employee benefits and executive compensation.
• Advise on equity award treatment in deals, including cash-out, assumption, conversion, acceleration, and retention packages.
• Lead the structuring and documentation of executive employment agreements, severance arrangements, and equity incentive plans.
• Analyze and solve complex tax issues related to Sections 409A (deferred compensation), 280G (golden parachutes), and 162m (deductibility limits).

What Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates is looking for

• 5+ years of experience in Executive Compensation & Benefits positions, independently leading workstreams in complex corporate transactions (primarily transactional focus: M&A, private equity, IPOs).
• Experience drafting core executive compensation documents from scratch (e.g., employment agreements, severance arrangements, equity incentive plans).
• Experience with public company disclosure or compensation committee counseling.
• Currently employed at a major law firm in an Executive Compensation & Benefits group.
• Ability to lead diligence reviews and drive deliverables under tight deal deadlines.
• JD from an accredited law school; admission to New York bar or clear path.
• Experience with cross-border equity arrangements or restructuring-related benefits.
• Experience solving complex Section 409A and 280G issues in live deals.
• Tech stack familiarity with standard corporate deal tools and document drafting platforms used in major law firms.