Senior Counsel, Exec Comp & Emp Benefits
Houston, TX, US, 77042
Phillips 66 & YOU - Together we can fuel the future
As Senior Counsel, Exec Comp & Emp Benefits, you will report to the Deputy General Counsel – Corporate and you will work with colleagues in the Corporate Legal Services of a large corporate law department in a publicly traded, international energy company. This role provides legal advice across three core practice areas: executive compensation, health and welfare benefits, and retirement benefits.
What You’ll Do
Executive compensation
- Providing legal advice and services in connection with the design, implementation, and administration of executive compensation programs, including equity-based compensation plans, annual and long-term incentive plans, deferred compensation arrangements, employment agreements, severance arrangements, and change-in-control provisions.
- Advising on compliance with Sections 409A, 280G, and 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and related regulations.
- Supporting the preparation of compensation-related disclosures for the annual proxy statement and other SEC filings, including CD&A, pay-versus-performance, and compensation tables.
- Advising on compensation committee matters and corporate governance best practices related to executive pay.
Health and Welfare Benefits
- Providing legal advice and services in connection with the design and operation of Phillips 66’s welfare benefit plans, including medical, dental, EAP, flexible spending, life insurance, AD&D, long-term disability, short-term disability, severance, and any changes associated therewith.
- Ensuring corporate compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), HIPAA, COBRA, Mental Health Parity, and other applicable federal and state laws.
- Providing legal advice regarding initiatives such as incentives for compliance with wellness programs, dependent audits, and changes to retiree medical benefits.
- Reviewing vendor contracts for benefits-related issues and insurance contracts for insured benefits.
Retirement Benefits
- Providing legal advice and services in connection with the design and operation of Phillips 66’s qualified retirement plans, including pension and 401(k)/savings plans.
- Ensuring compliance with ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, and related regulations governing qualified plans.
- Reviewing ERISA-mandated communications and reports such as summary plan descriptions, annual reports, and participant notices.
- Reviewing responses to benefits claims and appeals.
What You’ll Bring – Required
- Legally authorized to work in the job posting country.
- J.D. Degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association
- 6 or more years of legal experience in executive compensation and employee benefits matters
- A member in good standing of any U.S. Bar
- Travel up to 5% of the time
What Makes You Stand Out – Preferred
- 8 or more years of legal experience in executive compensation and employee benefits matters
- Experience across executive compensation, health and welfare benefits, and retirement/ERISA matters
- Thorough working knowledge and experience providing legal advice and services in connection with corporate compensation and benefits programs, claims, and appropriate statutes
- Experience with SEC disclosure requirements related to executive compensation
- Superior negotiation, presentation, collaboration, and diplomacy skills with mature judgment and discretion
- Ability to manage and prioritize assignments which may be broad in scope and complexity and which involve collaborative work with a team of highly experienced lawyers, as well as employees in different departments and/or with varying degrees of seniority
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate with internal business clients, support staff, and external resources such as outside counsel and other collaborators
- Ability to work well under pressure, meet deadlines, and function independently without extensive supervision
- Ability to learn quickly and apply company policies, procedures, operations, and industry practices
- Strong individual initiative, discipline and commitment to superior performance and continuous improvement
Compensation Range
This position has a base salary range of $238,500 - $291,500.
At Phillips 66, we are committed to pay transparency and competitive, equitable compensation. Each role is assigned a salary grade with a defined pay range, benchmarked against industry peers. Where a candidate offer falls within the posted range depends on the candidate's experience, skills, and alignment with the role’s requirements. Offers are made to ensure internal equity and market competitiveness. Our compensation programs are designed to reward performance and support career growth.
Total Rewards
At Phillips 66, providing access to high quality programs and care for you and your family is important to us. Maintaining a culture of well-being — physical, emotional, social, and financial — is essential for a high-performing organization. When we are at our best, we are poised to deliver exceptional results — personally and professionally. Benefits for certain eligible, full-time employees include:
- Annual Variable Cash Incentive Program (VCIP) bonus
- 8% 401k company match
- Cash Balance Account pension
- Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits with an annual company contribution to a Health Savings Account for employees on HDHP
- Total well-being programs and incentives, including Employee Assistance Plan, well-being reimbursement, and backup family care services
Learn more about Phillips 66 Total Rewards.
Phillips 66 has more than 140 years of experience in providing the energy that enables people to dream bigger and go farther, faster. We are committed to improving lives, and that is our promise to our employees and our communities. We are sustained by the backgrounds and experiences of our diverse teams, which reflect who we are, the environment we create and how we work together. We have been recognized by the Human Rights Campaign, U.S. Department of Labor and the Military Times for our continued commitment to inclusive practices and policies in the hiring and retention of those in the LGBTQ+ community and military veterans. Our company is built on values of safety, honor and commitment. We call our cultural mindset Our Energy in Action, which we define through four simple, intuitive behaviors: We work for the greater good, cultivate an environment of trust, seek different perspectives and pursue excellence.
Learn more about Phillips 66 and how we are working to meet the world's energy needs today and tomorrow, by visiting phillips66.com.
To be considered
In order to be considered for this position you must complete the entire application process, which includes answering all prescreening questions and providing your eSignature on or before the requisition closing date of 05/29/2026.
Candidates for regular U.S. positions must be a U.S. citizen or national, or an alien admitted as permanent resident, refugee, asylee or temporary resident under 8 U.S.C. 1160(a) or 1255(a)(1). Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J, or TN or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.
Nearest Major Market: Houston