Company Overview

Wherever you work and whatever role you fill, when you represent the Bridgestone name you know that you are a valued teammate who is part of our larger mission to “Serve Society with Superior Quality.” We start by offering each teammate more than just a salary. We provide formal training, competitive performance incentives, paid vacation and holidays, healthcare packages for full-time and part-time employees, and a 401k plan to help build your future.

We believe people can only provide superior service and quality to others when they are allowed to bring their whole selves to work and know they are supported. We believe in championing all perspectives, individuals and teams because we understand the importance of seeing the world and our business through many different lenses. We are building a team as diverse as the world we serve. So, show us what you’re made of. Show us the smart stuff, the tough stuff, the bold, beautiful and brave stuff. Because who you are is what we need.

Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee and is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation headquartered in Japan. Bridgestone Americas and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand products to address the needs of a broad range of customers and industries.

Job Category

Legal, Compliance & Audit

Position Summary

As the Assistant General Counsel for ERISA/Benefits, you will partner cross-functionally and be primarily responsible for advising on and ensuring the compliance of Bridgestone’s complex defined contribution and defined benefit plans, health and welfare plans, and various incentive plans.

You will succeed in this role if you a collaborative and communicative team player who prioritizes the company's success. You possess strong intellectual curiosity, self-motivation, and unquestionable integrity. You are a poised professional who thrives in a dynamic environment, demonstrating confidence when interacting with all levels of management. You are adaptable and possess the judgment to know when to leverage their skills and when to seek additional support.

Responsibilities

You will report to the General Counsel, Labor and Employment and will add value by:

• Possessing comprehensive knowledge of employee benefits laws including ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, HIPAA, COBRA, and SECURE Act.

• Working with Bridgestone Human Resources on benefits strategy, design, administration and compliance for a broad range of employee benefit plans including medical (active and retiree), pension, 401(k), nonqualified, severance, incentive compensation and various health and welfare plans.

• Monitoring legal developments to ensure compliance in all areas of benefits law.

• Serving as counsel to Bridgestone’s fiduciary and plan governing committees.

• Drafting and reviewing benefit plans and amendments, advising on significant participant communications, updating Summary Plan Descriptions and participant disclosures, monitoring plan filings, and ensuring appropriate government reporting.

• Advising on Plan interpretation to respond to questions and claims.

• Supporting Director of Labor Relations in benefits matters involving manufacturing plants and other facilities, including Union Contract negotiations

• Providing counsel on pension and 401(k) investment matters, including negotiation of investment management agreements.

• Managing ERISA litigation, including making decisions on litigation strategy and supervising outside counsel.

• Engaging outside benefits counsel in an effective and cost-effective manner

• Advising on executive compensation matters.

• Providing legal advice on internal benefits claims/appeals.

• Assessing legal risk and making recommendations to senior management.

• Partnering with Corporate Services group in Law Department to review benefits vendor contracts.

• Advising on third-party benefits matters such as QDROs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Typically requires a minimum of 8 working years of related experience with a bachelor’s degree; or 6 years and a master’s degree; or a PhD with 3 years of experience; or equivalent work experience

• J.D. from an accredited law school.

• License to practice law and in good standing in any U.S. state.

• Demonstrated knowledge of, experience in, and interest in employee benefits.

• A minimum of 7 years of professional law practice experience (law firm and/or in house with a large employer) with primary focus in employee benefits, ERISA, and executive compensation.

• Demonstrated experience, comfort and confidence to interact and relate well within a legal department and build trusting relationships with HR and the senior leadership of Bridgestone’s operating units and subsidiaries.

• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex benefits issues, measure legal risk, and communicate guidance to management.

• The ability to prioritize responsibilities, to work efficiently, to manage and to conclude, in a timely manner, many projects, issues, and cases.

• The ability to supervise and manage outside counsel.

Nice to Have:

• Experience with union facilities

Bridgestone is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. It is our policy to consider for employment all individuals regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Employment Eligibility

If hired, a Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification must be completed at the start of employment. Temporary work authorization or the need for sponsorship may disqualify you from employment.