Executive Compensation Associate

Executive Compensation Associate

Company: HireNow Staffing (Direct Placement Partner)

HireNow Snapshot

HireNow Staffing is actively recruiting a seasoned Executive Compensation Associate to join one of our valued client partners. This full-time opportunity is ideal for an attorney with 4–6 years of executive compensation experience who thrives at the intersection of corporate transactions, securities law, tax law, and executive incentive planning.

The successful candidate will advise sophisticated corporate clients on executive compensation strategies supporting mergers and acquisitions, equity compensation programs, public company transactions, executive employment arrangements, securities reporting obligations, and corporate governance initiatives. This position requires a legal professional capable of delivering practical business solutions while navigating highly technical regulatory and tax matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise corporate clients on executive compensation matters throughout the business lifecycle.
• Support mergers, acquisitions, restructurings, financings, and other strategic transactions involving executive compensation and employee incentive programs.
• Draft, review, and negotiate executive employment agreements, retention arrangements, change-in-control agreements, equity award documents, and incentive compensation plans.
• Counsel clients regarding executive compensation compliance under applicable tax and securities regulations.
• Provide legal guidance involving equity incentive plans, stock options, restricted stock, RSU, and other long-term incentive programs.
• Assist clients with executive compensation disclosure requirements for public company reporting.
• Collaborate with attorneys across corporate, tax, securities, benefits, and mergers & acquisitions practice groups.
• Analyze evolving legal and regulatory developments impacting executive compensation programs.
• Deliver responsive legal counsel while managing multiple high-value client matters with exceptional attention to detail.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active admission to the bar in the jurisdiction where applying.
• 4–6 years of experience practicing executive compensation law.
• Strong working knowledge of Sections 409A, 280G, 83, and 421–424 of the Internal Revenue Code.
• Experience advising on executive compensation matters involving mergers and acquisitions.
• Experience supporting public company reporting and securities law compliance.
• Strong understanding of equity compensation programs and executive incentive arrangements.
• Exceptional legal research, drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Superior academic credentials.
• Must currently reside in one of the approved hiring markets within the United States.

Preferred Qualifications

• Significant experience representing technology, life sciences, or publicly traded companies.
• Experience advising boards of directors and executive leadership teams.
• Extensive work involving equity compensation, IPO readiness, and corporate governance.
• Strong background supporting complex domestic and cross-border corporate transactions.
• Ability to manage sophisticated client matters with minimal supervision.
• Excellent project management and client relationship skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary legal teams.
• Stable career progression reflecting increasing responsibility and technical expertise.

HireNow Package

• Compensation: $310,000–$390,000 annually
• Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; Health Savings Account (HSA); Flexible Spending Account (FSA); wellness and wellbeing support; 401(k) with employer match; relocation assistance; up to 100 hours of PTO during the first year ; seven paid holidays; Employee Assistance Program (EAP); wellness coaching program; discretionary performance bonus eligibility.
• Employment Type: Full-Time
• Work Location: Onsite — Silicon Valley, Seattle, New York, Boston, San Francisco, or Santa Monica
• Applicant Requirements: U.S.-based applicants only. Candidates must currently reside within one of the listed hiring markets.
• Headcount: 1

HireNow Checklist

HireNow Staffing is recruiting an Executive Compensation Associate who demonstrates the following:

• Possesses 4–6 years of focused executive compensation legal experience .
• Has substantial experience supporting executive compensation matters related to mergers and acquisitions, securities compliance, and corporate transactions.
• Demonstrates advanced knowledge of Sections 409A, 280G, 83, and 421–424 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
• Has strong experience with equity compensation plans, executive employment agreements, and incentive compensation structures.
• Exhibits exceptional legal drafting, analytical reasoning, communication, and client counseling skills.
• Holds an active bar admission for the jurisdiction in which they are applying.
• Resides within one of the approved U.S. hiring markets.
• Meets all required qualifications while demonstrating several preferred qualifications.

HireNow Standout Candidates

Candidates will receive the strongest consideration if they demonstrate:

• Extensive executive compensation experience within a nationally recognized law firm.
• Significant representation of technology, life sciences, or Fortune 500 organizations.
• Deep experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, IPOs, executive incentive plans, and complex corporate transactions.
• Advanced understanding of tax law and securities regulations affecting executive compensation.
• Superior academic achievement combined with a stable and progressive legal career.
• Exceptional client relationship management skills with the ability to advise executive leadership and corporate boards.
• Proven ability to independently manage sophisticated matters while collaborating across multiple legal disciplines.

HireNow Disqualifiers

The following will prevent candidates from moving forward in the hiring process:

• Jumpy resumes will not be accepted or interviewed.
• Less than four years or more than six years of directly relevant executive compensation legal experience.
• No meaningful experience advising on executive compensation matters involving corporate transactions.
• Limited or no working knowledge of Sections 409A, 280G, 83, and 421–424 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
• No active bar admission in the jurisdiction of application.
• Applicants who do not currently reside in Silicon Valley, Seattle, New York, Boston, San Francisco, or Santa Monica .
• Applicants requiring employment sponsorship.
• Inability to demonstrate strong legal writing, analytical, communication, or client counseling skills.
• Failure to meet the core qualifications required for this position.

HireNow Staffing Disclaimer

HireNow Staffing is acting as a direct placement partner for this Executive Compensation Associate opportunity. All candidate information is handled confidentially and evaluated against defined requirements. This job description outlines the general scope of responsibilities and qualifications. Duties may evolve based on client needs and business growth. Only candidates meeting the core qualifications will be considered for interview. Client-specific information will be shared only with qualified candidates during the interview process.