Managing Counsel, Corporate & Licensing

About CoAd

CoAd helps businesses navigate the complexities of workforce management through a combination of technology, expertise, and human support. Serving more than 17,000 clients nationwide, CoAd delivers payroll, HR, benefits administration, compliance support, workforce technology, and PEO services that help organizations simplify operations, support their employees, and drive growth.

Built on the belief that workforce solutions should be integrated, intuitive, and people-centered, CoAd empowers employers to manage their workforce with greater confidence while adapting to the evolving needs of today’s workplace.

Role Description

Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, the Managing Counsel, Corporate supports the Legal Department by advising on corporate governance, licensing, intellectual property, ERISA, transactions, and general business matters. This role provides practical, business-oriented legal guidance while helping maintain strong governance practices, compliance processes, and corporate records.

Core Responsibilities

· Provide proactive legal and risk management advice to executives, managers, and employees on legal issues affecting the business.

· Develop practical, business-oriented solutions that mitigate legal and regulatory risk while supporting business objectives and growth opportunities.

· Support corporate governance matters, including board and committee materials, corporate books and records, legal entity compliance, disclosure calendars, and governance policies.

· Manage regulatory licensing, registrations, renewals, annual filings, registered agent relationships, business licenses, permits, and related records across applicable jurisdictions.

· Manage, coach, and develop licensing specialists, including overseeing workload, priorities, performance, process improvement, and timely completion of licensing and registration obligations.

· Monitor regulatory and legislative developments that may affect the company and advise on appropriate compliance actions.

· Support ERISA and employee benefits matters, including plan governance, compliance, reporting, disclosure, fiduciary, and related regulatory requirements.

· Respond to information and document requests from shareholders, auditors, finance, regulators, and other internal or external stakeholders.

· Advise on intellectual property matters, including trademark, trade secret, patent protection, enforcement, prosecution, maintenance, licensing, and coordination with outside IP counsel.

· Assist with mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, equity investments, reorganizations, due diligence, transaction integration, and other strategic corporate transactions.

· Prepare reports, recommendations, policies, guidance documents, and training materials on substantive legal and compliance topics.

· Partner with company leadership and cross-functional teams to support commercial strategy, manage risk, and drive business success.

· Collaborate with and manage outside counsel as needed.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills & Experience

· Juris Doctor (JD) degree and active bar admission in good standing.

· 8+ years of legal experience, including at least 5 years of in-house experience.

· Experience advising on ERISA and employee benefits matters, including related compliance and regulatory requirements.

· At least 2 years of experience managing others, including direct oversight of work priorities, performance, coaching, and development.

· Practical, business-oriented approach to problem solving, with the ability to provide clear, concise, and creative legal advice on timelines that meet business needs.

· Ability to operate autonomously while collaborating effectively with Legal, Compliance, and internal business partners.

· Ability to thrive in a fast-changing environment and work quickly under time-sensitive deadlines.

· High integrity and strong commitment to ethics.

· Strong attention to detail

· Strong cross-functional leadership skills with the ability to influence Sales, Implementation, Operations, Product, Technology, Finance, Legal, and executive stakeholders.

· Familiarity with AI-enabled service, digital self-service, intelligent routing, knowledge tools, and automation.

· Location and Travel: This role is remote but requires residence in either Eastern or Central Time Zones. Occasional travel may be required for meetings or special events.

Preferred Experience

· Experience in a PEO, EOR, ASO, payroll provider, HCM platform, HR outsourcing, or benefits administration organization.

· Experience with insurance brokerage and/or licensing.

· Experience integrating teams, processes, or systems following a merger, acquisition, or major organizational transformation.

· Experience in a growth-stage, PE-backed, or operationally complex organization.

Core Competencies

· Corporate Governance

· Entity Management and Licensing

· ERISA and Employee Benefits Compliance

· Risk Management

· Intellectual Property Management

· Mergers, Acquisitions, and Transaction Support

· Executive Communication

· People Management and Team Development

· Operational Discipline and Process Improvement

What Success Looks Like

· Corporate governance records, calendars, filings, and board support processes are accurate, current, and well organized.

· Licensing and registration obligations are tracked, renewed, and maintained across applicable jurisdictions with clear ownership and escalation paths.

· Licensing specialists are effectively managed, coached, and supported, with clear priorities, accountability, and development plans.

· Business leaders receive timely, practical legal advice that balances risk mitigation with operational needs.

· Regulatory developments, compliance requirements, and legal risks are identified early and translated into actionable guidance.

· ERISA and employee benefits obligations are supported with clear guidance, accurate tracking, and timely compliance follow-through.

· M&A, transaction, and integration workstreams receive effective legal support, including diligence, documentation, and post-closing follow-through.

· Intellectual property matters are monitored, coordinated with outside counsel, and supported by accurate records and calendars.

· Legal policies, guidance documents, training materials, and internal processes are clear, current, and useful to the business.

· Outside counsel is used efficiently and managed appropriately for quality, cost, and responsiveness.

EEO

CoAd is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breast feeding and pregnancy-related medical conditions), gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, uniform service member and veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.