Assistant Manager, Retirement Services (7381)

OVERALL DESCRIPTION

Responsible assisting in the designing, developing, implementing and the administration of the Authority's retirement plans, both management, police and union programs. Responsible for compliance with legal requirements and ensures communication and service to employees. Responsible for recommending changes to benefit programs for the most effective utilization of financial resources in relation to the employee and the Authority needs.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assists the manager in designing, developing, and implementing procedural changes to the management, police and union defined benefit life and long-term disability programs.
2. Makes benefit program research surveys, assessments and analyses to determine the most cost-effective beneficial plans for employees.
3. Performs comprehensive analysis for strategic policy decision making by the Authority.
4. Conducts benefit program research comparisons and audits as directed to ascertain the service delivery from carriers and performs cost analysis to assess the most prudent expenditure of Authority funds.
5. Ensures benefit provider's compliance with obligations of coverage, contract and provisions.
6. Determines what changes are necessary to keep pension administrative procedures in compliance with plan document and legal requirements.
7. Develops pension quotes and processes materials to place employees in benefit status. Communicates to employees, their rights under the plan.
8. Assists the manger in recruiting, training, and supervising regarding Retirement Services functions.
9. As directed, develops policies and procedures for pension issues.
10. Works in the communication of employee benefits in all forums, including employee newsletters, statements, orientations, on-site lectures, books, videos and other innovative methods to assure employees' understanding services of Retirement Services and benefits to employees and families.
11. Maintains communication with all employees, including benefit changes, and general benefit information.
12. Performs an advocacy role in resolving employee claims against providers that pay for pension benefit.
13. Assists Manager with researching pension investment and deferred compensation questions as part of maintaining SEPTA’s fiduciary responsibility.
14. Complies with all Authority and departmental safety and security policies and procedures as well as all applicable job safety responsibilities. Reports any safety concerns, compromises or hazards affecting operations, the public, self and/or other employees. Responsible for personal safety and is encouraged to promote the safety of others.
15. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Actuarial Sciences or a related field, and six (6) years retirement benefits work experience working within a large company (i.e., 500+ employees) or for a benefits consulting or benefits actuarial firm performing similar work assignments required.
• Previous defined benefit pension experience beyond participant administration and including experience with plan sponsorship, plan design and plan funding preferred.
• Must have excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Must possess strong interpersonal skills and the ability to deal effectively, with a wide range of professional, management and staff personnel and family members at all levels of the organization.
• Excellent computer skills required. Must have experience using Microsoft software, applications, including Excel, and Word.