Working Title: Retirement Programs Director
Official Title: HR Manager 3, Benefits
Code: 9363BN
Salary range: $135,000-$160,000 annually.
Work environment: Fully remote (in the office on an as-needed basis).
The Retirement Programs Director leads and manages the implementation of retirement plan changes and amendments as well as maintenance, communication, administration, and evaluation of the University’s retirement benefit programs including the Faculty Retirement Plan, Optional 403(b) and 457 Plans, as well as other plans. This position is the primary contact on behalf of the University with the Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS). In addition, this role represents the Office of Human Resources in relevant internal University meetings and is a key contributor and leader to furthering retirement readiness and financial literacy among university employees.
The Retirement Programs Director partners closely within the Office of Human Resources (OHR), internal and external departments and committees, to develop, recommend, and implement the university retirement plan benefits strategy. The Retirement Programs Director is the University representative to the Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS) Board. This position reports to the Senior Director of Total Compensation.
Major Responsibilities
- Serve as a key member of the University’s Total Rewards department, providing strategic leadership of retirement services, ensuring alignment with the University-wide Total Rewards strategy.
- Build and sustain a high performing retirement services team inclusive of retirement consultant, benefit counselors and retirement plan administrator. Identifies and collaborates on initiatives and activities regarding possible changes, amendments, restatements to plan documentation, and makes recommendations to OHR senior leadership and RPGC as appropriate.
- Maintains detailed knowledge of university retirement programs on plan designs, regulations, statutes, legislation, internal policies and procedures, and external benchmarks.
- Understands HRMS activities which relate to retirement programs, including service provider management, establishing requirements and contracts, and ensuring the right tools and information are available to meet business needs.
- Engages in negotiation efforts with vendors and recordkeepers regarding costs, performance guarantees, and customer service in line with university expectations. Supports process to finalize agreements, contracts and amendments with plan vendors and provides this recommendation to OHR, OIB, and RPGC for review and approval.
- Ensures effective employee-facing programs in the areas of financial wellness and retirement readiness, utilizing new technology and best practices to provide strong knowledge base in these areas to employees.
- Leads change management related to retirement plan changes.
- Provides direction to the creation, development, and implementation of benefits communications and education necessary for internal training, and for employee education, working closely with OHR and OIB leadership on these programs.
- Supports inquiries from university human resource leaders, OHR employee relations, OHR total rewards, OHR senior leadership, and University committees and employees by responding promptly and completely.
- Represents the University at MSRS board meetings, communicates with MSRS staff on administrative and compliance matters, and individual employee situations.
Essential Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree
- Minimum of 10 years of experience working with defined contribution and defined benefit retirement plans, including fiduciary responsibility.
- Experience with third-party contracts and managing service providers.
- Knowledge of benefit designs, trends, applicable regulations, and best practices (IRS, EEO, HIPAA, ERISA).
- Experience managing or supervising staff.
- Strong business and financial acumen to analyze workforce, benefits, and compensation data, identify trends, and make informed recommendations while maintaining confidentiality and effective communication across diverse stakeholders.
- Proven ability to develop fact-based business cases, negotiate skillfully, and foster positive partnerships with internal teams and external partners, including HR, Finance, IT, and vendors.
- Strong attention to detail, problem-solving, and project management skills, with the ability to manage both big-picture strategies and granular information, supporting a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s in Business, Finance, Accounting or Human Resources.
- Professional retirement benefits certification or demonstrated work toward certification from a recognized professional or educational organization such as ASPPA (QKA, QPA), CEBS, CBP.
- Experience with HRMS system and outsourced benefits administrator.
- Public sector experience.
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