North America Retirement & Financial Wellness Manager

Manager North America Retirement and Financial Wellbeing - Chicago or Decatur, IL

Job Summary
The North America Manager of Retirement Plans is responsible for the strategic oversight, governance, compliance, and administration of all U.S. and Canada retirement programs, including defined contribution (DC) and defined benefit (DB) plans, supplemental executive retirement plans (SERP) and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP). This role ensures operational excellence, regulatory compliance, fiduciary integrity, and an exceptional colleague experience while aligning retirement programs to the organization’s total rewards strategy.
The role partners closely with HR, Finance, Payroll, Legal, external vendors, and plan fiduciaries to ensure effective plan management and continuous improvement.

Duties/Responsibilities:
Retirement Plan Strategy & Governance

• Manage day-to-day administration of U.S. and Canada retirement plans (e.g., 401(k), pension, savings plans, SERP and ESPP)
• Support plan design strategy aligned with Total Rewards philosophy and market competitiveness
• Serve as a subject matter expert and advisor to HR leadership and business stakeholders
• Support fiduciary governance processes including committee meetings, materials preparation, and documentation
• Monitor plan performance, participation, and engagement metrics

• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations including:
  • ERISA
  • IRS/DOL regulations
  • PBGC requirements (as applicable)
  • Canadian pension regulations
• Oversee nondiscrimination testing and regulatory filings (e.g., Form 5500)
• Partner with Legal and external advisors on plan amendments and regulatory updates
• Manage plan audits and coordinate required documentation

• Oversee third-party administrators, recordkeepers, actuaries, trustees, and consultants
• Manage service-level agreements and vendor performance metrics
• Lead issue resolution and escalation management
• Drive process improvements to enhance efficiency and participant experience

• Monitor plan funding, employer contributions, and financial reporting requirements
• Partner with Finance on accounting impacts and disclosures
• Review actuarial valuations for defined contribution plans
• Analyze plan trends and provide leadership reporting and insights

• Partner with communications teams to develop clear retirement education materials
• Support annual enrollment and major plan changes
• Enhance participant engagement through education and digital tools
• Ensure alignment with overall well-being and financial wellness strategies

• Lead retirement-related projects including plan changes, vendor transitions, system integrations, and legislative updates
• Evaluate plan competitiveness using market benchmarking
• Identify automation opportunities and operational efficiencies

• Strategic thinker with strong operational execution
• High attention to detail and risk awareness
• Strong stakeholder management and influence skills
• Data-driven decision maker
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business, or related field
• 5-8+ years of progressive experience in retirement plan administration
• Strong knowledge of ERISA, IRS regulations, and retirement plan governance
• Experience managing third-party vendors
• Strong analytical, financial, and project management skills.
• Experience supporting fiduciary committees.

• CEBS, SHRM, or similar certification.
• Experience with both defined contribution and defined benefit plans.
• Experience in a large, multi-state or multinational organization.
• Knowledge of Canadian retirement regulations.