Pension Assistant Manager

A well‑established retirement organization is seeking an Assistant Manager, Retirement Services Group to support the administration of a $6.4 billion defined benefit pension plan serving more than 13,000 retirees and beneficiaries. This leadership‑level role combines staff supervision with hands‑on technical oversight of pension benefit calculations, compliance, and operational processes.

The Assistant Manager acts as a key operational leader, supporting the Retirement Services Manager in overseeing the daily administration, financial integrity, and regulatory compliance of the pension plan. This role plays a key part in ensuring compliance with plan provisions, ERISA, and IRS regulations, and partners closely with auditors, actuaries, and internal stakeholders.

• Supervise and train a team of approximately 14 pension representatives, support staff, and interns
• Analyze complex pension benefit calculations, including:
  New retirements and late retirement adjustments; QDRO segregations;
  Required Beginning Dates (RBDs); and Lump sum and interest calculations
• Assist with month and year‑end balancing, reconciliation, and preparation of 1099‑R reporting, ensuring accuracy and IRS compliance
• Support annual audits and compliance reviews by responding to auditor inquiries, providing documentation, and explaining pension processes
• Assist with annual actuarial evaluations by gathering and validating data and supporting updates to actuarial factors used in benefit calculations
• Collaborate with internal departments and external vendors to identify and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency and service quality
• Assist with plan amendments, Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs), and plan language, as needed
• Participate in member education efforts, including Know Your Union meetings, pre‑retirement seminars, and benefit fairs, as required
• Support monthly appeals processes to ensure decisions align with plan provisions and regulatory requirements

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; equivalent professional experience will be considered
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in a Taft‑Hartley or collectively bargained pension environment preferred
• At least two (2) years of experience managing or supporting a qualified pension plan and supervising staff

• Knowledge in pension benefit calculations, QDROs, ERISA, and IRS/DOL regulations
• Strong working knowledge of defined benefit pension plans and benefits administration systems
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and strong overall systems aptitude
• Proven leadership and management skills with the ability to mentor, coach, and motivate staff
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and commitment to compliance

• Strong relationship‑building and collaboration skills
• Clear and effective written and verbal communication
• Accountability, reliability, and strong work ethic
• Adaptability and problem‑solving ability in a regulated environment
• Confidence, professionalism, and the ability to inspire others
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel

This opportunity offers leadership responsibility within a financially strong, mission‑driven pension organization and the chance to make a meaningful impact in retirement services.