Pension Plan Manager

Company: New England Health Care Employees Welfare and Pens
Location: Hartford
Posted on: January 20, 2023

Job Description:

The 1199 New England Health Care Employees Welfare and Pension Funds ("Funds"), located in Hartford, CT, are currently seeking a Pension Plan Manager capable of directing all aspects of a multiemployer, defined benefit pension plan, including timely and accurate administration of pension benefits in accordance with the Pension Fund Plan Document, federal regulations and Fund Office policies and procedures. The ideal candidate will be highly motivated and independent with strong organizational and analytical skills, knowledge of defined benefit pension plans or similar retirement benefits and a strong leader that can manage the department and staff. This position rep01ts directly to the Executive Director. - The 1199 New England Health Care Employee Welfare and Pension Funds consist of two Taft-Hartley benefit plans. The New England Health Care Employees Welfare Fund provides health, prescription, vision, dental, short-term disability, scholarship and life insurance benefits to eligible participants and dependents and the New England Health Care Employees Pension Fund provides retirement benefits to participants. The Funds provide benefits to approximately 18,725 participants and their eligible dependents as well as 5,100 retirees and beneficiaries. The Pension Fund has assets in excess of $900 million and covers health care workers in Connecticut and Rhode Island. - The Pension Plan Manager will assume overall responsibility for managing the Pension department and staff (currently 4) and overseeing the day-to-day administrative operations of the Pension Fund to ensure timely and accurate delivery of pension benefits. This responsibility includes developing, implementing, and monitoring policies, standards and procedures to ensure compliance with all relevant local, state and federal regulations and requirements, including ERISA, DOL and IRS. The Pension Plan Manager must effectively set goals for, direct and motivate pension staff, and interact collaboratively with the Executive Director, Trustees, participants, employers, unions, professional advisors and colleagues at all levels both inside and outside the organization. -RESPONSIBILITIES -Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: - - - - - - - -Oversee day-to-day Pension operations: Manage day-to-day operations and administration of the Pension Fund; prioritize department/staff workloads; responsible for appropriate audit and control procedures for benefit payments to members, including verification of final benefit calculations and adjustments; establish and monitor operational policies, procedures and standards to ensure efficiency, accuracy and prompt, accurate service to participants; review and recommend appropriate department structure, work processes, procedures, policies, and audit functions for the department; develop workflows and documentation of administrative procedures; prepare and review reports and documents for Pension Fund Trustee meetings, present pension reports to Trustees and handle any tasks assigned by Trustees.
- - - - - - - -Manage Pension department/staff: Provide vision, leadership, guidance, motivation and day-to-day management to approximately four (4) Pension staff members; oversee development and training of Pension staff to maintain current knowledge/skills and ensure professional growth; ensure appropriate staffing levels are maintained. - - - - - - - - Ensure compliance: Consult with outside professionals on compliance matters as needed; assist in submission of government mandated forms; remain informed of all plan provisions for the Pension Fund; network with professional organizations and colleagues in the industry to stay informed of new regulations, recent events and/or other situations that could affect the Fund; evaluate retirement benefit trends and applicable pension legislation to ensure that the Fund is compliant with such legislation, and if needed, develop specific recommendations for Executive Director. - - - - - - - -Communication of plan changes: Ensure all Pension plan and policy changes are communicated to staff, participants, employers, unions, as well as other plan professionals and colleagues as needed; ensure that all participant communications and required notices for the Pension Fund are completed and distributed in a timely manner; communicate with participants, professional advisors, governmental agencies, employers, unions and Trustees. - - - - - - - -Ensure adequate systems and technology: Ensure systems are maintained, updated and tested in a timely and accurate manner to support the Pension Fund's recordkeeping, benefit processing and participant service needs; assist with the development of system requirements and implementation and testing of new benefits administration systems, programs and changes. -REQUIREMENTS -The ideal candidate will meet the following requirements: - - - - - - - - -Work Experience: Minimum of seven (7) years of related defined benefit or other related retirement benefit experience. -Including a minimum of (3) years of management level experience. Prior experience with self-funded plans and/or in Taft-Hartley or collective bargaining environment preferred. - - - - - - - - -Educational Background: Bachelor's degree required. Advanced degree or certifications (e.g., MBA, CEBS, etc.) a plus. - - - - - - - - -Special Skills or Credentials: The selected candidate will have strong knowledge of pension benefits and governmental/legislative regulations (ERISA, DOL, PPA) governing pension plans. The ideal candidate must have demonstrated management skills, excellent verbal and written communication, presentation and interpersonal skills, high ethical standards, provide the highest-quality customer service and work well with all levels of the organization. The ideal candidate will also be detail oriented and highly organized, have strong analytical skills, excellent project management skills, be able to multi-task and prioritize effectively to meet deadlines and be flexible and able to adapt to ongoing changes. Advanced proficiency with current MS Office suite and experience with benefits administration systems required. Some travel required. -TO APPLY - The Funds offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package. The Funds are an affirmative action employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, or disability. - -

Keywords: New England Health Care Employees Welfare and Pens, Hartford , Pension Plan Manager, Executive , Hartford, Connecticut