Retirement Plans Director

Overview:     

As a key leader within the total rewards team, this role requires thought leadership in benefit strategy and design, financial acumen, innovative solutions, as well as the streamlined execution that you’d expect for retirement and financial wellness programming at a world class Fortune 500 company like M&T.   In the pursuit of excellence, one will balance the need to be financially prudent for the Bank, while being market competitive and meeting employee needs.  Accountabilities include enrollment requirements and eligibility for programs managed, as well as negotiations, management, and quality of products and services from supporting vendors and consultants.  Through benefit committees of the bank, stewardship of billions of dollars in plan assets and compliance with pertinent regulations affecting these programs will be managed.  Additionally, you’ll serve as a trusted resource to executives and senior leaders planning for retirement on a 1:1 basis.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Manage the design, delivery and operation of a significant portion of the Bank’s retirement and financial wellness programs and inclusive of eligibility and enrollment.

• Manage all related program administration and technology solutions required to coordinate services with supporting vendors.

• Manage external vendors to ensure the delivery of key services for the retirement and financial wellness programs at exceptional performance levels.

• Manage all related financial aspects and reporting requirements associated with the programs managed, ensuring they are fiscally prudent while meeting employee needs and being market competitive.

• Develop the annual budget for the programs inclusive of regular review and reporting of results versus plan, as well as timely and accurate reconciliation of all pertinent general ledger and/or trust accounts and Bank-wide allocation of benefits expense.

• Ensure activities and programs managed are in compliance with all pertinent internal policies and external regulations.

• Identify opportunities to increase efficiencies in processes and activities associated with the programs managed. 

• Serve as point of contact for internal and external audits associated with the programs managed.

• Ensure the clarity and currency of all communications associated with the programs managed.

• Manage the timeliness and accuracy of any required external reporting, including annual form 5500 filings, and oversight of financial statements, including the 11-k form.

• Serve as escalation point for retirement plan-related issues, particularly those involving senior and executive management, where the position serves as primary contact for that population for retirement preparation.

• Ensure communication of relevant benefits-related items within the Human Resources function as appropriate, to support the delivery of benefits to the employee population, including retirees.

• Exercise usual authority of a manager concerning staffing, performance appraisals, promotions, salary recommendations, performance management and terminations.

• Understand and adhere to the Company’s risk and regulatory standards, policies and controls in accordance with the Company’s Risk Appetite.  Design, implement, maintain and enhance internal controls to mitigate risk on an ongoing basis.  Identify risk-related issues needing escalation to management.

• Promote an environment that supports a culture of belonging and reflects the M&T Bank brand.

• Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators as applicable.

• Complete other related duties as assigned.

Scope of Responsibilities:

This position is responsible for the Bank’s legacy pension plan, as well as the 401(k) plan and deferred compensation plans.  In addition, the position is responsible for multiple non-qualified plans from acquired financial institutions, bank owned life insurance (BOLI) and company owned life insurance (COLI), and all related regulatory reporting and financial statements associated with these plans.  Vendor management is a critical component of the job, to ensure the Bank is providing financially prudent yet market competitive benefits to our employees.  Vendor oversight is also an important component of the job, to ensure vendors adhere to the terms of agreement with us and provide quality services and/or products to our employees.  Integral to the job is being able to communicate and counsel employees on specific benefits-related questions they have. 

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:

No. of Staff – 4

Education and Experience Required:

Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, Human Resources or related field and a minimum of 11 years’ financial and/or benefits related experience or equivalent, or in lieu of a degree, a combined minimum of 15 years’ higher education and/or work experience, including a minimum of 11 years’ financial and/or benefits related experience or equivalent

Minimum of 4 years’ managerial, supervisory, and/or work leadership experience

Proven project management skills

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Experience developing documentation on system requirements and related procedures

Strong analytical skills

Detail-oriented

Strong interpersonal skills

Strong organizational skills

Strong proficiency with personal computers as well as pertinent word processing, spreadsheet and database software

Solid understanding of pertinent regulations impacting area of responsibility

Education and Experience Preferred:

MBA (Master’s degree in Business Administration)

Minimum of 12 years’ retirement plan administration experience, including managing complex recordkeeping relationships.

Minimum of 5 years’ managerial experience

Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), Retirement Plans Associate (RPA) or related designation

Proficiency with pertinent human resources software

Prior vendor management experience

Strong negotiation skills

M&T Bank is committed to fair, competitive, and market-informed pay for our employees. The pay range for this position is $154,700.00 - $257,900.00 Annual (USD). The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation.

Location

Buffalo, New York, United States of America