Retirement Benefits Program Manager

Role Overview

• Lead the U.S. framework, administration and analysis of retirement plan benefits, including compliance with plan documents and regulations for the 401(k), Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP), and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP).
• Monitor retirement plan vendors to ensure performance aligns with agreed upon scope and service levels.
• Understanding and using best practices and knowledge of industry and business/customer needs, provide analysis, make recommendations, and lead the implementation of changes or enhancements to benefit programs.
• Contribute to the annual budget process by forecasting retirement plan expenses and tracking budget vs. actual costs.
• Oversee and administer a variety of ancillary benefit programs, such as the financial wellbeing programs and other related offerings.
• Collaborate with the Internal Communications team on the creation of communication tools that enhance employee understanding of our retirement benefits. This includes developing presentations, FAQ guides, and other resources.
• Manage the DCP annual enrollment event, as well as annual and ad-hoc Non-Qualified (NQ) distributions.
• Complete benefits compliance activities, such as the 401(k) annual audit, reconciling and filing required forms (e.g. Form 5500/8955-SSA), conducting non-discrimination testing, updating and distributing plan documents and required disclosures.
• Oversee retirement plan Investment Committee meetings by scheduling meetings, establishing agendas, preparing meeting materials, reviewing notes, and ensuring compliance with Committee guidelines.
• Resolve escalated benefits inquiries from employees, retirees, and other HR stakeholders, ensuring timely and satisfactory resolution of each issue.
• Manage actuarial valuation data requests by working with external consultants and PL’s Finance team.
• Collaborate with employees, advisors, auditors, leaders and benefit vendors.
• Partner with International Benefits to support the governance and administration of global pension plans, ensuring alignment on plan design, regulatory requirements, and ongoing operational needs.
• Resolve retirement plan (401(k), DCP, SERP) corrections as necessary.
• Stay current on retirement plan regulations.
• Participate in internal process improvement initiatives and team projects.
• Support additional ad-hoc benefits projects as they emerge.

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience in end-to-end U.S. retirement benefits (401(k) and NQ plans); international retirement or global pension experience is a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field;
• Strong analytical skills that drive data-driven decisions and comprehensive problem-solving;
• Excellent vendor management and communication skills;
• Strong project management skills to effectively plan, prioritize, and deliver initiatives on time and within scope.
• Strong attention to detail and highly organized, with the ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and effectively prioritize work;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, especially Excel, ensuring streamlined data management and analysis;
• Understanding of benefits, general HR processes, regulations, and compliance;
• Hands-on experience with platforms like Workday or similar HRIS systems

Benefits

• Your Benefits Start Day 1
• Your wellbeing is important to Pacific Life, and we’re committed to providing you with flexible benefits that you can tailor to meet your needs.
• Prioritization of your health and well-being including Medical, Dental, Vision, and Wellbeing Reimbursement Account that can be used on yourself or your eligible dependents
• Generous paid time off options including: Paid Time Off, Holiday Schedules, and Financial Planning Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave as well as an Adoption Assistance Program
• Competitive 401k savings plan with company match and an additional contribution regardless of participation