Director, Retirement Benefits
This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Director, Retirement Benefits based in the United States.
This leadership role oversees the strategic direction, governance, and optimization of retirement and financial wellness programs within a large organization.
The position serves as a trusted advisor on retirement strategy, compliance, fiduciary responsibilities, and investment oversight.
You will partner with senior leaders and cross-functional teams to enhance employee retirement outcomes and strengthen benefits programs.
The role combines strategic planning, operational excellence, vendor management, and data-driven decision-making.
You will influence long-term benefits strategy while ensuring regulatory compliance and operational effectiveness.
This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on employee financial wellbeing within a collaborative, people-focused environment.
This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Director, Retirement Benefits based in the United States.
This leadership role oversees the strategic direction, governance, and optimization of retirement and financial wellness programs within a large organization.
The position serves as a trusted advisor on retirement strategy, compliance, fiduciary responsibilities, and investment oversight.
You will partner with senior leaders and cross-functional teams to enhance employee retirement outcomes and strengthen benefits programs.
The role combines strategic planning, operational excellence, vendor management, and data-driven decision-making.
You will influence long-term benefits strategy while ensuring regulatory compliance and operational effectiveness.
This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on employee financial wellbeing within a collaborative, people-focused environment.
Accountabilities:
- Develop and execute long-term strategies for retirement and financial wellness programs, including plan design improvements that support employee attraction, retention, engagement, and retirement readiness.
- Evaluate retirement program performance through benchmarking, participation analysis, savings outcomes, and industry trends to identify optimization opportunities.
- Advise senior leadership and governance committees by preparing recommendations, business cases, financial analyses, and strategic updates.
- Lead fiduciary oversight activities, including investment reviews, retirement plan governance frameworks, investment policy statements, and committee support.
- Oversee 401(k) plan administration, including payroll integration, contribution processing, compliance testing, audits, regulatory filings, and operational improvements.
- Ensure compliance with ERISA, Internal Revenue Code, SECURE Act requirements, Department of Labor regulations, and other applicable retirement legislation.
- Manage relationships with recordkeepers, trustees, consultants, auditors, investment advisors, and other external partners while negotiating contracts and service expectations.
- Lead vendor evaluations, fee benchmarking initiatives, RFP processes, and ongoing performance reviews to ensure cost-effective service delivery.
- Analyze retirement program costs, investment expenses, utilization trends, and employee engagement data to support informed decision-making.
- Develop employee education and financial wellness initiatives in partnership with internal teams and external providers to improve retirement readiness.
- Mentor and develop team members while fostering collaboration across Human Resources, Finance, Legal, Payroll, Communications, and other business functions.
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Accounting, or a related field.
- 10+ years of progressive experience in retirement benefits, including significant responsibility for retirement plan design, administration, and strategy.
- 5+ years of leadership experience managing complex retirement programs within a large organization.
- Deep expertise in 401(k) administration, ERISA compliance, fiduciary governance, investment oversight, and retirement plan operations.
- Experience managing retirement plans with significant assets, including oversight of investment strategy and participant outcomes.
- Proven success managing external vendors, consultants, recordkeepers, trustees, and service providers.
- Strong understanding of retirement investments, capital markets, plan regulations, and industry developments.
- Experience leading RFPs, contract negotiations, fee reviews, and vendor selection processes.
- Advanced analytical, financial, project management, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent presentation, communication, and relationship-building abilities with senior stakeholders.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, drive process improvements, and operate effectively in a complex environment.
- Preferred qualifications include experience in a publicly traded company, retirement-related certifications such as CEBS, QKA, CFA, or CFP, experience with nonqualified deferred compensation programs, and familiarity with employee financial wellness initiatives.
- Competitive annual salary range of approximately $170,900 – $227,900, depending on experience, skills, location, and business considerations.
- Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Retirement savings benefits, including 401(k) programs.
- Paid time off and paid sick leave.
- Employee stock purchase program.
- Opportunities for professional growth, career development, and continuous learning.
- Inclusive workplace culture focused on collaboration, respect, and employee wellbeing.
- Opportunity to influence strategic benefits programs and make a measurable impact on employee financial wellness.
- Flexible remote work environment.
The Director, Retirement Benefits will lead the design, administration, governance, and continuous improvement of retirement programs while acting as the organization’s subject matter expert in retirement strategy and compliance. This role requires strong leadership, analytical thinking, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver competitive and effective benefits solutions.
Requirements:
The ideal candidate brings extensive retirement benefits expertise, strong leadership capabilities, and the ability to operate strategically within a complex organization. They should combine technical knowledge of retirement programs with strong communication, analytical, and stakeholder management skills.