Manager of Retirement Services

Job Description

This position will spearhead the entirety of Northwest Banks Retirement Plan business with a primary focus on growing sales and client acquisition, AUA and departmental growth objectives. They will build Internal and External strategies to capitalize on the NWB regional structure and work in conjunction with the Trust and Financial Advisor teams to ensure broad participation and cooperation. The Manager of Retirement Services is responsible for direct supervision of the Retirement Plan Consultants and serving as a leader and resource to Retirement Plan Administrators and staff regarding overall retirement plan issues, overseeing plan administration in accordance with plan documents and regulatory standards (i.e. DOL, ERISA, IRS), and performing a variety of technical, compliance and customer service duties relating to Employee Benefit Administration. Ancillary duties including developing, assisting, and implementing retirement and education plans to promote participant employee awareness and cross referrals to other business lines.

Essential Functions
* Monitor vendor and administrator performance to ensure a high level of service
* Direct and provide guidance to staff and plan sponsors
* Oversee retirement plan budgets, forecasts, and development of long term retirement plan strategies
* Contact customers, problems solving, and communicating as required on technical issues
* Work closely with Employee Benefit Compliance Specialist to draft policies and procedures, monitoring departmental compliance efforts and creating a culture of accountability regarding compliance issues
* Maintain extensive knowledge of Plan documents for 401(k), 403(b), 457, and defined benefit plans with special attention to Northwest compliance and ERISA issues
* Develop and monitor compliance activities
* Work with Department Heads, Retirement Plan Consultants, and their staff to implement strategies
* Solve complex problems
* Run Employee Benefit Staff meetings and serve on Trust Administrative Committee Cultivate referrals and potential clients
* Identify and resolve employee and customer questions
* Assist in product development
* Work with Examiners and Auditors
* Work with Retirement Plan Consultants and various Third-Party Administrators & Record-keepers
* Complete/assist with special projects assigned by Senior Trust Officer
* Manage workflow of Administrative team
* Ensure compliance with Internal Revenue Code
* Partner and comply with outside agencies
* Identify and resolve plan related problems
* Conduct research and analysis
* Ensure total document and data integrity
* Draft and implement updates and improvements to procedures
* Monitor outstanding Invoiced fees and ensure timely payment
* Monitor defaulted Loans to ensure compliance with procedures
* Conduct secondary review on EB Administrative Reviews
* Manage work hours and invoice projects as necessary
* Recommend profitability increasing policies
* Recommend improvements to procedures
* Recommend customer service levels
* Minimize departmental non-payroll costs
* Maximize technology tools available
* Develop improvements to procedures
* Develop internal/external customer service levels

Additional Essential Functions
* Ensure compliance with Northwest's policies and procedures, and Federal/State regulations
* Navigate Microsoft Office Software, computer applications, and software specific to the department in order to maximize technology tools and gain efficiency
* Work as part of a team
* Work with on-site equipment

Additional Responsibilities
* Completing / assisting with special projects assigned by Senior Trust Officer
* Remaining current on developing trends, strategies, and compliance / regulatory issues to ensure retirement plans remain competitive and compliant

Safety and Health for Supervisors with Direct Reports
* Provide leadership and positive direction for maintaining the safety and loss prevention program
* Actively participate in and support employee participation in the safety and loss prevention program by ensuring that employees know how to properly report a safety issue, making sure that all accidents are promptly reported to Human Resources and documented, and ensuring that prompt action is taken whenever workplace hazards are identified
* Help implement emergency procedures

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education
Bachelor's Degree in business or related field

Work Experience
8 - 12 years relevant employee benefit and pension plan administration experience
plan document and legislative experience
financial organization or similar compliance experience

General Supervisory/Manager Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
* Ability to identify existing and potential problems, obtain and evaluate relevant information, identify possible causes of the problems, and suggest an alternative course of action including innovative or creative approaches
* Ability to allocate and effectively use information, personnel, time, and other resources necessary for implementation of Northwest's strategic plans
* Ability to make decisions, render judgments, and take action on tasks within the scope of given authority in a timely fashion
* Ability to develop, evaluate, and implement alternative courses of action, based on correct assumptions concerning resources and guidelines, and support decisions or recommendations with data or reasoning
* Ability to present and express ideas and information effectively and concisely in an oral and/or written mode in a manner appropriate for the audience
* Ability to listen and comprehend what others are saying and facilitate the open exchange of ideas and information
* Ability to motivate and provide direction in the activities of others, appropriately assigning work and authority, in the accomplishment of goals; providing advice and assistance as required
* Ability to understand and appropriately apply procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies; maintain credibility with others on specialty matters

Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Ability to analyze financial data

Northwest is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.