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Categories Executive & Senior Level Management
Req ID JR6014 Sr. Director, Retirement Programs (Open)
First for a reason:
At First Student, we are a family of 60,000+ employees who take pride in safely transporting more than 5 million students and passengers to and from their destinations each day! Our family of brands include Transco, Total Transportation, Maggies Paratransit, and GVC II. Our employees are at the forefront of safety and innovation; they create and implement the most advanced training and technology the transportation industry has to offer.
Responsible for managing the company’s retirement programs, including policies and practices. Also, oversees processes and procedures for Union Multi-Employer Plans. Works closely with external vendors, HR business partners, Finance, Labor, outside Union leadership and Executive leadership to deliver solutions that continue to attract, motivate and retain outstanding employees, control cost, and comply with all federal and state laws. Ensures compliance with ERISA and with all governing bodies such as the DOL, IRS, and others. Chair of the Retirement Benefits Committee.
Major Responsibilities
Providing vision, strategy, and development for retirement solutions, and connect strategy to First Student’s business strategies. Develops and implements strategic and operating plans for retirement benefits. Establishes the goals, action plans and measurements required to ensure effective programs.Directs the planning, design, implementation, and administration of retirement programs including but not limited to 401(k), Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation. Ensures that the Company maintains legal compliance as well as competitive practices and cost containment. This also includes Union Multi-Employer Plans which First Student is not the Plan Sponsor but there are Union Employees participating in MEPs sponsored by the union.Develop strong relationships with Union Representatives, MEPs Third Party Administrators and Recordkeepers allowing for continuous improvements within the MEPs. Develop standardized process and procedures related to MEPs for administration and funding.Providing general 401(k), deferred compensation plan and pension plan support to internal HR Business Partners, Recruiting, Onboarding and Finance teams. Be a trusted and collaborative partner across the organization for all aspects of retirement.Chair of the Retirement Benefits Committee and organize regular Committee meetings and content.Evaluate the effectiveness of programs, policies and guidelines to ensure they are market competitive, cost effective, and aligned with corporate goals. Recommend and lead approval on changes to programs.Foster a culture of continuous improvement by identifying and implementing process enhancements and efficiencies. Leads and mentors the retirement team to develop team to take on new challenges, develop more efficient processes, and address the current and emerging needs. Manage team performance, set clear objectives and encourage knowledge sharing within the team.Project managing retirement plan audits and the preparation and submission of Form 5500s, pension valuations, nondiscrimination testing, annual fee disclosures, annual funding notices, and other compliance related matters. Ensuring timely filing of all required compliance documents such as 5500s.Provides oversight and guidance to the Executive Deferral plan annual enrollment process, working in conjunction with external administrators and internal staff to meet the needs of the business.Evaluation and ongoing support related to the documentation of the plans including summary plan descriptions, plan documents, annual retirement plan financial statements, and participant statements.Provide consultative expertise, advice, and guidance regarding retirement plan matters to the Chief HR Officer and appropriate executive committees.Minimum Experience & Skills Required
Bachelors Degree10+ years in Retirement/Benefit experience, including 5 or more years management experience, in a large company with a unionized workforceStrong leader with demonstrated ability to interact with and influence others effectively – within HR and Labor, at the executive level and cross-functionally.Demonstrated ability to research and identify problems develops proposals, conduct analysis independently and in collaboration with others, and build support for new programs and plans.Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, set priorities and successfully deliver on commitments.Strong knowledge of HR, Benefits, Legal and regulatory environment and HR systems.Strategic thinker who can manage long term and short-term projects.Strong results orientation with a high sense of urgency that can quickly establish priorities and manage expectations.Strong customer service skillsProven ability to drive process efficiency and effectiveness improvementExhibits organizational collaboration, the ability to partner across organizational lines and work cooperatively within and outside one’s own organization. Supports key decisions and promotes a spirit of teamwork to demonstrate a unified commitment to the customer.Experience managing external vendor relationships and SLAs.Handles sensitive information with high degree of integrity and confidentiality.Ability to manage time and priorities and meet project deadlines.In the state of Washington, all technician and driving positions, including but not limited to van drivers and any other position requiring employees to drive a company-owned vehicle, are considered safety-sensitive and are therefore subject to drug and alcohol testing, including cannabis.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. First is also committed to providing a drug-free workplace. First will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, and any other fair chance law. Philadelphia’s Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance Poster is at this link or upon request https://www.phila.gov/media/20210423160847/Fair-Chance-Hiring-law-poster.pdf.