Retirement Benefits Program Manager

Job Description:

Providing for loved ones, planning rewarding retirements, saving enough for whatever lies ahead – our policyholders count on us to be there when it matters most. It’s a big ask, but it’s one that we have the power to deliver when we work together. We collaborate and innovate – pushing one another to transform not just Pacific Life, but the entire industry for the better. Why? Because it’s the right thing to do. Pacific Life is more than a job, it’s a career with purpose. It’s a career where you have the support, balance, and resources to make a positive impact on the future – including your own.

We’re actively seeking a talented Retirement Benefits Program Manager to join our Benefits team within Total Rewards, based in Newport Beach, CA, Omaha, NE or Charlotte, NC.

As the Benefits Retirement Program Manager, you will lead the end-to-end framework and administration of Pacific Life’s US-based retirement benefits, deliver deep operational and analytical support, and contribute to the long term strategy that guides our plans. 

The ideal candidate is highly-skilled, self-driven, and capable of leading initiatives independently while contributing to the overall success of the retirement programs. 

How you’ll help move us forward:

• 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.