Vice President, Collectively Bargained Player Benefits and Retired Player Programs

The Vice President of Collectively Bargained Player Benefits and Retired Player Programs is responsible for the oversight and administration of all active and retired player benefits contained in the NFL-NFLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement and the NFL Player Care Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to supporting former NFL players in need.  In this role, this individual will: (1) lead the team responsible for negotiation and administration of player benefits, support and counsel the NFL-appointed trustees to the board governing the NFL-NFLPA Disability and Retirement Plans (which includes oversight of an investment fund totaling several billion dollars); (2) manage the relationship with the NFL Players Association benefits team to jointly supervise the Office administering player benefits; (3) manage litigation filed against the Plan, NFL Trustees and/or league; and (4) supervise several outside consultants, including law firms, investment advisors and benefits consultants.  This position requires demonstrated experience managing teams, ability to engage in strategic thinking and a familiarity with benefits programs and labor-management relationships. 

Responsibilities

The Vice President of Collectively Bargained Player Benefits and Retired Player Programs will lead the team responsible for negotiating and administering all active and retired collectively bargained benefits.  This includes overseeing the appeals process for eligibility claims, supervising litigation brought against the Plan and/or NFL Trustees or staff and developing the league’s communication strategy to ensure players are aware of the many diverse benefits to which they are entitled.  This individual supports the PCF Board and supervises a staff responsible for development and implementation of programming for retired players and administering a claims process by which retired players may submit claims for benefits.  .  

• Acquire and demonstrate substantive mastery of the player benefit plans contained in the NFL-NFLPA CBA  
• Demonstrate thorough understanding of the NFL-NFLPA CBA benefits sections. 
• Develop strong relationships and trust of NFL Trustees to the NFL-NFLPA Disability and Retirement Plans; ensure that all appropriate board practices and risk mitigation is in place. 
• Oversee the administration of all Benefit Plans, including the Player Insurance, Pension and Disability Plan 
• Support trustees appointed by the NFL to NFL-NFLPA Retirement and Disability Board, which is responsible for hearing applicant appeals, developing new programs and supervising third party investment managers charged with overseeing a several billion-dollar benefit investment fund.   
• Manage outside law firms, benefits consultants, actuaries, investment advisors and other third party consultants supporting the administration of NFL player benefit plans and/or litigation.  
• Lead in CBA negotiations for benefit matters with the NFL Players Association  
• Independently develop and maintain working relationships with NFLPA staff and trustees regarding player benefit plans 
• Supervise NFL staff responsible for support and administration of collectively bargained benefits and the PCF.   
• Develop and implement effective strategy to communicate available benefits and means to access to all active and retired players 
• Oversee development of new player programming for PCF  
• Serve as Trustee of the NFL Disability & Survivor Benefit Plan and NFL committee member for the 88 Plan, which includes reviewing applications for benefits  
• Act as lead liaison for Player Benefit matters with internal departments and external partners 
• Strategic planning and development of player benefit initiatives 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university 
• Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university 
• Experience working with a union workforce 
• Collective bargaining experience 
• Strong management and communication skills 
• Commitment to staying current with employer benefit plans in the industry