US Retirement Benefits Manager – 401(k) & Non-qualified Plans

US Retirement Benefits Manager – 401(k) & Non-qualified Plans

Gaithersburg, MD

Human Resources

Hybrid Work- on average 3 days a week from office

Are you ready to unleash your entrepreneurial spirit and make a significant impact on the lives of our employees?

AstraZeneca is looking for an experienced retirement benefits professional to own and evolve our US retirement programs with a main focus on our 401(k) and non-qualified deferred compensation plans.

In this role, you’ll be the go-to expert for US retirement benefits, partnering with internal stakeholders and external providers to ensure our plans are competitive, compliant, and easy for employees to understand and use. You’ll also have the opportunity to shape and support broader US health & welfare projects as part of a high-performing Total Rewards team.

What you'll do 

Own US retirement plan design & performance

• Lead the ongoing design and management of our US 401(k) and non-qualified deferred compensation plans.

• Assess plan competitiveness, participation, and outcomes, and recommend design improvements grounded in data and market insights.

• Ensure program practices align with AstraZeneca’s Total Rewards philosophy and business objectives.

Ensure flawless operations, compliance & controls

• Serve as the subject matter expert on retirement plan provisions, administration, and operations.

• Ensure plans are administered in accordance with plan documents and legal/regulatory requirements.

• Lead all aspects of required compliance activities (e.g., reporting, disclosures, testing) in coordination with internal teams and external providers.

Drive HRIS and process excellence

• Partner with HRIS (Workday) and vendors to implement 401(k) design changes and lead related UAT.

• Identify and deliver process improvements and efficiencies, including using automation or AI-enabled tools where appropriate.

• Act as an expert resource on plan functionality within Workday and related systems.

Lead through influence – vendors and stakeholders

• Manage relationships with retirement plan providers and other external partners, ensuring strong service delivery, cost management, and employee experience.

• Advise HR, Finance, Legal, and business stakeholders on retirement plan implications, including M&A diligence and integration.

• Coach teammates on retirement plan administration and help build retirement knowledge across the broader benefits team.

Contribute beyond retirement

• Contribute to or lead benefit projects in the US health & welfare space, collaborating closely with colleagues across Total Rewards and HR.

Essential for the role

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Finance, HR, Business, or a related field

• 4–7+ years of experience in employee benefits, including at least 3–4 years managing or heavily supporting a large 401(k) plan

• Hands-on experience testing and implementing 401(k) changes in an HRIS (Workday or similar)

• In-depth knowledge of 401(k) plan design, administration, and regulatory requirements; exposure to non-qualified deferred compensation plans

• Demonstrated ability to drive process improvements and efficiencies (e.g., through automation, workflow tools, or AI-enabled solutions)

• Strong relationship and influencing skills – able to partner effectively with HR, Finance, Legal, and external providers

• Experience managing cross-functional benefits projects in a fast-paced environment

• High level of proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word

Desirable for the role

• Direct experience designing or administering non-qualified deferred compensation plans

• CEBS or other relevant professional designation

• Experience with US health & welfare benefit plans

• Proficiency with Workday

• Advanced Excel skills (modelling, complex formulas, dashboards)

• Experience in a public U.S. corporation or similarly complex, regulated organization

• Experience supporting benefits aspects of mergers and acquisitions

Office Working Requirements

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to