Retirement Programs Representative I - HR Executive Compensation & Retirement Programs - Akron FirstEnergy Headquarters

About the position

This position is within Human Resources in the Retirement Programs group and reports to the Manager, Executive Compensation & Retirement Programs. It may be located at the Corporate Headquarters in Akron, Ohio, Greensburg, Pennsylvania or Reading, Pennsylvania. The position is responsible for performing various business-related activities to support the Retirement Programs department. The Retirement Programs team is responsible for administering the defined benefit pension (qualified and non-qualified) and our 401(k) program. This position partners with the business units to ensure that programs support their objectives by helping to attract and retain key and critical talent.

Responsibilities

  • Supports the administration of our defined benefit pension programs, both qualified and non-qualified plan formulas
  • Supports the administration of our 401(k) program
  • Assists with monthly pension payroll processing and validations; knowledge of Oracle is a plus
  • Performs various reconciliations and research discrepancies
  • Processes active and retiree deaths which involve confirmation, updating pension option elections and identifying the beneficiary, as applicable, and notifying vendors
  • Assist with all special pension-related projects such as early retirement options and pension lift-outs
  • Compiles data in preparation for retirements (projections and actual retirements), including data requests from external financial providers
  • Reviews divorce documentation to determine if a Qualified Domestic Relations Order or Domestic Relations Order are necessary
  • Perform SOX controls designed to ensure data accuracy for pension calculations and valuations
  • Work with internal and external auditors on the annual pension audit
  • Reviews and supports calls from current and former employees with questions on retirement programs, beneficiary changes and/or account distributions
  • Consulting with business unit leaders on retirement program practices and processes
  • Preparing and delivering pension-related presentations to employees
  • Preparing various ad-hoc reports and statistics for the company's retirement programs and initiatives, which may include performing complex reporting and analysis functions
  • Recommending process improvements as well as recommending and implementing solutions to drive change across the organization
  • Working knowledge of the administration of 401(k) under Fidelity is a plus
  • Working knowledge or familiarity of Code Section 409A is a plus

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in related discipline with a minimum of 4 to 7 years relevant work experience, or in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree, a minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in job skills required to perform in defined business role.
  • Applies understanding by generalizing conceptual knowledge to determine ways to solve routine challenges.
  • Effectively influences and exercises independent judgment on basic projects and assignments and starts to recognize greater implication to unrelated business operations and/or processes.
  • Requires a lesser degree of management oversight.
  • Proficient written and oral communication skills with the ability to tailor messaging and effectively and concisely communicate concepts.
  • Proficient knowledge/use of Microsoft Office tools including Excel (high degree desired), PowerPoint, and Word.
  • Proficient analytical and quantitative skills with demonstrated ability to proactively identify challenges or roadblocks, gather and analyze relevant information while furthering understanding of the topic/issue, develop solutions, and present recommendations.
  • Proficient knowledge of section operations and fundamental knowledge of department operations.
  • Proficient work management skills; ability to independently organize, manage and prioritize multiple work assignments.
  • Demonstrates proficiency in working with management and peers internal and external of the department. Ability to support established relationships and interface with external parties while maintaining core business objectives.
  • Understand the connections between the various areas in HR
  • Bachelor’s degree in related discipline with a minimum of 7 to 10 years relevant work experience, or in lieu of Bachelor’s degree, a minimum of 10 years relevant work experience required.
  • Career level individual exhibiting full level competency.
  • Recommends and implements solutions to complex issues and assignments and develops process improvements and efficiencies aligned with the big picture.
  • Effectively manages projects with a sense of ownership and thoroughness.
  • Possesses strong skills and knowledge, provides leadership on initiatives and projects, and is viewed as an informal leader to peers.
  • Ability to perform in an independent manner with minimal oversight of supervision.
  • Advanced written and oral communication skills with the ability to effectively tailor messaging and communicate complex concepts.
  • Advanced knowledge/use of Microsoft Office tools including Excel (high degree desired), PowerPoint, and Word.
  • Advanced analytical and quantitative skills with demonstrated ability to proactively identify complex challenges or roadblocks, gather and analyze relevant information while furthering understanding of the topic/issue, develop solutions, make results-driven recommendations, interpret results, and improve solutions.
  • Advanced knowledge of section operations and proficient knowledge of department operations.
  • Advanced work management skills; expert organizational skills and the ability to manage and prioritize multiple work assignments. Ability to assume additional responsibilities and stretch workload capacity without affecting quality of work or customer service.
  • Demonstrates advanced ability to work with management and peers internal and external of the business unit; provides mentoring and onboarding. Ability to develop mutually beneficial relationships and interface with external parties. Communicates with and effectively supports Company leadership, at all levels of the organization.
  • Understand the connections between the various areas in HR

Nice-to-haves

  • Knowledge of Oracle is a plus
  • Working knowledge of the administration of 401(k) under Fidelity is a plus
  • Working knowledge or familiarity of Code Section 409A is a plus
  • CEBS or SHRM certification is a plus

Benefits

  • company-sponsored pension plan
  • 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution
  • a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs
  • skills development training with tuition reimbursement
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