Retirement Strategy Director - US

At National Grid, we keep people connected and society moving. But it's so much more than that. National Grid supplies us with the environment to make it happen. As we generate momentum in the energy transition for all, we don't plan on leaving any of our customers in the dark. So, join us as the Director of US Retirement Strategy and find your superpower.

National Grid is hiring a Director, Retirement Strategy, in our Group Rewards organization to be located in our Brooklyn, NY, Waltham, MA or Syracuse NY office.

As the Director of Retirement Strategy you will lead, inspire and motivate a small team of professionals and oversee all aspects of the US Retirement Plans. Primarily responsible for the development and implementation of the US retirement strategy that includes design, implementation, compliance, communication, education and execution for all US retirement plans and policies for all management and represented employees and retirees. US retirement plans include defined benefit pension plans (traditional and cash balance), defined contribution plans (401K Plan), non-qualified supplemental executive retirement plans and retiree healthcare and life insurance benefit plans. This role reports to the Vice President of Global Benefits.

*Provide leadership, guidance and direction; lead, inspire and motivate a small team of professionals in the US with a keen focus on retirement plans.
*Be a highly motivated, self-starter who is passionate about retirement plans, rewards and other benefits, likes to challenge the norm, reduce complexity and continually ensure alignment with the overall Total Reward Strategy.
*Continue to develop a longer-term retirement benefit strategy for all employees to ensure the retirement plans (including pension, 401(k) and retiree benefit plans) are market competitive and meet the needs of a cross generational and diverse workforce.
*Further develop and execute a comprehensive communication strategy for retirement benefits, to drive participant education, identify opportunities to improve employee engagement and facilitate proactive and effective messaging.
*Evaluate and enhance the effectiveness of retirement programs to ensure they are competitive, cost effective, aligned with corporate goals and comply with company policies, federal legislation and other government and regulatory requirements.
*Design and develop retirement benefit programs and modifications including early retirement offerings; pension de-risking as it relates to plan design; develop business case, where appropriate and present and gain approval for changes.
*Monitor legislative and market developments relative to retirement plans working closely with ERISA counsel to determine impact on National Grid retirement plans. Identify needed amendments and relevant cost impacts working with the actuaries, if needed.
*Lead the HR working group for all rate cases as they relate to benefits provided to management and union employees in support of the successful recovery of benefit cost elements in rates. This includes preparing testimony, overseeing the preparation of exhibits, managing interrogatories during discovery and ensuring all rate case and regulatory requirement deliverables are met on time.
*Ensure retirement plans are compliant by overseeing the accuracy and completion of compliance requirements (amendments, annual funding notices, summary plan descriptions, summary of material modifications and participant communications).
*Play a critical role in the due diligence process during mergers/acquisitions/divestitures as it relates to retirement plans, support integration efforts through a comprehensive review of legacy retirement plans, an assessment of market trends and best practices and recommendations for possible harmonization and alignment.
*Key member of union negotiations team as it relates to pension, 401(k) and retirement healthcare and life insurance plans in support of the overall corporate and labor strategy.
*Partner with actuaries, accountants and Employee Services on financial aspects of post- employment benefits including annual valuation assumptions and retiree VEBA trusts.
*Collaborate and develop strong working relationships with Employee Services, Talent Acquisition, People Partners, Labor Partners, Legal, Actuaries, Finance, US Pension Delivery and Investment Management.
*Provide oversight, expertise and guidance to DB/DC group in employee services who are responsible for all defined benefit, defined contribution and retiree healthcare and life insurance plan administration.

* Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Human Resource Management or related field required; Master's degree is preferred; and professional certifications a plus
* Demonstrated knowledge and experience (10+ years) with defined contribution plans, defined benefit plans, non-qualified retirement plans and active and retiree health and welfare plans including design, compliance and communication for a large, unionized corporation
* Demonstrated strong leadership skills with the ability to influence others
* Proven track record of development and execution of retirement and health and welfare strategy
* Sound knowledge of trends in the retirement and health and welfare industry
* Extensive knowledge of all legislation and statutory regulations governing US pension, 401(k) and health and welfare plans including ERISA, IRS, DOL, Pension Protection Act of 2006, Secure Act 2.0, COBRA, HIPAA, PPACA and other regulatory agencies rules and regulations and their impacts on benefit plans
* Experience with union negotiations and the collective bargaining process
* Comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of health and welfare benefits
* Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks at any given time, while maintaining strong attention to detail with a high degree of accuracy, and meeting strict deadlines
* Strong financial acumen and advanced analytical skills; must have the ability to understand complex financial analyses and apply functional knowledge to solve problems and identify opportunities for improvement
* Strong interpersonal and communication skills; demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; present information in a clear and concise manner, maintain effective working relationships with demonstrated maturity with various levels within the organization
* Must be self-directed with a strong customer focus, motivated and have high personal standards of excellence, commitment, integrity and confidentiality
* Knowledge of National Grid's business operations, company policies and practices and some familiarity with the regulatory process and the recovery of cost elements in rates is a plus

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