Defined Benefit Retirement Implementation Specialist (remote)
Chicago, IL

Job Description

The role of the Retirement Implementation Specialist is to own system requirements to ensure that pension administration processes and software for client pension plans (new implementations, upgrades and ongoing maintenance) accurately reflect plan design features and comply with current pension legislation. Specifically, this individual interprets plan design and legislative changes, identifies and documents associated system requirements, works with development staff to ensure that requirements are understood, and defines and manages the testing phase of the implementation project.

Willis Towers Watson is committed to finding opportunities to foster flexibility in the workplace, whenever business and client demands allow. We are delighted that this opportunity meets the criteria for flexible working (i.e. work from home). For specific details, please discuss with your Recruiter.

The Role

The role involves significant interaction and coordination with the client, members of the Retirement team, developers, outsourcing project managers and others. It requires significant knowledge of pension plan design and administration, as well as associated technology solutions. It affords the opportunity to grow one's consultative, problem solving, project management, technology and communication skills.

As a Retirement Implementation Specialist you will:

* Ensure that pension administration implementations, upgrades, ongoing maintenance, etc. accurately reflect plan design
* Work with clients, pension administration team, and actuarial team to create system requirement documents and data mapping specifications for developers
* Create test plans and conduct quality assurance checks, including regression testing
* Contribute to the development of new tools, processes and solutions to create efficiencies and meet clients' needs
* Follow firm and line of business processes, protocols and quality standards in the development and deployment of solutions
* Work with administration and service center teams to ensure a smooth go-live and efficient use of the administration system
* Manage testers throughout implementations and system update testing
* Identify potential conflicts and work to keep open and clear communications between the system team, pension administration team, and actuarial team, if applicable
* Train pension administration team and client on use of pension administration system
* Serve as ongoing system team resource for client and pension administration team
* Contribute to successful project management
* Work with Project Manager to translate business needs into comprehensive project plans/ statements of work including objectives, timeline, deliverables, budget and quality standards
* Work with Project Manager to ensure progress of team against established goals; communicate status to Project Manager
* Manage client expectations and raise appropriate issues to project managers
* Develop a trusted advisor relationship with internal and external clients through effective communication and efficient, quality execution of projects
* Attend client meetings, including leading the specification and user acceptance testing meetings
* Participate in developing cost estimates and project plans for quality assurance testing and updates to system specifications
* Meet revenue and billable hour goals as defined by your manager
* Work within prescribed budget for project plans

The Requirements:

* Bachelor's degree
* Minimum of 3 years of experience in pension administration
* Strong retirement background and functional knowledge of defined benefit plans, pension benefits administration processes and systems, software delivery, and/or process re-engineering
* Experience with pension administration projects and/or systems, including interaction of data, software, administration outputs, and processes.
* Experience writing pension calculation specifications is required
* Strong project management skills
* Demonstrate time management and project organizational skills
* Detail oriented
* Strong communication skills required, both verbal and written, including ability to interpret and document plan provisions
* Effective listening skills
* Demonstrate client service focus and flexibility in supporting client requests
* Actively and effectively lead quality assurance testing
* Demonstrate commitment to quality and continuous improvement
* Experience in Microsoft Office products, including Excel and Word
* Ability to work well under tight project deadlines
* Collaborative style, able to build strong relationships within and across business lines
* Ability to take ownership of significant phases of a client implementation project
* Goal and accomplishment oriented, focused on delivering quality products in a timely fashion.
* Ability to travel and work extended hours as needed

The Company

Willis Towers Watson is a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company that helps clients around the world turn risk into a path for growth. With roots dating to 1828, Willis Towers Watson has 45,000 employees serving more than 140 countries and markets. We design and deliver solutions that manage risk, optimize benefits, cultivate talent, and expand the power of capital to protect and strengthen institutions and individuals. Our unique perspective allows us to see the critical intersections between talent, assets and ideas - the dynamic formula that drives business performance. Together, we unlock potential. Learn more at willistowerswatson.com.

Willis Towers Watson is an equal opportunity employer

Willis Towers Watson is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or disability.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Know your rights.

Unsolicited Contact: Any unsolicited resumes/candidate profiles submitted through our web site or to personal e-mail accounts of employees of Willis Towers Watson are considered property of Willis Towers Watson and are not subject to payment of agency fees. In order to be an authorized Recruitment Agency/Search Firm for Willis Towers Watson, any such agency must have an existing formal written agreement signed by an authorized Willis Towers Watson recruiter and an active working relationship with the organization. Resumes must be submitted according to our candidate submission process, which includes being actively engaged on the particular search. Likewise, for our authorized Recruitment Agencies/Search Firms, if the candidate submission process is not followed, no agency fees will be paid by Willis Towers Watson. Willis Towers Watson is an equal opportunity employer.