Senior Pension Manager

Our client, a top insurance company, is seeking an experienced and strategic leader for the role of Director, Canadian Pensions for an 18-month contract role. This position is responsible for the end-to-end management and oversight of Manulife's Canadian Defined Benefit (DB) and Defined Contribution (DC) pension plans. The ideal candidate will bring strong analytical skills, a deep understanding of Canadian pension plan management, and a commitment to excellence in reporting and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Act as Secretary to three Canadian Pension and Investment Committees; set meeting agendas, prepare materials, track action items, and coordinate reviews.
2. Collaborate with third-party actuaries, finance colleagues, and auditors on quarterly and year-end financial reporting for the company's global pension plans under IAS 19.
3. Assist in executing Manulife's global pension governance model, providing strategic support on special projects such as DB asset-liability studies and plan design reviews.
4. Manage relationships with internal and external vendors, ensuring service level agreements and quality standards are met.
5. Support in the preparation of the Canadian pension plans audited financial statements, answering queries from auditors, and aiding in regulatory compliance and issue remediation.

Must have skills:

1. Minimum 5-10 years of experience as a DB/DC pension consultant or in a similar role involving pension management, benefits management, or administration.
2. Strong knowledge and experience in Canadian pension plan governance, financial reporting, communications, design, administration, regulatory compliance, audit, and funding.
3. Possession of an actuarial designation (FCIA, FSA, or equivalent) preferred; a strong understanding of pension principles is essential if not held.
4. Strong numerical and analytical skills with a proven track record in financial acumen.
5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with proven presentation capabilities and interpersonal skills for liaising with peers and senior executives.
6. Proficient in Excel and PowerPoint for developing and utilizing charts, graphs, and spreadsheets.
7. Familiarity with asset/liability studies, investment management, oversight, and risk management is considered an asset.

Nice to Have:

1. Experience with asset/liability studies, along with investment manager oversight and risk management.

If you are interested and qualified, please apply or email your resume to priyanka2@ifgpr.com.