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:

• Act as Secretary to three Canadian Pension and Investment Committees; set meeting agendas, prepare materials, track action items, and coordinate reviews.
• 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.
• 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.
• Manage relationships with internal and external vendors, ensuring service level agreements and quality standards are met.
• 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:

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

Nice to Have:

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

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