Company Description:
Pioneered in 1939, the Co-operative Superannuation Society (CSS), located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, provides pension and retirement services to its membership. The CSS is the Administrator of the CSS Pension Plan, one of the oldest and largest defined contribution pension plans in Canada. With approx. $5 billion in assets, CSS Pension Plan has grown to serve over 300 employers and 55,000 current and past co-operative and credit union employees across Canada, including more than 8,200 retirees (receiving variable benefit payments and/or a monthly pension).
Summary:
We have had an internal promotion and are now seeking to fill the position of Retirement and Pension Associate! Join the CSS Pension Plan and its Member Experience Department as a Retirement and Pension Associate. You will care for our employer and employee members’ journeys by:
- Providing senior administrative leadership and support for our pension and retirement planning professionals,
- Taking responsibility for a wide range of pension and retirement activities (e.g., from pension and retirement administration to meeting with members to assisting with virtual and in-person educational and engagement events),
- Analyzing detailed financial and membership information to identify opportunities for improvements in the overall member experience and journey with the CSS Pension Plan and
- Assisting the Director, Member Experience with regular budget and operational planning needs.
The successful candidate will be a technically inclined high performer who thrives in a busy environment, strives to think outside of the box, and can pivot between competing priorities and complex matters. A strong sense of quality member service, belief in empowering others, and understanding of the value of the co-operative system will be positive attributes that you bring to the team. The Retirement and Pension Associate is required to develop an expert understanding of our pension benefit provisions, policies, and procedures.
The successful candidate will have obtained a Pension Plan Administration Certificate, or is able to complete it within their first year.
You will work effectively in a team environment guided by the team-developed “Pillars of Collaboration” which represents the values of “Respect, Commitment and Communications”.
Key Responsibilities
Provide and Support the Delivery of Pension and Retirement Information
- Answers inquiries and provides information through various communication channels regarding CSS Pension Plan provisions.
- Meets with members on an individual basis to explain the retirement income options they are entitled to; engages the senior pension and retirement planning professionals as appropriate given the member’s needs and objectives.
- Extracts and gathers the pertinent information needed to 1) determine the member’s eligibility for the various retirement income options and other rights and entitlements; and 2) support our pension and retirement planning services.
- Supports the pension and retirement planning professionals by 1) ensuring that all required information is provided to and received by members, 2) assisting members with their pension plan inquiries, 3) forwarding complex inquiries to the appropriate professionals or specialists, and 4) preparing, reviewing and submitting complete retirement income application packages to our member account specialists for processing.
- Establishes a positive mutual relationship between themselves, the pension and retirement planning professionals and the members.
- Assists with the development and continuous improvement efforts of our educational and engagement workshops, seminars, and courses.
Other responsibilities
- Generates and analyzes reports and information from our information systems and identifies opportunities to support and enhance the member experience.
- Performs user testing for technological assets to ensure operational and strategic needs and goals are met.
- Assist with projects (e.g., information technology, member experience, member education and member engagement).
- Develops and maintains knowledge and application of CSS policies and procedures.
- Develops and maintains knowledge and application of the CSS’ vision, mission and values.
- Provides back-up support for the Department and organization as required and carries out other duties as assigned.
Skilks and Abilities
- Passion for providing excellent member service
- Excellent member service and communication skills, including communicating complex information straightforwardly.
- Superior organization, administrative, and problem-solving skills.
- Superior knowledge of pension, retirement, and other relevant products and industries.
- Superior computer skills with proficiency using Microsoft Office (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint), information technology and systems, pension databases and workflow systems, as well as the ability to generate and analyze reports and information.
- Must be flexible and manage high work volumes and conflicting priorities to meet deadlines.
- Self-directed, but recognizes the importance of relationship-building within the team and across the organization.
Qualifications
- Must have five years or more experience with financial transactions or pension or benefit administration, with a focus on customer service and quality data analysis.
- Must have a university degree in human resources, business administration or commerce.
- Must have superior defined contribution and defined benefit pension knowledge, typically obtained through experience and achieving industry designations.
- If not already completed, must complete PPAC within one year of the date of hire.
- Experience with supporting financial advisors an asset.
A combination of equivalent education, training and experience may be considered. On the path to earning the Certified Financial Planner® designation is an asset.
To Apply:
Please forward your resume and cover letter (including your salary expectations) to:
CSS Pension Plan
Attn: Director, Member Experience
Email: hr@csspen.com
Competition closes: July 15, 2023
(The position may be filled sooner)
We offer a fun, challenging and inclusive work environment, a competitive salary, a pension (CSS Pension Plan), and benefits package.
Applicant information is collected and maintained pursuant to CSS’ Privacy Policy (please see website for more information). Background checks will be completed on successful candidates.
We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.