Director, Global Benefits & Retirement

Why join us?

Are you looking to join a dynamic pension plan that embodies the strong values of its 500,000 members and is an industry leading global investor?

If so, we would love to tell you our story.

At OMERS we put our people first and are proud to embrace the diversity of thought and leadership that comes from having locations in Toronto, London, New York, Singapore, Sydney and other major cities across North America and Europe.

Our culture is truly one of a kind. We get stuff done, and have fun doing it! We take great pride in contributing to the communities where we live with an ever-constant eye to the global investment markets.

We are seeking a dynamic leader to lead our Global Benefits & Retirement team! Based out of our Head Office in Toronto, this position will be a key liaison with HR business partners and stakeholders across our global offices.

Reporting to the Vice President, Total Rewards, the Director will lead a team of 6 in driving the strategic execution of global benefits and retirement programs along with benefits administration.

The role will provide oversight and partnership on the design of global benefits and retirement programs with the goal of maintaining competitiveness, ensuring preventative design, including a focus on disability management.

This role is critical to enhancing organizational focus on wellness and improved health outcomes of employees aligned to our enterprise strategy.

As a part of the Director+ community across the HR team, you will be a key leader across the Total Rewards team.

Primary Responsibilities :

Providing vision, strategy, and development of scalable global benefits and retirement solutions, and connect strategy to OMERS HR and business strategies.

Staying on top of the market, workforce, and business environment to adapt benefit programs. Includes monitoring legislative and legal updates globally, identifying impact on OMERS plans, and making necessary adjustments.

Supporting research related to the global design of preventative health programs benefits and retirement programs and ensure that solutions are cost effective, progressive, market competitive and meet the needs of the organization.

Provide subject matter expertise and guidance to senior leadership and HR solicits approvals from HR and business Leads and develop integrated reporting for benefits and retirement to various stakeholders and considers through plan design execution.

Developing and oversees global disability management programs and own relationships with absence and disability management vendors.

Overseeing global benefits renewals as necessary and partner with other departments for execution

Managing and developing various global retirement plan communications and activities associated with pension committee and financial wellness initiatives.

Proactively curating and sharing external knowledge and identify technology needs / trends required to effectively deliver benefits & retirement programs.

Participating in the selection of benefit vendors, contract negotiations, and establish vendor service level agreements and performance scorecards.

Effectively leading and provide coaching, guidance and training to a high performing team to achieve business objectives.

Participating in global annual financials and budget cycles.

Build positive relationships across HR and the business to define strategic priorities and design programs that align to business needs and objectives .

Qualifications and Experience :

10+ years of progressive experience in a Pension and Benefits or related field

Ability to consult and translate business needs into HR plans and programs that support the achievement of business goals and objectives

Proactive focus on continuous improvement

Demonstrated expert knowledge in international benefits and retirement with a focus on governance and preventative design

Knowledge related to disability management including occupational and non-occupational focused on return to work and early intervention programs to support the Wellness Manager

Superior organization skills with a demonstrated ability to achieve results in a complex environment, managing multiple priorities and time constraints

Highly developed relationship building and interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective relationships and influence key partners

Strong writing, communication and presentation skills

Ability to think and act strategically but also to operationalize strategy into long and short term implications

Strong people leadership and people development skills, ability to cultivate existing and new talent for the organization

Our story :

Founded in 1962, OMERS is one of Canada’s largest defined benefit pension plans, with $128.6 CAD billion in net assets as of December 31, 2023.

OMERS is a jointly-sponsored pension plan, with more than 1,000 participating employers ranging from large cities to local agencies, and over half a million active, deferred and retired members.

OMERS members include union and non-union employees of municipalities, school boards, local boards, transit systems, electrical utilities, emergency services and children’s aid societies across Ontario.

Contributions to the Plan are funded equally by members and employers. OMERS teams work in Toronto, London, New York, Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Singapore, Sydney and other major cities across North America and Europe serving members and employers and originating and managing a diversified portfolio of high-quality investments in public markets, private equity, infrastructure and real estate.

OMERS is committed to having a workforce that reflects the communities in which we live and work. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to a barrier-free recruitment and selection process.

At OMERS inclusion and diversity means belonging. How we create a sense of belonging is through our employees and our vast network of Employee Resource Groups.

Whether you are passionate about gender, pride, or visible minorities, we have groups that are focused on making a difference in all of our lives.