Manager - Benefits, Retirement Plans
Work Mode: Onsite
Location: Onsite, four days per week – Kohler, WI
Opportunity
Reporting to the Director of US Benefits, the Manager – Retirement Plans is a senior leader within the Global Benefits Center of Excellence (COE), responsible for the strategic oversight, governance, and administration of the Company’s qualified and nonqualified pension, 401(k), and deferred compensation plans. This role provides leadership and direction to retirement plan analysts, ensuring operational excellence, compliance, and continuous improvement of plan administration processes. The Manager will lead vendor strategy, drive plan design and communication initiatives, and serve as a key advisor on retirement plan operations, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
Specific Responsibilities
- Provide direct leadership, coaching, and performance management for Retirement Plan Analysts, including workload prioritization, development, and mentoring.
- Own the strategic direction and governance of the Company’s retirement plans, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and regulatory requirements.
- Oversee all aspects of retirement plan administration, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance across enrollments, contributions, distributions, and pension calculations.
- Lead the relationship and performance management of external vendors, including TPAs, actuaries, auditors, legal advisors, and recordkeepers, ensuring service delivery and adherence to SLAs.
- Establish and manage retirement plan education and communication strategy, including development, approval, and delivery of participant communications and educational opportunities.
- Serve as the primary escalation point for complex participant, operational, and compliance issues.
- Lead annual audit processes, government filings, and compliance testing, ensuring completeness and accuracy of required documentation.
- Oversee and maintain legal plan documents, amendments, and regulatory updates in partnership with legal and compliance partners.
- Partner with Finance, Payroll, HRIS, and global stakeholders to ensure effective financial management and operational integration of retirement programs.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including process optimization, system enhancements, and risk mitigation strategies.
- Lead and influence plan design discussions, recommending changes based on data analysis, trends, and regulatory developments.
- Oversee development and delivery of reporting and analytics to support decision-making and identify risks or opportunities.
- Ensure proper internal controls and governance practices are in place and operating effectively.
- Lead strategic and complex retirement-related projects at the enterprise level.
- Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Skills/Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting, or related field; advanced certification (CEBS, ASA, EA, etc.) preferred.
- 5+ years of progressive benefits experience with significant focus on retirement plans, including defined benefit and defined contribution programs.
- Demonstrated leadership experience, including managing or mentoring team members.
- Deep knowledge of ERISA, IRS, and DOL regulations as they apply to qualified and nonqualified plans.
- Proven experience managing external vendors and large-scale benefits programs.
- Strong background in benefit plan administration systems and data management.
KEY COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS
- Strong leadership, coaching, and team development capabilities.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to translate complex regulatory and operational requirements into actionable plans.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills across all levels of the organization.
- Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills.
- High level of attention to detail and commitment to compliance and accuracy.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and drive results in a fast-paced environment.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel and data analysis capabilities.
#LI-CM2 #LI-Onsite
Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.
We believe in supporting you from the moment you join us, which is why Kohler offers day 1 benefits. This means you’ll have access to your applicable benefit programs from your first day on the job, with no waiting period. The salary range for this position is $113,150 - $175,150. The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, their education, and the work location. In addition, this position is eligible for a performance bonus/variable incentive compensation.
Why Choose Kohler?
We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation. With more than 30,000 bold leaders across the globe, we’re driving meaningful change in our mission to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives.
About Us
It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected]. Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
