Benefits Program Manager - Retirement & ESPP (Hybrid)

AECOM; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM is seeking a Benefits Program Manager - Retirement Plans to join our Global Benefits & Well-being team in Dallas or a hybrid location. The role provides professional level support for administering AECOM’s retirement benefits and ESPP programs, including defined contribution and defined benefit plans.

The successful candidate will work with cross-functional teams to optimize plan design, ensure compliance, and support communications with employees.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• 6+ years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency.
• Significant hands-on ESPP experience.
• Knowledge of Section 423 ESPP, SEC regulations, ERISA, DOL, IRS requirements.

Responsibilities

• Serve as ESPP subject matter expert; own plan administration and participant experience.
• Oversee ESPP enrollment, purchase periods, payroll deductions, refunds, dispositions, and data file maintenance.
• Maintain ESPP records, manage vendors and data exchanges.
• Support ESPP communications and educational materials on plan design and value.
• Ensure compliance with IRC 423, tax regulations, and securities laws.
• Collaborate with Total Rewards, Compensation, and Equity teams for alignment.
• Partner with Legal, Finance, Tax, Payroll, and Equity Administration to align with financial reporting.
• Support governance activities: committee meetings, audits, and RFPs.
• Research ESPP expansion globally and identify optimization opportunities.

Skills

ESPP experience

Project management

Problem solving

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Finance or Business

6+ years relevant experience

Tools

Workday

ADP

Oracle

Job description

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

AECOM has an opening for a Benefits Program Manager - Retirement Plans to join our Global Benefits & Well-being team in our Dallas office or a hybrid work location. The role provides professional level support to the ongoing administration of AECOM’s retirement benefits program. The qualified candidate should have diverse exposure to various forms of retirement/financial plans such as stock programs (employee stock purchase plans ESPP). defined contribution, defined benefit plans, and non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements.

This position will offer some flexibility for hybrid work schedules to include both in-office presence and telecommute/virtual work, and can be based from anywhere in the US where AECOM has an office location.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary ESPP subject matter expert, owning plan administration, design recommendations, and participant experience.
• Oversee ESPP operations across enrollment, purchase periods, payroll deductions, refunds, qualified dispositions, and data file maintenance.
• Maintain ESPP benefits records, manage vendors and ensure accurate data exchange and reconciliations.
• Support ESPP communications, including educational materials explaining plan design and employee value.
• Ensure compliance with IRC Section 423, global tax regulations, and securities laws.
• Collaborate with Total Rewards, Compensation, and Equity teams to ensure alignment across benefit programs.
• Partner with Legal, Finance, Tax, Payroll, and Equity Administration teams to align operations with financial reporting and payroll processes.
• Support plan governance activities, including committee meetings, fiduciary documentation, audits, and RFPs.
• Research ESPP expansion globally
• Identify opportunities, including the use of AI to improve operational efficiency, automate processes, and enhance the employee experience.
• Act as a trusted advisor to HR leadership to research, analyze and resolve issues timely.
• Monitor industry trends, regulatory developments, and best practices in retirement and stock programs.
• Serve as back-up for Qualified and Non-Qualified plan administration.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree, in Finance, Business Administration, or related field, plus at least 6 years of relevant experience, or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education.
• Significant hands-on ESPP experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Section 423 ESPP, SEC regulations, ERISA, DOL, and IRS requirements.
• Prior experience managing global ESPP programs for publicly traded company stock programs.
• Strong project management and problem-solving skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with both defined contribution savings and defined benefit pension plans is preferred
• HRIS/Payroll/Benefit systems, such as Workday, ADP and ORACLE experience is preferred

Additional Information

• Sponsorship for US work authorization is not available for this position, now or in the future
• Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

Offered rate of compensation will be based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. The range for this position is $80000 to $110000.

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle - from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.