Director, Retirement Strategy & Benefits Governance

Abbott (abbottcareers2 board); Illinois; On-site; USD 220,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training and career development

Financial security

Health care programs

Paid time off

401(k) retirement savings

Company stability

Job summary

Abbott, a global healthcare leader, seeks a Director, Retirement Plans to lead strategy, governance, and administration of the U.S. and Puerto Rico retirement programs, including defined benefit, defined contribution, and student loan initiatives.

You will partner with Benefits & Wellness, Finance, Legal, Payroll, M&A, Executive Compensation, HR, and external providers to deliver programs that support Abbott's workforce, retirees, and business objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree and/or professional certification preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in retirement, benefits, or related fields, including leadership responsibility in a large, complex organization.
• Experience managing retirement programs within a large corporate environment; Fortune 500 experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing retirement programs, external vendors, consultants, and cross-functional stakeholder relationships.
• Experience leading retirement plan vendor evaluations, RFPs, implementations, and ongoing governance processes.
• Experience supporting retirement-related aspects of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, integrations, or other significant organizational changes.
• Strong knowledge of defined benefit and defined contribution plans, including applicable U.S. and Puerto Rico regulatory requirements.
• Proven analytical, project management, communication, and influencing skills, with the ability to lead complex initiatives and engage senior leader
• Acts as a strategic leader who balances participant experience, compliance, governance, operational excellence, and financial stewardship.

Responsibilities

• Lead retirement plan strategy, design, governance, and compliance for U.S. and Puerto Rico retirement programs.
• Monitor legislative, market, and business developments and recommend program enhancements.
• Support audits, actuarial valuations, and retirement plan integration activities related to M&A transactions.
• Lead retirement plan vendor selection processes, including RFPs, contract negotiations, transitions, and implementation activities.
• Oversee administration of defined benefit, defined contribution, and student loan repayment programs.
• Ensure effective plan operations, vendor performance, regulatory compliance, and participant experience.
• Resolve complex administrative, regulatory, and participant matters.
• Manage relationships with external providers, consultants, and key internal stakeholders.
• Serve as the primary retirement subject matter expert, influencing decisions across functions and leadership levels.
• Direct retirement communications, education, and engagement strategies for employees and retirees.
• Lead and develop the retirement plans team while driving continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Oversee retirement program financial performance, pension funding activities, budgets, and risk management controls.

Job description

Abbott, a global healthcare leader, seeks a Director, Retirement Plans to lead strategy, governance, and administration of the U.S. and Puerto Rico retirement programs, including defined benefit, defined contribution, and student loan initiatives.

You will partner with Benefits & Wellness, Finance, Legal, Payroll, M&A, Executive Compensation, HR, and external providers to deliver programs that support Abbott's workforce, retirees, and business objectives.