Total Rewards Manager — Retirement Plans & Benefits

Alvarez & Marsal; Chicago (IL); Remote; USD 110,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Discretionary 401(k) contribution

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Alvarez & Marsal in the U.S. and Canada seeks a Manager, Total Rewards to lead retirement and financial benefit programs, including 401(k), cash balance, RRSP, and financial wellness initiatives.

You will guide a team responsible for day‑to‑day administration, employee support, and compliance, while partnering with Payroll, Finance, Legal, and HRIS. This role requires retirement plan expertise, strong communication with senior leaders, and hands‑on experience with Workday and vendor management.

Qualifications

• 6+ years in Total Rewards/Benefits with retirement plan focus
• Experience with 401(k), cash balance plans, RRSP administration
• Knowledge of ERISA, plan documentation, audits, nondiscrimination testing
• Ability to explain complex retirement provisions clearly
• Strong analytical skills with data analysis and cost projections

Responsibilities

• Lead retirement and financial benefit programs across the U.S. and Canada, including 401(k), cash balance, RRSP, and financial wellness programs
• Lead, coach, and support a team responsible for program administration, employee questions, issue resolution, and operational execution
• Act as a trusted resource on retirement plan administration, including provisions, questions, guidance, and communications
• Help manage cash balance plan operations, including annual interest credits, pay credits, data reviews, benefit calculations, and eligibility questions
• Support cash balance plan governance and compliance with plan documents, notices, funding, census, audits, and nondiscrimination testing
• Partner with Payroll, Finance, Legal, Compliance, HRIS, People Business Partners, and external vendors
• Build strong vendor partnerships, manage escalations, support reporting needs, identify process improvements
• Create clear employee communications, FAQs, presentations, and educational materials
• Support Benefits strategy by analyzing data to support decisions and program recommendations
• Lead or support projects such as RFPs, enrollment, plan changes, vendor transitions, policy updates, education campaigns
• Stay current on U.S. and Canadian retirement, financial benefit, and compliance requirements

Skills

Total Rewards strategy

Retirement plan administration

Stakeholder communication

Project management

HRIS (Workday)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field

Tools

Workday

Job description

Alvarez & Marsal in the U.S. and Canada seeks a Manager, Total Rewards to lead retirement and financial benefit programs, including 401(k), cash balance, RRSP, and financial wellness initiatives.

You will guide a team responsible for day‑to‑day administration, employee support, and compliance, while partnering with Payroll, Finance, Legal, and HRIS. This role requires retirement plan expertise, strong communication with senior leaders, and hands‑on experience with Workday and vendor management.