Manager, Total Rewards

About the role

Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) is a leading independent global professional services firm, specializing in providing turnaround management, performance improvement and corporate advisory services. With over 10,000 professionals based in 70+ locations across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America, our firm excels in problem solving and value creation. Drawing on a strong operational heritage and hands-on-approach, our professionals work closely with organizations and stakeholders to help tackle complex business issues and maximize value.

Responsibilities

• Lead the administration of retirement and financial benefit programs across the U.S. and Canada, including 401(k), cash balance, registered retirement saving plan (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 cash balance plan and registered retirement savings plan provisions, participant questions, stakeholder guidance, and employee communications.
• Help manage cash balance plan operations, including the review of annual interest credits and pay credits, participant data reviews, benefit calculations, and eligibility questions.
• Support cash balance plan governance and compliance by assisting with plan document reviews, required notices, annual funding and census requests, audit support, nondiscrimination testing coordination, and clear participant-facing explanations of plan features and account balance changes.
• Partner with Payroll, Finance, Legal, Compliance, HRIS, People Business Partners, and external vendors to deliver programs accurately, compliantly, and on time.
• Build strong vendor partnerships, manage escalations, support reporting needs, and identify process improvements that make the employee experience smoother and more consistent.
• Create clear employee communications, FAQs, presentations, and educational materials that make retirement and financial benefit programs easy to understand.
• Support Benefits strategy by analyzing benefits data (including but not limited to program effectiveness, market competitiveness, employee experience and cost trends) to support decision-making, reporting and program recommendations.
• Lead or support projects such as RFPs, annual enrollment, plan changes, vendor transitions, service model enhancements, policy updates, and employee education campaigns.
• Stay current on U.S. and Canadian retirement, financial benefit, and compliance requirements, and share relevant updates and recommendations with key stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field
• 6+ years of progressive Total Rewards/Benefits experience, ideally with a strong focus on retirement plan administration, including 401(k), cash balance plans and registered retirement savings plans.
• Experience working with recordkeepers, actuaries, auditors, legal counsel, payroll, finance, and HR partners to support accurate and compliant retirement plan administration.
• Working knowledge of retirement plan compliance, including ERISA, plan documentation, audits, nondiscrimination testing, participant notices, and related governance activities.
• Ability to explain complex retirement plan provisions, cash balance plan concepts, and compliance requirements in a clear, practical, and approachable way.
• Advanced analytical skills with expertise in data analysis, financial modeling, and benefits cost projections
• Proven experience with HRIS (Workday) and benefits administration platforms
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to handle complex, multi-faceted benefits issues
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and interact effectively with senior executives and employees at all levels
• Demonstrated project management skills and ability to lead cross-functional teams
• Ability to manage confidential information with the highest level of discretion

Benefits

• Healthcare plans, flexible spending and savings accounts, life, AD&D, and disability coverages (rates determined periodically)
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Annual discretionary contribution to the 401(k) retirement savings plan (when eligibility requirements are met)
• Paid time off including vacation, personal days, seventy-two (72) hours of sick time (prorated for part‑time employees), ten federal holidays, one floating holiday, and parental leave