Director ILWU-PMA Welfare and Pension Benefits
: Job Details :

Put your experience and talents to work in a role with a unique company - the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA). PMA is a non-profit mutual benefit corporation that serves as a multi-employer collective bargaining agent for approximately 75 shipping lines, stevedore companies, and marine terminal operators at California, Oregon, and Washington ports. West Coast port operations (including non-containerized cargo such as bulk and autos) now support 9.2 million U.S. jobs and contribute 12.5 percent of the U.S. GDP.

PMA's primary purpose is to negotiate and administer labor contracts with the International Longshore & Warehouse Union on behalf of the Association's member companies, as well as administrating payroll and certain benefits. Our headquarters and administrative office is located in San Francisco, California, with area offices in Southern California (Long Beach and satellite offices in San Diego and Port Hueneme) and the Pacific Northwest (Portland, Oregon and Seattle and Tacoma, Washington) in addition to Northern California (Oakland).

Summary:

• Dynamic and challenging role responsible for oversight and management of the ILWU-PMA jointly administered Taft-Hartley welfare plan covering 50,000 plus lives with an annual spend of $1 billion and a pension plan with $9B plus in assets; a 401(k) plan with $3B plus in assets.
• Must have 15+ years demonstrated experience and success in delivering benefits to collectively bargained workers through consulting, employee benefits legal work and/or large plan administration experience.
• Substantial role in collective bargaining of the benefit programs working with outside consultants, actuaries, and attorneys including the preparation of bargaining positions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include:

• Develops and presents management strategies for the delivery of health care, pension and other benefits in accordance with collective bargaining agreements and statutory requirements.
• Handles various health and retirement benefit appeals, assists with benefit arbitrations.
• Works to ensure effective and efficient business processes and administrative controls for TPAs and other Plan vendors.
• Oversee administration of the 401(k) plan, ensuring compliance with plan agreements.
• Assists with compliance and government reporting of health and welfare plans, pension and 401(k) plans (ERISA disclosure) to include, 5500s, SPDs, SSPDs, SMMs, SBCs and SARs along with other participant disclosures and communications; reviewing plan documents; and contracts.
• Interacts in a challenging environment with Union, Benefit Plans Office, plan vendors and consultants, attorneys and other external relationships regarding various benefits related issues and plan administration matters, including attending Plan meetings and overseeing the coordination and the preparation of materials for the meetings.
• Monitors plan experience and financial utilization data to prepare budgets, and administration of negotiations.
• Develop Employer collective bargaining proposals, analyze Union demands and prepare Board of Director level communications.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct management of three internal staff and indirect management of outside vendors.

EXPERIENCE:

Must have 15+ years of demonstrated experience in the field of employee health benefits, pension, 401(k) benefits, and ERISA. DOL, ACA, PPA and related employee benefits laws and regulations. The qualified candidate may come from a benefits consulting/actuarial firm; a benefits attorney from a law firm or in-house corporation; or a senior benefits administrator for large collectively bargained healthcare fund.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS and SKILLS:

• Required bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university; law or other graduate degree(s) and/or certified employee benefits specialist (CEBS), a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate, problem solve, develop strong relationships, influence significant decisions.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Outstanding integrity and confidentiality.
• Relationship management.
• Business acumen in a union environment.
• Executive presence and ability to build strong relationships with senior leaders.

WRITTEN AND VERBAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

Must have mature writing, research, and analytical skills for responding to complex health and other plan issues along with verbal communication skills to effectively present such issues to senior level executives. Must be able to write letters advocating Employer positions on various plan matters and advocate for such positions with the Union.

Skills required in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those in a typical office setting. Sitting and typing at a computer terminal for several hours per day is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. Some travel required for this position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

PMA offices are in the financial district of downtown San Francisco within easy walking distance of public transportation. PMA offers a professional and collaborative environment. This position requires the Director to be in the office located in San Francisco (this is not a remote position).

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

PMA offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits: Healthcare provided under the ILWU-PMA Welfare Plan (with no employee premiums and low out of pocket exposure). PMA offers a defined contribution plan (401K) with a competitive discretionary employer match that equals 100% of the first 5% and 50% of the next 10% of eligible pre-tax contributions. In addition, PMA provides tuition reimbursement, company-paid benefits conferences, and certifications.

PMA is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.