Defined Benefit Retirement Strategist – Strategy & Insights Group

MFS • Boston, MA

3d • $140,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

At MFS, you will find a culture that supports you in doing what you do best. Our employees work together to reach better outcomes, favoring the strongest idea over the strongest individual. We put people first and demonstrate care and compassion for our community and each other. Because what we do matters – to us as valued professionals and to the millions of people and institutions who rely on us to help them build more secure and prosperous futures. THE ROLE The Defined Benefit Retirement Strategist in the Strategy & Insights Group (SAIG) will drive research and delivery of thought leadership to clients related to retirement plan issues globally, with a primary focus on defined benefit (DB) plans. The Strategist will analyze client trends, stay abreast of legislation and policy, industry issues and write/publish/present MFS's thoughts via client ready presentations, white papers, web, conference presentations. Strong presentation skills and comfort presenting to both small and large audiences is a necessity for this position. The role will involve close collaboration with the Head of Client Strategy, Lead Retirement Strategist, Investment Teams, Sales, Relationship Management and Consultant Relations teams, along with other key stakeholders across the firm to help support the strategy, thought leadership and positioning of the firms’ retirement proposition. The initial focus will be primarily on the US, but will expand to include responsibilities across other countries and regions such as Canada, the UK, Netherlands, etc.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; CFA, MBA or other Master's degree is strongly preferred.
• Required minimum of ten years of retirement plan investment consulting, senior plan sponsor or asset management experience working primarily with public sector DB clients but also demonstrating experience with corporate plans.
• A thorough understanding of both public and private DB plans in the US is required.
• Ability and willingness to be hands on in analyzing data, building PowerPoint presentations, white papers and other thought leadership.
• Excellent public speaking and communication skills required.
• Experience with investment strategy, all asset classes and asset allocation/ investment issues pertinent to retirement plans is required.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively and manage multiple tasks simultaneously within tight deadlines.

Nice To Haves

• Established credibility and visibility in the US public plan retirement market is preferred.
• DC experience is welcomed but not required.
• Familiarity with Canadian, UK, Australian and other global retirement issues is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive ongoing research agenda program related to DB issues of interest to clients with a heavier emphasis on public plans versus corporate plans. This includes analysis of various industry trends, staying abreast of client preferences and asset owner investment trends in DB.
• Work in partnership with the MFS Institutional team to be a trusted partner to our clients, prospects and their consultants by deeply understanding the unique objectives and challenges of their defined benefit plans. Provide perspective to help them make informed decisions on relevant topics critical to aligning plan management with long-term goals. Deliver clear, practical solutions that address their specific priorities and ensure effective outcomes across funding, risk management, governance, and investment strategy.
• Work closely with the current Lead Retirement Strategist to further develop and execute on existing defined contribution thought leadership and content plans.
• Develop and maintain deep retirement plan expertise by participating in and presenting at client meetings, conferences, networking, researching and developing thought leadership both within the US and globally.
• Represent MFS in industry bodies and participate in working groups and sub committees to raise the firm's profile and maintain/enhance its credibility.
• Travel with distribution colleagues to present MFS's thought leadership to clients, consultants and prospects.
• Work closely with relationship managers, sales and enablement teams, and colleagues in SAIG in leading DC and DB consulting engagements as necessary. The role will be supported by analyst resources within SAIG.
• Develop internal training tools, videos, white papers and client discussion guides to enhance MFS's distribution expertise and dialog with clients on retirement issues.
• Assist other teams and regions within MFS and perform additional duties as requested.

Benefits

• MFS contributes an amount equal to 15% of your base salary to your retirement account that is separate from the company -sponsored 401(k)
• Education Assistance: MFS contributes $100 monthly up to $10,000 lifetime maximum directly to loan provider
• Education Assistance: Tuition reimbursement up to $8,000 annually
• Education Assistance: Access to discounted tutors and college coaches
• Generous time off and fully paid leaves including 20-weeks for maternity, 12-weeks for parental and caregiver leaves
• Choice of medical and dental plans and an and an employer contribution into the Health Savings Account
• Tax deferred commuter benefits & flexible spending accounts (medical & dependent care)
• Wellness Programs: Robust wellness webinars, employee assistance program with a focus on mental health, subsidized fitness benefit via Wellhub (formerly Gympass), where you can workout at gyms, studios and boutique fitness locations near you, join virtual personal training sessions and access a wide variety of well-being apps

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees