Retirement Benefits Expert

ABB•Cary, NC

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

ABB is seeking a Retirement Benefits Expert to join a business- and strategy-focused team. The role serves as a subject matter expert for retirement plan operations and works with the Retirement Benefits Manager, Head of Benefits Operations, Payroll, Finance, Legal, HRIS, and external recordkeepers, actuaries, trustees, and third-party administrators. It supports the administration, analysis, compliance, and operations of defined contribution (401(k)), defined benefit pension, and nonqualified deferred compensation plans. The position supports plan governance, participant experience, regulatory compliance, funding, vendor management, and retirement communications while ensuring accurate administration and operational excellence. The position reports to the Manager, Retirement and follows a hybrid schedule from ABB’s Cary, North Carolina office. Candidates must already be authorized to work for ABB in the United States.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in HR, Finance, Accounting, Business, or a related field.
At least 8 years of retirement benefits administration experience.
In-depth knowledge of retirement plans, including defined contribution and nonqualified deferred compensation plans; knowledge of these plan types is required.
Understanding of benefit laws and regulations, including ERISA, SPD, filing, testing, reporting, and notice requirements.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
Prior experience with a Human Resources Information System.
Critical-thinking skills to investigate and resolve issues.
Ability to manage multiple tasks and shifting priorities, meet tight deadlines, work independently and collaboratively, lead projects, and work with internal and external partners.
Demonstrated presentation skills.
Ability to handle confidential information discreetly and protect employee privacy.
Highly ethical, flexible, inquisitive, and logical approach, with a strong customer focus.
Must already possess authorization to work for ABB in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Defined benefit plan experience; DB plans are preferred.
Experience with Workday.

Responsibilities

Administer retirement plan eligibility and participation requirements; audit eligibility data and resolve discrepancies.
Monitor employee deferral elections and employer matching contributions; validate contribution files and payroll interfaces; perform and confirm payroll-to-recordkeeper reconciliations; research and resolve errors in coordination with Payroll.
Administer executive deferred compensation elections and tracking.
Support ERISA compliance reviews, nondiscrimination testing, Form 5500 preparation, participant notices, and Section 409A compliance.
Serve as a subject matter expert on retirement plan documents and SPDs; maintain plan documents, amendments, and historical files for plan notices and SARs.
Maintain compliance calendars and support audits.
Perform system testing for configuration updates needed for plan changes and compliance, including SECURE 2.0 updates.
Monitor death-audit frequency and outcomes and address findings; maintain knowledge of historical pension files and research requests from former employees and retirees.
Coordinate actuarial census data submissions; support annual actuarial valuations and pension funding activities; assist with pension liability reporting and trust administration.
Coordinate 401(k) communications and campaigns with the recordkeeper and promote them through internal communication channels.
Coordinate the annual nonqualified deferred compensation enrollment period and quarterly maintenance of retirement content on ABB’s internal benefits portal.
Create participant education content and financial wellness messaging; create and update presentations for onboarding newly acquired companies.
Track retirement communication effectiveness and engagement metrics.
Protect confidential information and employee privacy.

Benefits

Medical plan choice between a PPO Copay Plan and a High Deductible Plan with a Health Savings Account.
Choice between Core and Core Plus dental plans.
Vision benefit.
Company-paid life insurance equal to 2x base pay and company-paid AD&D equal to 1x base pay.
Voluntary life and AD&D coverage, employee-paid up to plan maximums.
Company-paid short-term disability for up to 26 weeks.
Company-paid long-term disability at 60% of pay, with an option to buy up to 66 2/3% of pay.
Supplemental employee-paid benefits, including accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness, and pet insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Employee Assistance Program and Health Advocate support for mental and behavioral health, health navigation, virtual health, and infertility and adoption resources.
Employee discount program.
401(k) Savings Plan with company contributions.
Employee Stock Acquisition Plan (ESAP).
11 paid holidays.
Vacation for salaried exempt positions under a permissive time-away policy.
Hands-on experience, mentorship, and learning opportunities.