Director of Retirement

The Massachusetts Port Authority is Going Above and Beyond™ for your career.  We are a dynamic organization that connects people and businesses to the global community by air, land, and sea. Our employees are essential in moving planes, cargo, and cruise ships safely, efficiently, and sustainably. We are an economic engine, managing real estate assets where people live, work, and play.  Together, the properties we own and operate generate $20 billion for the region’s economy. 

The Massachusetts Port Authority Employees’ Retirement System (MPAERS) was established on July 18, 1978, effective January 1, 1979 by enactment of Chapter 487 of the Massachusetts General Laws, to provide Massport employees and their beneficiaries with secure retirement, survivor, and disability benefits. MPAERS is one of 104 state and municipal systems in Massachusetts bound by Chapter 32 of the Massachusetts General Laws, which establishes benefits, contribution requirements, and an accounting and funds structure for all systems.

MPAERS is administered by a five-member board consisting of one ex-officio member, two elected members, one member appointed by Massport, and one member appointed by the four other board members. The board, while operating independently, is regulated by the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission.

DIRECTOR OF RETIREMENT

The Director of Retirement provides strategic leadership for the operational, technical, organizational and financial administration, and investment activities of the MPAERS. The Director develops, implements and monitors strategies, policies, programs, standards and procedures to ensure compliance with Chapter 32 of the Massachusetts General Laws, Public Employee Retirement Administration regulations and MPAERS and Authority policies, as well as other Massachusetts and federal laws, rules and regulations. 

The Director represents MPAERS in all aspects of leadership, management, strategic planning, communications, public relations and negotiations, as determined by the Board. The Director establishes organizational goals and objectives, manages implementation of MPAERS initiatives, business and technology planning and leading/motivating MPAERS staff. 

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Leads and directs the administration and operation of the MPAERS, a single employer defined benefit pension plan governed by Chapter 32 of the Massachusetts General Laws and regulations promulgated by the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission (PERAC).

• Oversees and ensures system compliance with Chapter 32 of the Massachusetts General Laws and PERAC regulations contained in 840 CMR plus MPAERS and Authority policies, as well as other Massachusetts and federal laws, rules and regulations.
• Oversees and is responsible for all finance related activities of the plan including investment and financial reporting, retiree payroll, tax reporting, warrant billings and membership record keeping for MPAERS.
• Responsible for coordinating and collaborating with MPAERS Investment Advisor(s), as well as overseeing and implementing investment strategies as approved by Board.  Total investments of MPAERS were approx. $1b as of December 31, 2025.
• Leads, develops, recruits, engages, and evaluates team members, fostering a high-performing and engaged team.
• Plans, directs and monitors all membership and customer service functions. Membership functions include active member annuity savings fund account records and reporting, processing member account and service transfers to and from other systems, member account withdrawals including refunds and rollovers, counseling members on a variety of issues related to benefits, advising beneficiaries regarding death benefits, calculating retirement allowances including superannuation, ordinary and accidental disability allowances, termination allowances and the various survivor allowances, advising members on the allocation of benefits in a divorce and QDROs, retiree payroll processing, 1099R reporting, communications with the Social Security administration, and determinations with regard to prior service credit.
• Develops, collaborates and coordinates board meeting schedules and meeting, and agenda topics.
• Monitors the processes for ensuring the accuracy all member calculations including deduction postings, make-up, redeposit and military buyback payments, credible service transfers, employee withdrawals, and retirement allowance calculations.
• Directs the planning, preparation, maintenance and monitoring of the MPAERS operating budget.
• If designated by the Board, serves as election officer for all Board Member elections and is responsible for process adherence.
• Liaison to state and federal regulatory agencies including PERAC, the Attorney General’s office, the MA State Auditor’s office, the MA Treasurer’s office, DALA, CRAB and the IRS. 
• Serves as the liaison to Massport on retirement system and other related matters including but not limited to worker’s compensation, employee relations issues, legal and regulatory concerns, deferred compensation (457 plan), OPEB and payroll deductions from active employees for retirement. 
• Represents MPAERS in Authority committees and task forces and represents MPAERS as needed.

Shapes and develops MPAERS member education, communication and customer service initiatives.  

• Develops strategies and ensures that a culture of customer service excellence is maintained at all times on behalf of members.
• Oversees the design, development and implementation of the MPAERS regular newsletter Outlook, comprehensive annual active member benefit statements, and the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
• Oversees the planning and implementation of the education plan which includes various member / membership outreach events including but not limited to drop-in sessions at various facilities, information seminars on a variety of retirement/finance topics and the annual financial fair.
• Organizes and oversees pre-retirement seminars for prospective retirees.
• Oversees and conducts pre-retirement counseling to prospective retirees and spouses.

Develops and implements, under the guidance of the Board, all MPAERS policies regarding membership matters, investments, accounting, administration, operations and record keeping.

• Develops and oversees the performance of MPAERS policies and procedures, as needed.
• Implements and monitors policies for compliance with Massachusetts and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
• Pursues regulatory approvals as required.
• Monitors and keeps current on all relevant Massachusetts and federal laws, rules and regulations, pending legislative proposals, local and national public sector benefit and pension policy trends, record retention, and any other matters potentially affecting the MPAERS.
• Develops and evaluates policies and procedures to safeguard all protected information in accordance with applicable federal and Massachusetts laws, rules, regulations and MPAERS and Massport policies and procedures.

Oversees relationships, procurements and contracts with MPAERS vendors and outside consultants including legal counsel, investment managers, investment consultant, actuary, independent auditor, banking and investment custodian, hardware and software vendors, and graphic designer.

• Works directly with legal counsel, and in conjunction with the Board, in resolving all legal items, matters, and issues involving MPAERS.  This includes specific member/membership/retirement(s)/policies and legislation/laws and regulations/and procurement and contract considerations.
• Works directly with the plan actuary to coordinate the implementation of the annual valuation, production of active member statements and CAFR reporting as needed.
• Works directly with investment consultant and investment managers as needed to ensure the proper execution of Board investment strategies as well as monitoring policy, performance, industry trends and potential regulatory changes as well as CAFR reporting.
• Works directly with the plan’s external auditor to coordinate the implementation of the annual audit from initial engagement to field work to issuing financial statements, the letter of representation and the CAFR.
• Acts as procurement officer on MPAERS searches from RFP creation and issuance to contract execution. 

Performs other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Education
Bachelor’s degree required.  Master’s degree and/or Certified Employee Benefits Specialist certification preferred.

Experience
Ten years of experience in benefit plan administration or related matters required; five or more years in a senior management position required. Direct experience in decision making and interaction with board governance / members and various stakeholders required.  Direct experience in managing a large single employer public defined benefit plan preferred.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Substantial working knowledge of single employer defined benefit plans, particularly state and federal statutory law(s), rules, and regulations regarding major aspects of the operations, compliance requirements, and administration of public sector retirement and pensions plans (akin to M.G.L., Chapter 32 Retirement Systems and Pensions) 
• Working knowledge of Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission (PERAC) regulations and policies pertaining to investments, member retirements (voluntary, involuntary, disability, etc…), membership oversight and communications and Board elections.
• Working knowledge of open meeting, public records, records retention and protected information state laws and regulations.
• Working knowledge of the institutional investment industry.
• Proficiency with current technology and experience with benefits administration systems.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective and influential relationships with a diverse audience both internal and external to MPAERS through the use of interpersonal and communication (oral/written) skills.
• Full understanding of what it means to be a fiduciary.
• Ability to think and act in an innovative manner, while operating within a rules-based system.
• Skilled as a team leader and team member.
• Ability to pass a Massport controlled substances test and background security checks.

WORKING CONDITIONS 

Environmental Parameters
Ability to work in an office environment and to travel to all Massport facilities as needed.

Physical Demands
Strength: Ability to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and /or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move an object.  
Type: Ability to perform administrative duties, typing, filing, reaching high and low to access files, reaching high files. Ability to walk or stand for extended time periods. Ability to verbally express or exchange ideas in a clear and thoughtful manner.

WORK SCHEDULE 

Ability to work a 37.5-hour workweek and to meet fluctuating workload demands as necessary.  Hybrid work schedule may include three in-office and two remote workdays per week. Ability to attend meetings outside of normal business hours as necessary.

EQUIPMENT USED 

Computer, telephone (landline and cell), multi-function printer/scanner/copier/fax,and other standard office and enterprise technology as provided by Massport.
 

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WHAT WE OFFER

Collaboration with colleagues at all levels of leadership from all different disciplines, from Aviation to Maritime and beyond. Every day is different at Massport and the breadth of our impact on the Massachusetts region through our facilities provides many opportunities for our employees to grow, learn, and explore the many areas of our business.  Our business is all about connecting.  We support and take pride in the employees that make those connections possible each and every day. 

• Work/life balance
• A supportive and inclusive culture
• Opportunities for growth
• Providing safe, healthy, and secure work environment
• Supporting the people and businesses of New England
• Achieving results and having positive impact
• Being good neighbors in the communities we serve
• Protecting the environment
   

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