About the position

This is a position with FirstEnergy Service Co., a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. The position is in Human Resources within the Retirement Programs group and reports to the Manager, Executive Compensation & Retirement Programs. It may be located at the Corporate Headquarters in Akron, Ohio, Greensburg, Pennsylvania or Reading, Pennsylvania. The position is responsible for performing various business-related activities to support the Retirement Programs department. The Retirement Programs team is responsible for administering the defined benefit pension (qualified and non-qualified) and our 401(k) program. This position partners with the business units to ensure that programs support their objectives by helping to attract and retain key and critical talent.

Responsibilities

• Supports the administration of our defined benefit pension programs, both qualified and non-qualified plan formulas
• Supports the administration of our 401(k) program
• Assists with monthly pension payroll processing and validations; knowledge of Oracle is a plus
• Performs various reconciliations and research discrepancies
• Processes active and retiree deaths which involve confirmation, updating pension option elections and identifying the beneficiary, as applicable, and notifying vendors
• Assist with all special pension-related projects such as early retirement options and pension lift-outs
• Compiles data in preparation for retirements (projections and actual retirements), including data requests from external financial providers
• Reviews divorce documentation to determine if a Qualified Domestic Relations Order or Domestic Relations Order are necessary
• Perform SOX controls designed to ensure data accuracy for pension calculations and valuations
• Work with internal and external auditors on the annual pension audit
• Reviews and supports calls from current and former employees with questions on retirement programs, beneficiary changes and/or account distributions
• Consulting with business unit leaders on retirement program practices and processes
• Preparing and delivering pension-related presentations to employees
• Preparing various ad-hoc reports and statistics for the company's retirement programs and initiatives, which may include performing complex reporting and analysis functions
• Recommending process improvements as well as recommending and implementing solutions to drive change across the organization

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in related discipline with a minimum of 4 to 7 years relevant work experience, or in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree, a minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience.
• Demonstrated proficiency in job skills required to perform in defined business role.
• Applies understanding by generalizing conceptual knowledge to determine ways to solve routine challenges.
• Effectively influences and exercises independent judgment on basic projects and assignments and starts to recognize greater implication to unrelated business operations and/or processes.
• Requires a lesser degree of management oversight.
• Proficient written and oral communication skills with the ability to tailor messaging and effectively and concisely communicate concepts.
• Proficient knowledge/use of Microsoft Office tools including Excel (high degree desired), PowerPoint, and Word.
• Proficient analytical and quantitative skills with demonstrated ability to proactively identify challenges or roadblocks, gather and analyze relevant information while furthering understanding of the topic/issue, develop solutions, and present recommendations.
• Proficient knowledge of section operations and fundamental knowledge of department operations.
• Proficient work management skills; ability to independently organize, manage and prioritize multiple work assignments.
• Demonstrates proficiency in working with management and peers internal and external of the department.
• Ability to support established relationships and interface with external parties while maintaining core business objectives.
• Understand the connections between the various areas in HR

Nice-to-haves

• knowledge of Oracle is a plus
• Working knowledge of the administration of 401(k) under Fidelity is a plus
• Working knowledge or familiarity of Code Section 409A is a plus
• CEBS or SHRM certification is a plus

Benefits

• company-sponsored pension plan
• 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution
• a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs
• skills development training with tuition reimbursement