Policy Project Manager, Retirement

OVERVIEW

The Retirement Policy Project Manager supports the Retirement Practice Council, which leads the actuarial public policy work focused on issues related to multiemployer plans, pensions, public plans, retirement policy, and social security. Working collaboratively with the Practice Council Vice President, the policy project manager is the primary point of contact for the active volunteer members within the practice area. The role incorporates project management and effective communication skills, requiring the ability to multi-task effectively and manage multiple projects with competing prioritization by exercising independent judgement and following established organizational and departmental processes.

The Policy Project Manager will identify, maintain, and grow relationships with volunteers and key external stakeholders. Working with the volunteer leadership and Department leadership teams, responsible for helping to lead and develop an annual strategic plan, manage external events, and maintain the external stakeholder database. The Policy Project Manager owns the activities and planning of publications and engagement for the practice council, leveraging project management technology (Asana) and other online sharing tools to manage the workload, call schedules, and more for the practice council and related committees, work groups, and task forces. With guidance from the Senior Director and department leadership, the Policy Project Manager develops, monitors, and manages the Practice Council annual budget.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Project Management

• Working collaboratively with the Practice Council and related committees, supports the identification of opportunities and the development of public policy work products (comment letters, issue briefs, presentation materials, etc.) in support of the Academy’s mission.
• Leveraging effective planning and communication skills coupled with project management tools (Asana), responsible for creating, tracking, reporting, and finalizing work products for the Practice Council. Using Academy supported technology, captures and identifies opportunities to improve processes, develops department best practices, and drafts standards of practice (SOPs).
• As staff support for the Practice Council, in consultation with the Vice President and other leadership, responsible for agenda development, maintaining accurate records of meetings and work products, periodic facilitation of meeting discussions, managing the Practice Council budget, and governance compliance. This also includes governance functions related to volunteer tenure, volunteer recruitment, volunteer on-boarding, and succession planning.
• Working with other internal staff, manages and supports the successful development and delivery of virtual and in-person events, including regular Practice Council and committee meetings, annual hill visits, federal agency meetings, periodic stakeholder roundtables and symposia, and webinars.
• Develops reports and briefing materials for use at Board meetings and other internal updates. This includes monthly reports, quarterly cycle reports, and other materials as directed by senior leadership.

Collaborative Communication

• Working with internal staff, schedules, and organizes retirement-related external events (such as webinars and symposia), highlighting Academy work.
• In consultation with the Vice President and other Academy leadership, identify, develop, and promote panels and other external speaking events that spotlight the work and policy positions of the Practice Council.
• Serves as a point of contact on the Academy’s retirement public policy issues for external stakeholders working to develop and maintain external relationships in support of the Academy’s role in the retirement space.
• To support ongoing engagement with key external stakeholders and other interested parties, identifies and regularly maintains contact records with public policy decision-makers to increase awareness of the Academy’s role as a source of independent analysis and actuarial expertise.

Issue Awareness

• Proactively monitors, identifies and shares public policy issues and related activity with department and Practice Council, to help stimulate discussion and propose future engagement through work product development, presentations, or other outreach.
• Collaborate with the Vice President and other leadership to identify key external opportunities to spotlight the work of the Practice Council and its membership, and engage with internal and external stakeholders to enhance and support the Academy’s public policy mission.
• Collaborates with department colleagues and other Academy staff to develop content that highlights key policy issues related to Retirement insurance and the broader marketplace. Content includes blog posts, newsletter and magazine content, podcasts, and external presentations.
• Monitors and reports upon federal legislative and regulatory proposals and exposures within the retirement policy landscape to the Practice Council and department colleagues, facilitating any relevant responses and comments.
• Other duties as assigned.

Travel: Less than 5%.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Effective time management, project management and organizational skills required.
• Ability to meet deadlines and handle multiple tasks in a busy environment.
• Proactive and collaborative work ethic.
• Overall resourcefulness and ability to take initiative.
• Experience in successful relationship building and understanding of stakeholder relationship development.
• Working knowledge of state and federal legislative and regulatory processes, political landscape, and insurance environment is helpful.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

College degree and a minimum of four years of professional experience. Project management experience strongly preferred, with experience using Asana a plus. Previous experience in an association, trade, or legislative/regulatory environment is helpful. Interest in retirement policy issues, public policy, or insurance more broadly is helpful to grow and develop in this role.

Title: Policy Project Manager, Retirement

Department: Public Policy

Reports to: Director, Public Policy

Direct report(s): N/A

FLSA Classification: Exempt.