Chief Administration Officer, Civil Service Superannuation Board

ABOUT THE CIVIL SERVICE SUPERANNUATION BOARD

The Civil Service Superannuation Board (Board) is responsible for administering the Civil Service Superannuation Fund, the Public Service Group Insurance Fund, and any other plans under its direction in accordance with the various acts and insurance policies, and for providing efficient services and equal treatment to all its members.

The major objectives and responsibilities of the Board are to:

• Oversee the payment of benefits and maintenance of accurate records for all revenue, expenditure, investment transactions, contributions, earnings, service and interest for each individual member
• Safeguard the assets of the civil service superannuation fund (the fund), monitor the return on fund assets and meet disclosure requirements concerning fund operations
• Ensureemployers understand and are performing their responsibility in administering the various benefits
• Inform all members of their benefit entitlements and ensure that their needs concerning benefit information have been satisfied
• Oversee Managements' performance and effectiveness
• Practice good governance

ABOUT THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATION OFFICER

The Chief Administration Officer (CAO) provides leadership and direction to the organization and the Senior Management Team. This role involves communicating the Board of Directors' vision, overseeing the development of operational and strategic goals, and ensuring the implementation of the Board of Directors' decisions, mission, and purpose. The CAO manages key relationships with external stakeholders, aligns organizational policies with the Board's goals, and recruits and retains qualified staff. Additionally, the CAO develops an integrated risk management framework to guide policy decision-making and is a member of the Investment Committee as required by legislation.

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITY

The CAO is accountable for the accurate and timely delivery of entitlements for a number of separate and diverse plans that include:

• Civil Service Superannuation Board Pension Plan
• MLA Pension Plan (new and old plan)
• Money Purchase Accounts Plan
• Public Service Group Insurance Plan (Group Insurance, Accidental Death & Disablement and Dependents Plans)
• Manitoba Hydro (Centra Gas Local 681, Union and New Salaried Centra Gas Pension Plans)
• Winnipeg Child and Family Services Pension Plan

The CAO is responsible for ensuring entitlements are delivered (where applicable) in accordance with:

• The Income Tax Act (Canada)
• The Pension Benefits Act (Manitoba)
• The Civil Service Superannuation Act ("Act")
• Public Servant's Group Insurance Act
• Governing legislation
• Board policies
• Other plan texts (Centra Gas, etc.)

The CAO provides supervision to four (4) full time members of the Senior Management Team. The day-to-day management and delivery of pension and insurance benefits is accomplished by a dedicated and diverse team consisting of approximately 50 staff members.

KEY LEADERSHIP ACCOUNTABILITIES

Leadership:

• Provides effective support to the Board which includes providing reasonable advice.
• Presents well researched and thought-out interpretations and recommendations relating to policy, legislation, and plans to a diverse range of Board members, Investment Committee members, stakeholders, government officials, unions and other partners.
• Provides leadership and direction to the organization and the Senior Management Team by communicating the goals, decisions, and mission of the Board.
• Oversees performance management of the Senior Management Team.
• Leads and facilitates monthly Senior Management Team meetings.
• Reviews staffing and succession planning within the organization.

Operational Goal Setting:

• Sets operational goals annually with the Senior Management Team and presents to the Board of Directors for approval.
• Manages operational goals by guiding the Senior Management Team and reports progress to the Board of Directors on a regular basis.
• Identifies and pursues opportunities for organizational efficiencies.
• Provides feedback on project development and status to the Senior Management Team and Board of Directors.
• Ensures proposed changes to operational goals are researched and recommended as appropriate.

Stakeholder Relationship Management:

• Manages relationships on behalf of CSSB with the Board, stakeholders, government, and the Minister responsible for the Act.
• Maintains effective relationships and acts as an advisor to the various employee unions, government and other stakeholder groups.
• Operates as a Liaison with various Employee Advisory Committees.
• Addresses and resolves complaints, issues or concerns raised by government, stakeholders or members.
• Serves as a liaison between the Board and Minister responsible for the Act.
• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders in development of policy and legislation.
• Presents best policy recommendations and alternatives and identifies related risks that may exist to the Board and its sub-committees for review and approval
• Ensures implementation of approved policies and amendments.
• Builds relationships with other Pension Plan administrators, participating in conferences and knowledge sharing.
• Ensures timely delivery of accurate benefits entitlements to stakeholders.
• Works with plan actuaries and provides feedback or interpretation of the actuary's discoveries or advice to the Board.

Plan Management:

• Plans for effective, efficient and timely administration and delivery of programs through Plan definition, development and implementation in accordance with approved policies and guidelines.
• Directs strategic analysis and monitors benefits administration, identifying deficiencies and ensuring corrective actions are taken on a timely basis.
• Ensures compliance with legislation, in addition to actuarial and financial principles.
• Communicates and implements management control systems while providing effective administration and program delivery.
• Leads Reciprocal Agreement negotiations through the development, implementation and monitoring of portability issues and programs, developing and recommending a statutory and regulatory framework.
• Liaises with the Board's consulting actuary regarding matters of Plan design, changes, funding, actuarial valuations, etc.
• Participates in annual negotiations with insurance carriers to ensure cost-effective management of the insurance fund.
• Provides sound recommendations to policy decision-makers.
• Ensures pension administrative system maintenance which provides accurate and timely data for analysis and program delivery.
• Identifies matters that may negatively affect a plan to the Board and Investment Committee.

Administrative and Financial:

• Responsible for setting and managing the overall budget of the Board.
• Provides and present an annual report to the Board of Directors and all other interested parties at Annual meeting.
• Administers other pension plans outside of scope of main civil service plan and based contractual agreements, at discretion of the board.
• Provides for the ongoing educational development of Board staff to ensure the Board meets the industry's ever-changing needs.
• Manages communications with legal counsel, seeking legal advice when required.
• Attends all finance and audit meetings. Support management with audit processes and obligations.
• Oversees annual budget preparation and service delivery as it relates to delivery of entitlements, contribution/premium collections, and precise and timely entitlement calculations.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate should hold a university degree in business, accounting, actuarial sciences, or in a related field. The role requires ten (10) years of progressive senior leadership experience. The ideal candidate should possess pension-related experience, preferably within the defined benefit sector. Familiarity with member pension administration systems, effective communication strategies, and a solid understanding of pension concepts, actuarial principles, financial statements, and pension legislation are essential. Some working knowledge of investment management would be an asset. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Candidates must demonstrate integrity by making principle-centered decisions, delivering on promises, and handling confidential information with discretion. They should exhibit sincerity, honesty, respect, empathy, and maintain composure in difficult situations. Candidates must clearly articulate a practical vision for the future, inspire teamwork, and promote cooperation and collaboration within and outside the organization. They should identify critical issues, make tough decisions, encourage creative thinking, embrace change, and lead by example to drive continuous improvement and innovation. Excellent judgment involves efficiently assessing situations, knowing when to seek input, drawing sound conclusions, recommending policy changes, and taking appropriate risks. Evaluating options thoroughly and making informed decisions that balance risk and reward is essential. Strategic relationship building and collaboration are vital. Candidates must be able to balance stakeholders' needs, build respectful relationships, share knowledge, seek collaboration opportunities, communicate effectively, and leverage networks to promote dialogue and partnerships.

If you wish to explore this opportunity, please contact or submit your resume to:

LILLIAN WONG, Director, Executive Search and Recruitment

MNP LLP

Email:

For the full profile visit Civil Services Superannuation Board - Chief Administration Officer