Director of Retirement
About this role
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.
ABOUT YOU
As the Director of Retirement, you are a trusted and strategic leader who combines sound judgment, financial and regulatory acumen, and exceptional integrity to safeguard the long-term interests of members and beneficiaries. You build confidence through transparent communication, collaborative leadership, and a commitment to service, while navigating complex challenges, fostering high-performing teams, and driving continuous improvement in a dynamic and highly regulated environment.
What you will do:
- Provide visionary leadership for a complex public retirement system, balancing fiduciary responsibility, regulatory compliance, financial stewardship, and organizational effectiveness to protect and enhance the long-term interests of members and beneficiaries.
- Cultivate strong relationships with Board members, regulators, advisors, consultants, Authority leadership, and external partners, serving as a trusted advisor who can navigate complex issues, drive consensus, and effectively represent the organization in a highly visible and regulated environment.
- Champion a culture of service, transparency, and accountability by fostering meaningful member engagement, promoting clear and accessible communication, and ensuring stakeholders receive the guidance, support, and education needed to make informed retirement and financial decisions.
- Lead with integrity, strategic foresight, and a commitment to continuous improvement by developing high-performing teams, strengthening governance and operational practices, managing risk, and identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency, innovation, and long-term organizational sustainability.
What you offer:
- Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree and/or Certified Employee Benefits Specialist certification preferred.
- Ten (10) years of experience in benefit plan administration or related matters required; five (5) 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.
- 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 as well as the institutional investment industry.
*Click here for detailed job description
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
*Click here for information on our comprehensive compensation and benefits package.
Company at a glance
At the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), we connect Massachusetts and New England to the world—safely, securely, and efficiently. We are driving advancements in transportation, safety, customer service, environmental management and economic growth in the Commonwealth. We are committed to being good neighbors and strengthening community engagement, striving daily to be good stewards of the Commonwealth.
Massport operates Boston Logan International Airport, Worcester Regional Airport, Hanscom Field, Conley Container Terminal and Flynn Cruiseport Boston, and manages over 450 acres of maritime industrial and commercial mixed-use property along the Boston Waterfront. We generate over $20 billion in economic value annually and support more than 100,000 jobs. Our ambitious goal is to achieve Net Zero by 2031, coinciding with our 75th anniversary.
Our business is all about connecting. We support and take pride in the employees that make those connections possible each and every day.
Top Benefits
- Work/life balance
- Supportive and inclusive culture
- Opportunities for growth
- Safe, healthy, and secure work environment
- Comprehensive compensation and benefits package
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