www.apsc.ca OPPORTUNITY PROFILE Vice President, Pensions Services
About Alberta Pensions Services Corporation Alberta Pensions Services Corporation (APS) is one of Canada s largest public sector pension plan benefit administrators. APS has played a major role in pension benefit administration in Alberta for many years. APS was incorporated in 1995 under Alberta s Business Corporations Act with the Government of Alberta as the sole shareholder. APS administers seven public sector pension plans and two supplementary retirement plans: Local Authorities Pension Plan Public Service Pension Plan Management Employees Pension Plan Special Forces Pension Plan Supplementary Retirement Plan for Public Service Managers Public Service Management (Closed Membership) Pension Plan Provincial Judges and Masters in Chambers (Registered) Pension Plan Supplementary Retirement Plan for Provincial Judges and Masters in Chambers (Unregistered) Pension Plan Members of the Legislative Assembly Pension Plan (Closed 1989) The Corporation is committed to providing risk managed, efficient and effective services through continuous improvements, value for money, and effective communications. To accomplish this, APS works in cooperation with plan governors, employers and Alberta Treasury Board and Finance. THE OPPORTUNITY Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Vice President, Pensions Services has primary responsibility for the strategic direction of the Pension Services department of APS, including Client Services, Client Operations, Policy, Legal Services and Actuarial Services. The Vice President assists in long-range corporate strategic planning and budget planning, and advises the Executive Team on pension benefits, member services and plan actuarial issues. The Vice President, Pension Services has primary responsibility for the provision of accurate, timely and cost-effective benefit payments and services to plan members, and monitors and evaluates the delivery of pension information services for employers. Functioning as a strategic decision maker, the Vice President, Pension Services works with internal and external groups to develop policies and procedures to better service the plan members and employers. The Vice President, Pension Services also leads key projects on procedural and operational changes to ensure continuous improvement of services. Key accountabilities include the quality and accuracy of pension administration and directing required changes. The individual will oversee quality assurance reviews and develops/revises policies and procedures to ensure that the quality and efficiency standards for the department are delivered upon. KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP Develops vision with the Executive Leadership Team, and collaborates with the APS Board, Pension Boards, various stakeholders and employees of APS. Provides visionary leadership with a forward-thinking approach that recognizes the overall synergies and interdependencies between the different business functions. Participates in the ongoing strategic planning process as an integral member or the executive team to enable organizational efficiencies and growth.
Aligns the Client Services, Client Operations, Legal Services, Policy and Actuarial services departments with the business strategy and organizational goals. A forward thinker with the ability to translate both strategic objectives and operational plans into action and ability to provide risk mitigation. CLIENT SERVICES & CLIENT OPERATIONS Leads the identification, development, implementation and growth of client experience strategies. Monitors and seeks out ongoing feedback of stakeholders to identify opportunities for the development and growth of the client experience. Develop short and long-term plans and programs to achieve APS Business Priorities. Responsible for overall client experience, strategy, execution and cost saving initiatives. Oversees and provides direction for the development of service level standards. Oversees day-to-day operations and keeps the CEO apprised of significant events. Plans and directs all aspects of client policies, objectives and initiatives. Oversees and ensures adherence to the Client Services & Client Operations budget. Provides leadership to the Client Services & Client Operations management team, collaborates with management of other departments, and provides vision to enhance the client experience. Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders. Monitor changing social, demographic and political developments that may impact established processes. LEGAL AND POLICY Ensures the Plan Boards have clearly written briefings on the nature, cause and effect of proposed plan rule changes. Leads the preparation of required briefings for pension boards identifying the issue that has created the requirement for the plan rule change; identifies options, costs and timing associated with each option. Ensures, that APS staff have a common understanding of the intended results of any plan rule change, via the Communications Department. Ensures that APS staff, Alberta Treasury Board and Finance, and Pension Plan Board staff have been consulted to create a document that comprehensively describes the end results of proposed plan rule changes. Ensures legislative documents properly carry out the proposed plan rule change. Oversees the work of APS staff, Pension Board staff and Alberta Finance in drafting plan rule changes. Approves draft plan rule changes for Policy Services. Represents APS at a Provincial and/or National level in relation to Pension Plan structure, design and direction. This might include the Public Sector Pension Administrators Forum, the Joint Expert Panel on Pension Standards (JEPPS), Conference Board of Canada, or Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute. THE PERSON QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS A University degree in Commerce and/or related field. Demonstrated experience working in senior operational and business roles within the financial industry. Strong understanding of pensions and extensive experience in pension and/or benefits administration industry experience. Excellent people management and leadership skills, strong team player with effective coaching skills for building positive and productive work teams and optimizing performance. Strong change management skills.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS & ABILITIES Leadership Skills: Highly developed influencing, motivating and persuading skills; able to present sound well- reasoned arguments to convince others through personal credibility, integrity and professionalism. Can draw from a range of strategies to persuade people that results in agreement of behaviour change. Is appreciative, engaging, understanding and knowledgeable of issues and concerns. Identifies opportunities, inspires action and achieves results. Stakeholder Relationship Management: Proven ability and skills to develop, maintain and enhance both internal and external stakeholder relationships (across APS with staff, members, external organizations, agencies and statutory bodies); understands others needs and goals to meet the needs of clients. Shows sensitivity and tact, works co-operatively with others to be part of a team, as opposed to working separately or competitively. Change management skills: An innovator with a positive and results-driven orientated attitude, who takes initiative, anticipates and proactively solves problems, enjoys leading change, and takes informed risks in pursuit of service improvement. Identifies opportunities to make the organization more cost-effective, while maintaining or enhancing operations and customer service. Facilitates timely and constructive conflict and issue resolution, follows-up on unresolved issues effectively, and accepts advice and constructive counsel. A track record of delivering and enabling large-scale complex change programs. Maximizing Business Effectiveness: fosters and environment of sharing resources across departments, finds ways to celebrate great talent and excellent performance, goes the extra mile to ensure the job is well done, and looks for ways to deliver cost effective strategies. Well-developed project management skills, procurement and negotiation skills. Ability to stay in touch with business trends and best practices. Experience with automated processing systems would be an asset. Teamwork: Supports internal debate and encourages external unity. Challenges systems, processes and people that block collaboration; treats everyone as valued members of the team and seeks a wide range of views. Sets an example by sharing resources, knowledge, ideas and skills across the departments. Managing Performance: Enables staff to make their own decisions and deals with staff directly and sensitively. Sets challenging team and individual objectives, shares clear expectations about requires performance level, rewards success and addresses performance issues. Customer Service Focus: Possess the ability to put the needs of customers, both internal and external, at the forefront of business activity. Demonstrates an understanding of range of customers, their different characteristic and needs and actively seeks customer feedback. Communication: Ability to communicate effectively, tactfully, diplomatically and with clarity, both orally and in writing. Strong listening skills; interactive with external advisors and other key contacts across departments to create a collaborate environment. Exceptional interpersonal skills. Poised and practiced presentation skills are required for reporting and information delivery to stakeholders. Decision making ability: Assess complex/sensitive situations to determine their importance, urgency and risks. Ability to make controversial or difficult decisions that are in the best interests of the department and organization. Trust and Integrity: Has a high degree of integrity both personal and professional. Ability to promote and demonstrate corporate values. Ability to share and receive ideas, advice and criticism in a team environment which operates on a high level of trust. COMPENSATION A competitive compensation package will be provided including an attractive base salary and excellent benefits. Further details will be discussed in a personal interview.
FOR INFORMATION: PLEASE CONTACT ANURAG SHOURIE OR SAMANTHA CHIU Davies Park Suite 501 Fox One 10226 104 Street Edmonton, AB T5J 1B8 Phone: 780-420-9900 Email: Edmonton@daviespark.com