Senior Benefits Consultant

Northern Trust

. Serve as a senior retirement plan subject matter expert and trusted advisor to Benefits colleagues, leadership, and cross-functional partners .

Posted 11/12/2026full-timeChicago • Illinois • United StatesSenior💰 $95,600 - $162,400 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive expertise in retirement plan administration, compliance, and governance, with a strong focus on risk management and operational effectiveness. Proven ability to manage complex retirement programs and vendor relationships while executing regulatory requirements and financial analyses.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Retirement Plan Expertise401(k) AdministrationERISA ComplianceVendor ManagementFinancial Analysis

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

401(k)Safe Harbor PlansNondiscrimination TestingSOX ComplianceForm 5500 FilingsContribution CorrectionsPlan AdministrationGovernanceRisk MitigationOperational Improvements

Soft Skills

Analytical SkillsCommunication SkillsProject ManagementProblem-Solving SkillsEmployee Service Focus

Industry Keywords

Retirement ProgramsCanadian Retirement ProgramsFinancial Well-Being ProgramsHSAFSABenefits ExperienceOperational EffectivenessRisk ManagementGovernanceCompliance

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as a senior retirement plan subject matter expert and trusted advisor to Benefits colleagues, leadership, and cross-functional partners
Own and execute key aspects of 401(k), including administration, governance, compliance, and vendor management
Own the Canada retirement program, including vendor relationships, regulatory requirements, operations, and issue resolution
Own, manage, and execute employee financial and risk benefits, including HSA, FSA, Life, Accident, and financial well-being programs
Execute complex regulatory and compliance activities, including nondiscrimination testing, SOX compliance, Form 5500 filings, contribution corrections, and plan requirements
Execute retirement initiatives, plan and fee analyses, operational improvements, and risk mitigation efforts
Help shape North America retirement programs, develop an integrated financial well-being strategy, and strengthen governance and compliance

Requirements

What you’ll need

10+ years of benefits experience, with significant retirement plan expertise
Strong working knowledge of 401(k), Safe Harbor and non-safe harbor plans
Knowledge of Canadian retirement programs preferred but not required
Demonstrated experience with ERISA/compliance, SOX compliance, governance, plan administration, vendor management, and financial analysis
Ability to independently manage complex, high-risk, and highly visible work
Strong analytical, communication, project management, and problem-solving skills
Focus on risk management, controls, operational effectiveness, and employee service
Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future
Must not require employment-based visa sponsorship