Manager, Complex Transactions
Top Benefits
About the role
OUR COMPANY BACKGROUND & CULTURE UPP is the first pension plan of its kind in Ontario’s university sector, proudly serving over 46,000 members across six universities and nineteen sector organizations. Our purpose is to bring greater retirement peace of mind to the university sector by investing with integrity and serving members with care. As a sector-wide plan designed for growth, our doors are open to all Ontario universities. UPP is recognized as one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers for 2026. Together, we’re a team of progressive thinkers and agile doers operating within a fast-paced culture of collaboration and respect. We believe in bringing smart and capable people together to create, solve, and grow with a clear shared vision and values of integrity, inclusivity, ingenuity, and impact. Our culture is intentionally welcoming and purposefully rooted in equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation (EDI&R). We believe diverse teams, perspectives, and lived experiences contribute to better decisions and a better workplace. As a pension plan, UPP approaches investing through a long-term lens to generate and safeguard value. Our commitment to investing responsibly accounts for material risks that impact our investment portfolio to generate sufficient risk-adjusted returns to meet the pension needs of our members. Join us in building a bright future for our members, our organization, and each other. THE ROLE Reporting to the Director, Complex Transactions, the Manager, Complex Transactions is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day execution, adjudication, and quality assurance of complex, non-standard, and exception-based pension transactions. This role serves as a senior subject matter expert and operational lead for high-risk, exception-based, and judgment-intensive pension events. The Manager ensures complex transactions are administered accurately, consistently, and in compliance with plan provisions, pension legislation, regulatory requirements, and internal control standards. Working closely with Actuarial, Legal, Pension Data, Product, Communications, Technology, and other stakeholders, the Manager, Complex Transactions coordinates the resolution of complex cases, supports operational decision-making, and ensures appropriate controls, documentation, and auditability are maintained. The role also identifies opportunities to strengthen processes, reduce operational risk, improve member outcomes, and support the ongoing modernization of complex transaction administration. This role is based in downtown Toronto in a hybrid work environment, allowing employees the flexibility to work remotely and in-office (minimum two days per week in-office). This posting is for an existing vacancy. SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES The Manager, Complex Transactions will have responsibility for but not limited to the following: Oversees the administration and adjudication of complex, non-standard, and exception-based pension transactions, ensuring outcomes are accurate, consistent, and compliant with plan provisions, pension legislation, regulatory requirements, and internal governance standards Serves as a senior subject matter expert for complex pension administration matters, providing guidance, analysis, and recommendations on high-risk, judgment-intensive cases and supporting the resolution of escalated member, employer, and operational issues Reviews and validates outputs produced by the team, ensuring alignment with plan provisions, legislative requirements, and internal standards Serves as a senior subject matter expert for complex pension administration matters, providing guidance, analysis, and recommendations on high-risk, judgment-intensive cases and supporting the resolution of escalated member, employer, and operational issues Ensures appropriate controls, validation, and reconciliation processes are consistently applied across all complex activities to maintain data integrity and financial accuracy Monitors operational performance, service levels, and emerging risks within the complex transaction portfolio, identifying trends, recommending corrective actions, and escalating issues as appropriate Identifies opportunities to improve complex transaction processes, controls, and workflows to enhance efficiency, scalability, and accuracy. Conducts research and due diligence on complex pension administration matters, contributing to the development of procedures, standards, and governance practices that support consistent and effective service delivery Supports the implementation of process improvements, automation opportunities, and system enhancements in collaboration with the Director and cross-functional teams. Leads, coaches, and develops a team of Specialists responsible for complex transaction processing, setting clear expectations for delivery, quality, and timelines. Builds team capability in pension calculations, complex transaction processes, and control execution, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE The successful candidate will have a solid understanding of defined benefit plans and demonstrated success in his or her role and be accustomed to working in a high energy, hands-on, dynamic organization, while dealing with multiple projects concurrently. Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience, with strong experience in pension administration. Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) or Pension Plan Administration Certificate (PPAC) an asset Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience with defined benefit plan administration required – experience must be hands on across multiple facets of pension operations Strong knowledge of the fundamentals of defined benefit plan design Demonstrated leadership, training, and mentorship of junior/new team members Exceptional client service with strong professional acumen Strong analytical, attention to detail and problem-solving skills Professional, client-focused approach to colleagues and assignments Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things Strong verbal and written communication skills Ability to organize, set priorities, work independently and complete multiple projects within established deadlines ATTRIBUTES Strong client service disposition Self-motivated, flexible, and adaptable to changing priorities and new challenges Logical and detail oriented Strong commitment to innovation and continuous improvement Pro-active problem solver Ownership mindset Commitment to excellence Proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships Excellent judgment and clear and precise communication skills – written, verbal, listening and presentation, including a high degree of diplomacy and confidentiality with the ability to adapt communication style to the audience EXPECTED COMPENSATION The expected compensation for this role is an annualized base salary in the range of $85,600 to $135,600. This range reflects the expected range for new hire base salaries and is subject to change and may be modified in the future. You may also be eligible for a variable incentive depending on organizational, divisional and personal performance. The final total compensation offered will vary depending on your skills, experience and other factors. LIFE AT UPP Do work that matters. We are duty-bound to serve our members’ interests, and it’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly. That’s why we’ve ingrained sustainability in our work from day one—to ensure our members have a resilient future to retire into, both today and for generations to come. Stronger together. Collaboration is how UPP was born, and it’s how we work with each other and our partners day in, day out. No one at UPP is just a number (even if they are excellent at math) and every win is a shared win. Grow every day. You’ll have the opportunity to work on unique, once-in-a-career projects that maximize your skill set and probably teach you some new ones—at any stage in your career. Prioritize wellness. At UPP, wellness takes many forms. Ultimately, it’s about ensuring our people are cared for in the ways that matter to them. Check out some highlights of our inclusive employee-focused benefits program including: Defined benefit pension plan Flexible hybrid work model Paid time off – vacations, personal days and wellness days Work remotely up to eight weeks/year Comprehensive group benefits including medical, dental, vision, etc. Extended paramedical and mental health service coverage Health care and lifestyle spending accounts Fertility treatments, paid parental leave, and gender affirmation coverage Education Assistance program This posting will remain open for a minimum of seven (7) days and will remain open until a sufficient number of qualified applications are received or finalist candidates have been identified. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools may be used to support certain stages of the recruitment process, including sourcing, screening, and assessment. All hiring decisions involve human review and intervention by UPP employees. UPP enthusiastically welcomes applications from all qualified applicants and especially invites people with lived experience as an Indigenous person, a person with a disability or as a member of another Human Rights Code protected group that faces barriers to employment to apply. Our goal is to create a barrier-free experience for every candidate throughout the recruitment process. UPP respects your privacy. For information on how UPP handles the personal information you provide during the application process, please see our Job Applicant Privacy Statement.
Similar Jobs
Manager, Complex Transactions
Top Benefits
About the role
OUR COMPANY BACKGROUND & CULTURE UPP is the first pension plan of its kind in Ontario’s university sector, proudly serving over 46,000 members across six universities and nineteen sector organizations. Our purpose is to bring greater retirement peace of mind to the university sector by investing with integrity and serving members with care. As a sector-wide plan designed for growth, our doors are open to all Ontario universities. UPP is recognized as one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers for 2026. Together, we’re a team of progressive thinkers and agile doers operating within a fast-paced culture of collaboration and respect. We believe in bringing smart and capable people together to create, solve, and grow with a clear shared vision and values of integrity, inclusivity, ingenuity, and impact. Our culture is intentionally welcoming and purposefully rooted in equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation (EDI&R). We believe diverse teams, perspectives, and lived experiences contribute to better decisions and a better workplace. As a pension plan, UPP approaches investing through a long-term lens to generate and safeguard value. Our commitment to investing responsibly accounts for material risks that impact our investment portfolio to generate sufficient risk-adjusted returns to meet the pension needs of our members. Join us in building a bright future for our members, our organization, and each other. THE ROLE Reporting to the Director, Complex Transactions, the Manager, Complex Transactions is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day execution, adjudication, and quality assurance of complex, non-standard, and exception-based pension transactions. This role serves as a senior subject matter expert and operational lead for high-risk, exception-based, and judgment-intensive pension events. The Manager ensures complex transactions are administered accurately, consistently, and in compliance with plan provisions, pension legislation, regulatory requirements, and internal control standards. Working closely with Actuarial, Legal, Pension Data, Product, Communications, Technology, and other stakeholders, the Manager, Complex Transactions coordinates the resolution of complex cases, supports operational decision-making, and ensures appropriate controls, documentation, and auditability are maintained. The role also identifies opportunities to strengthen processes, reduce operational risk, improve member outcomes, and support the ongoing modernization of complex transaction administration. This role is based in downtown Toronto in a hybrid work environment, allowing employees the flexibility to work remotely and in-office (minimum two days per week in-office). This posting is for an existing vacancy. SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES The Manager, Complex Transactions will have responsibility for but not limited to the following: Oversees the administration and adjudication of complex, non-standard, and exception-based pension transactions, ensuring outcomes are accurate, consistent, and compliant with plan provisions, pension legislation, regulatory requirements, and internal governance standards Serves as a senior subject matter expert for complex pension administration matters, providing guidance, analysis, and recommendations on high-risk, judgment-intensive cases and supporting the resolution of escalated member, employer, and operational issues Reviews and validates outputs produced by the team, ensuring alignment with plan provisions, legislative requirements, and internal standards Serves as a senior subject matter expert for complex pension administration matters, providing guidance, analysis, and recommendations on high-risk, judgment-intensive cases and supporting the resolution of escalated member, employer, and operational issues Ensures appropriate controls, validation, and reconciliation processes are consistently applied across all complex activities to maintain data integrity and financial accuracy Monitors operational performance, service levels, and emerging risks within the complex transaction portfolio, identifying trends, recommending corrective actions, and escalating issues as appropriate Identifies opportunities to improve complex transaction processes, controls, and workflows to enhance efficiency, scalability, and accuracy. Conducts research and due diligence on complex pension administration matters, contributing to the development of procedures, standards, and governance practices that support consistent and effective service delivery Supports the implementation of process improvements, automation opportunities, and system enhancements in collaboration with the Director and cross-functional teams. Leads, coaches, and develops a team of Specialists responsible for complex transaction processing, setting clear expectations for delivery, quality, and timelines. Builds team capability in pension calculations, complex transaction processes, and control execution, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE The successful candidate will have a solid understanding of defined benefit plans and demonstrated success in his or her role and be accustomed to working in a high energy, hands-on, dynamic organization, while dealing with multiple projects concurrently. Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience, with strong experience in pension administration. Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) or Pension Plan Administration Certificate (PPAC) an asset Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience with defined benefit plan administration required – experience must be hands on across multiple facets of pension operations Strong knowledge of the fundamentals of defined benefit plan design Demonstrated leadership, training, and mentorship of junior/new team members Exceptional client service with strong professional acumen Strong analytical, attention to detail and problem-solving skills Professional, client-focused approach to colleagues and assignments Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things Strong verbal and written communication skills Ability to organize, set priorities, work independently and complete multiple projects within established deadlines ATTRIBUTES Strong client service disposition Self-motivated, flexible, and adaptable to changing priorities and new challenges Logical and detail oriented Strong commitment to innovation and continuous improvement Pro-active problem solver Ownership mindset Commitment to excellence Proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships Excellent judgment and clear and precise communication skills – written, verbal, listening and presentation, including a high degree of diplomacy and confidentiality with the ability to adapt communication style to the audience EXPECTED COMPENSATION The expected compensation for this role is an annualized base salary in the range of $85,600 to $135,600. This range reflects the expected range for new hire base salaries and is subject to change and may be modified in the future. You may also be eligible for a variable incentive depending on organizational, divisional and personal performance. The final total compensation offered will vary depending on your skills, experience and other factors. LIFE AT UPP Do work that matters. We are duty-bound to serve our members’ interests, and it’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly. That’s why we’ve ingrained sustainability in our work from day one—to ensure our members have a resilient future to retire into, both today and for generations to come. Stronger together. Collaboration is how UPP was born, and it’s how we work with each other and our partners day in, day out. No one at UPP is just a number (even if they are excellent at math) and every win is a shared win. Grow every day. You’ll have the opportunity to work on unique, once-in-a-career projects that maximize your skill set and probably teach you some new ones—at any stage in your career. Prioritize wellness. At UPP, wellness takes many forms. Ultimately, it’s about ensuring our people are cared for in the ways that matter to them. Check out some highlights of our inclusive employee-focused benefits program including: Defined benefit pension plan Flexible hybrid work model Paid time off – vacations, personal days and wellness days Work remotely up to eight weeks/year Comprehensive group benefits including medical, dental, vision, etc. Extended paramedical and mental health service coverage Health care and lifestyle spending accounts Fertility treatments, paid parental leave, and gender affirmation coverage Education Assistance program This posting will remain open for a minimum of seven (7) days and will remain open until a sufficient number of qualified applications are received or finalist candidates have been identified. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools may be used to support certain stages of the recruitment process, including sourcing, screening, and assessment. All hiring decisions involve human review and intervention by UPP employees. UPP enthusiastically welcomes applications from all qualified applicants and especially invites people with lived experience as an Indigenous person, a person with a disability or as a member of another Human Rights Code protected group that faces barriers to employment to apply. Our goal is to create a barrier-free experience for every candidate throughout the recruitment process. UPP respects your privacy. For information on how UPP handles the personal information you provide during the application process, please see our Job Applicant Privacy Statement.