Position Summary The Senior Retirement Plan Specialist (CSM) serves as the primary relationship manager for employer-sponsored 401(k) plans, overseeing daily administration and ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and full compliance with ERISA and related regulations. This role guides clients through plan implementation, onboarding, and training, while providing ongoing support for plan design, eligibility, contributions, distributions, and annual compliance testing such as ADP/ACP and top-heavy reviews. The CSM also facilitates Form 5500 preparation, audit coordination, and plan amendments, proactively identifying and resolving issues to maintain fiduciary standards. The CSM plays a critical role in delivering a seamless and compliant retirement plan experience while fostering strong client relationships.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities - Serve as the primary relationship manager for assigned book of business.
- Oversee day-to-day administration and monitoring of contribution submissions, and contribution rate changes.
- Provide proactive and responsive support to employers, addressing questions and resolving issues related to plan operations, and any required corrections.
- Assist through the plan onboarding process, including the distribution of initial participant notices.
- Conduct employer training sessions to ensure understanding of plan responsibilities, processes and deadlines.
- Monitor and manage key compliance milestones including eligibility tracking, nondiscrimination testing (e.g., ADP/ACP, top-heavy, coverage), timely Form 5500 preparation, and coordination of plan audits to ensure adherence to ERISA and IRS regulations.
- Provide guidance to plan sponsors on fiduciary responsibilities, including interpretation of plan provisions, participant disclosures, and regulatory updates.
- Identify and assist with resolution of operational errors and compliance failures, including correction methods under IRS and DOL guidelines (e.g., EPCRS, VFCP).
- Collaborate with internal teams and external vendors (e.g., recordkeepers, TPAs, auditors, legal counsel) to ensure accurate plan administration, timely issue resolution, and seamless service delivery.
- Review and interpret plan documents to guide clients in accordance with plan provisions and regulatory requirements.
- Participating in team meetings, training, and ongoing professional development related to retirement plan administration
- Collaborate closely with Client Service Associate(s) to ensure task and responsibilities are completed accurately and on time for assigned booked of business.
- Complete projects as assigned by supervisor.
Marginal Functions - Support team initiatives and project-based work as required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities - Strong customer service skills, with a professional and solution-oriented approach
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- High attention to detail
- Organizational and time management skills
- Problem solving skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel, Word, and Outlook
- Team player mentality, with a collaborative and adaptable approach to supporting broader service goals.
Required Education & Experience - Credential such as ASPPA or NIPA preferred; or willingness to earn one within 12 months.
Physical, Mental, & Communication Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.
- Frequently required to sit; occasionally required to stand and walk.
- Specific vision abilities required include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.
- Frequently required to talk and hear.
- Moderate concentration/intensity, which includes prolonged mental effort.
- Average memory, taking into consideration the amount and type of information.
- Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Environmental Conditions Indoor, office environment. May occasionally have moderate noise level from printers, or co-workers.
Disclaimer This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee filling this position. Employee will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by management. Management has the right to add to, revise, or delete information in this job description. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship.
This position is eligible for the following benefits: - Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Retirement Plan: 401(k) with company match
- Paid Time Off: PTO, Holidays, Parental leave and Sick Leave provided as required by applicable state law
- Other Benefits: Life insurance, short term disability, long term disability, employee assistance program (EAP), flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), Identity theft protection, critical illness, accident, cancer, hospital protection, legal and pet insurance.
