Sr. Retirement Plan Analyst
1 day ago
Fridley
Job Overview We are partnering with an organization to identify a Senior Retirement Plan Analyst to support the full lifecycle administration of ERISA-qualified retirement plans, along with ad hoc support for additional retirement and savings programs (e.g., nonqualified plans, legacy plans tied to acquisitions, employee stock programs, etc.). This role plays a critical part in ensuring operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and a positive participant experience across retirement offerings. The ideal candidate brings deep subject-matter expertise, strong analytical skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with both internal partners and external vendors. Key Responsibilities Retirement Plan Administration & Compliance • Provide end-to-end administration support for ERISA-qualified retirement plans, ensuring accurate execution of plan provisions and compliance with applicable regulations., • Maintain working knowledge of ERISA, IRS, and DOL requirements and proactively monitor regulatory changes that may impact plan operations., • Research, document, and correct transactional errors in accordance with regulatory correction programs and internal governance standards., • Serve as a primary point of contact for third-party administrators, recordkeepers, auditors, and other vendors, managing deliverables and holding partners accountable to service standards and timelines., • Partner closely with internal stakeholders across HR, Payroll, Finance, Legal, Accounting, and Audit to resolve issues, align processes, and support plan operations., • Lead the collection, validation, reconciliation, and analysis of employee data used for employer contributions, profit-sharing allocations, and compliance testing., • Review and interpret retirement plan reports to identify trends, discrepancies, and opportunities for process improvement or risk mitigation., • Support annual plan audits and Form 5500 preparation by coordinating data, responding to auditor requests, and ensuring accurate documentation. Participant Experience & Communications • Manage and resolve escalated inquiries from plan participants and internal partners, providing clear guidance on plan provisions and processes., • Collaborate with vendors and internal teams to develop and execute retirement plan communications, education materials, and onsite or virtual education sessions., • Ensure communications are accurate, compliant, and accessible to a diverse employee population. Process Improvement & Special Projects • Document retirement plan procedures and update process documentation as systems, vendors, or regulations change., • Participate in and support special projects, including system implementations or upgrades, vendor RFPs, plan design changes, M&A-related plan integrations, and missing participant searches., • Identify opportunities to streamline processes, improve data integrity, and enhance overall operational efficiency. Basic Qualifications • 2+ years of experience supporting ERISA-qualified retirement plans within a corporate, consulting, financial services, or benefits administration environment., • Working knowledge of ERISA regulations and retirement plan operations; professional certifications such as CEBS, QKA, QPA, ASPPA, or similar are strongly preferred., • Strong communication skills, with the ability to effectively partner with vendors, collaborate cross-functionally, and communicate complex concepts clearly to non-technical audiences., • Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and remain composed in fast-paced or high-pressure environments., • High attention to detail with a continuous improvement mindset., • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data analysis, reconciliation, and reporting (e.g., VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, pivot tables, macros).