Retirement Plan Design Consultant

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Retirement Plan Design Consultant

REMOTE • 401(k) and Pension

Where Plan Design Expertise Meets Purpose-Driven Impact

Use your retirement plan knowledge to help employees across the country build financial independence.

At Blue Ridge Associates, we don’t just administer retirement plans — we help people build lasting financial security. Through Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and 401(k) services, we empower employees across the country to take ownership of their financial futures. We’re proud to be one of the top retirement plan administration firms in the nation, serving a diverse range of companies that believe in sharing success with their people.

Whether remote or based in one of our seven offices across the country, our team members work together with a shared mission: to make it easy for plan sponsors and professionals to provide wealth-building benefits to business owners and their employees.

That’s Where You Come in as a Retirement Plan Design Consultant

As a Retirement Plan Design Consultant, you’ll be an ambassador of Blue Ridge team members to serve as a trusted advisor to Plan Sponsors, Financial Professionals, Recordkeepers, and internal teams. This role is ideal for a consultative retirement plan professional with deep qualified plan custom plan design expertise and strong ERISA knowledge. The ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and simply to various audiences is critical to success in this position.

Job Overview

The Retirement Plan Design Consultant will support the field wholesaling team and collaborate with our onboarding, document, administration and client experience teams. In addition to working with Blue Ridge team members, the Retirement Plan Design Consultant will also collaborate with our record-keeping partners and financial professional referral partners. You will impact the growth of our organization by helping clients evaluate and implement the most appropriate custom retirement plan solutions for their needs.

Your Responsibilities Include:

Plan Sponsor & Advisor Consulting

• Build and maintain strong relationships with Plan Sponsors, Financial Professionals, Recordkeepers, CPA’s, etc.
• Consult with Plan Sponsors and advisors on custom retirement plan design, administration, compliance, and operational issues.
• Review, interpret, and explain plan documents, amendments, notices, Summary Plan Descriptions, and IRS/DOL regulations.
• Analyze plan provisions, eligibility requirements, highly compensated/key employee status, and plan features.
• Participate in virtual (or in person) sales meetings, finalist presentations, and financial advisor meetings
• Identify and resolve plan compliance issues, including testing and correction matters.
• Understand and discuss:
• ADP/ACP testing
• Cross-testing and other profit-sharing allocation methods
• Cash balance and 401(k) plan design coordination

Onboarding & Relationship Management

• Work with our Onboarding team to facilitate obtaining required client data and follow-up on missing items.
• Send service agreements to trustees via DocuSign, monitor completion, and maintain organized client records.
• Communicate effectively across internal departments including Sales, Documents, Onboarding and Relationship Management Teams.

Industry & Product Expertise

• Stay current on industry trends, ERISA regulations, product developments, and competitive offerings.
• Maintain working knowledge of multiple recordkeeper and other platform solutions.
• Present competitive advantages professionally and consultatively.
• Contribute ideas to improve internal processes, workflows, and client experience.

Perform other tasks as assigned

What We’re Looking for in a Retirement Plan Design Consultant

We’re seeking professionals who bring technical knowledge, strong client service skills, and a commitment to continuous learning. You take pride in the details because you know your work has a lasting impact on people’s financial well-being.

Retirement Plan Design Consultant Requirements

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in the retirement plan industry, preferably in defined contribution administration and/or Third-Party Administration (TPA) consulting
• Strong experience working with:
• 401(k) and403(b) Plans
• Profit Sharing
• Cash Balance and Defined Benefit Plans
• PEPs, MEPs and/or Groups of Plans
• Proven ability to work directly with clients, advisors, and recordkeepers in a consultative capacity.
• Experience interpreting plan documents and applying ERISA, IRS, and DOL guidance.
• Prior experience with plan compliance testing, corrections, and plan design analysis.

Education & Credentials

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• ASPPA, NIPA, ERPA, or similar retirement plan credentials preferred (or willingness to obtain).

Skills and Competencies

• Strong consultative and relationship-management skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication.
• Ability to simplify complex retirement plan concepts for clients and advisors.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-motivated and capable of working independently while collaborating effectively with a team.
• Professional, positive, and client-focused demeanor.
• Must be able to provide and maintain a distraction-free work environment, a professional workspace, and reliable high-speed internet connection.

Preferred

• QKA, QKC, or other ASPPA credentials (or progress toward certification)
• Experience with FT William document software
• Experience working with various recordkeeping platforms

Why You’ll Love Working Here as a Retirement Plan Design Consultant

You’ll join a company that values hard work, supports each other, and believes in doing work that matters.

We offer:

• Competitive salary & comprehensive benefits (medical, dental, vision, life, disability)
• 401(k) with company match + HSA with company contribution
• Generous PTO for parental leave, vacation, and holiday time
• Support for certifications, association dues, and professional development
• A collaborative and inclusive company culture: happy hours, social events, employee-led committees, and volunteer opportunities

Join Us as We Build Wealth for Generations

Everything we do is driven by our vision. We see a future where more people achieve financial independence, enjoy meaningful retirement, and leave a legacy.

We live by our values every day:

• Precision – Accurate records, timely and error-free service
• Efficacy – Ensuring compliance and guiding clients toward retirement readiness
• Advocacy – Supporting regulatory changes that benefit employers and employees
• Collaboration – Trusted partners to clients, advisors, and teammates
• Excellence – Proactive, personalized, high-touch service in all we do

This is more than a job. It’s your opportunity to build a meaningful career while helping others build financial security for life.

Compensation

Blue Ridge is committed to equal pay and pay transparency. The anticipated hiring range for this position is $60,000 - $85,000 annually . Compensation may vary based on geographic location, relevant experience, education and training, key skills, internal equity, and business needs.

Apply now and make a career out of making a difference!

Equal Opportunity Employer

Must be authorized to work in the US