Senior Retirement Manager

Senior Retirement Manager

San Francisco, Palo Alto, Seattle, Denver, or Los Angeles (Hybrid – 3 days onsite / 2 days remote)

A leading global law firm is seeking a Senior Retirement Manager to lead the strategy, administration, and continuous enhancement of its retirement programs, including 401(k), Defined Benefit, Cash Balance, and Partner-Owned Life Insurance (POLI) plans.

This highly visible leadership role serves as the firm's retirement subject matter expert and partners closely with HR Leadership, Finance, Legal, ERISA Counsel, Retirement Committee members, and external vendors to ensure operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and an exceptional participant experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the administration and strategic direction of the firm's retirement programs, including Defined Contribution (DC), Defined Benefit (DB), Cash Balance, and POLI plans.
• Manage and develop a team of retirement professionals, fostering a high-performing and service-oriented environment.
• Oversee retirement plan compliance, audits, government filings (Form 5500, 1099, PBGC), and actuarial coordination.
• Partner with internal stakeholders and external advisors to evaluate plan design, implement enhancements, and ensure adherence to ERISA and applicable regulations.
• Manage relationships with recordkeepers, plan administrators, consultants, and vendors, including contract negotiations and performance oversight.
• Administer Retirement Committee activities and prepare reporting and recommendations for leadership.
• Develop retirement analytics, dashboards, and reporting to support strategic decision-making and plan governance.
• Collaborate with HRIS, Payroll, Finance, and Legal teams to ensure accurate plan administration and data integrity.
• Drive process improvements, benchmarking initiatives, and participant communication strategies.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of retirement plan administration experience with deep expertise in 401(k), Cash Balance, and Defined Benefit plans.
• 3+ years of people management experience.
• Strong knowledge of ERISA, PBGC requirements, retirement plan compliance, audits, and government filings.
• Experience managing retirement plan vendors, consultants, and recordkeepers.
• Background within a law firm, professional services, consulting, or similarly complex environment strongly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or a related field required.
• Professional certifications such as QKA, QPA, CRPS, CEBS, or equivalent preferred.
• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency with HRIS and benefits administration systems.
• Excellent analytical, project management, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Strategic leadership role with significant visibility across the firm.
• Opportunity to oversee complex retirement and executive benefit programs.
• Direct partnership with firm leadership, Finance, Legal, and Retirement Committee members.
• Collaborative and sophisticated professional services environment.
• Competitive compensation, benefits, and long-term growth opportunities.