Cost Modeling Subject Matter Expert

Cost Modeling Subject Matter Expert

The Position:

We are seeking motivated, detail-oriented professionals with experience in financial analysis, cost modeling, defined contribution retirement plans, and recordkeeping services to support the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board’s modernization and recompete of its recordkeeping services. The Cost Modeling Subject Matter Expert will provide specialized expertise in evaluating transition, transformation, and ongoing operational costs; conducting industry research and benchmarking; and developing comprehensive cost models to support acquisition planning. This position requires strong analytical and communication skills, as well as the ability to translate complex financial and operational information into clear, actionable recommendations. A successful candidate will collaborate with agency leaders, industry experts, and cross-functional teams to support a complex, long-term acquisition serving the nation’s largest defined contribution retirement plan. Responsibilities for the role will include:

• Develop comprehensive cost models for recordkeeping service transition, transformation, and ongoing operations.
• Conduct detailed cost and pricing analyses to support acquisition planning and evaluation of future state recordkeeping strategies.
• Estimate total cost of ownership from initial transition activities through implementation, ongoing operations, and benefits realization.
• Research and benchmark recordkeeping costs, pricing structures, and cost efficiencies across large defined contribution plans and comparable financial institutions.
• Evaluate alternative sourcing and service delivery approaches based on cost, performance, risk, and expected benefits.
• Analyze historical and current market data to determine whether proposed pricing is consistent with prevailing market conditions.
• Identify major cost drivers, assumptions, dependencies, risks, and opportunities for improving operational efficiency.
• Align cost models with applicable federal requirements and commercial defined contribution and recordkeeping practices.
• Translate complex financial analyses into clear findings, executive-level presentations, and actionable recommendations.
• Collaborate with agency stakeholders, acquisition specialists, technology experts, and retirement plan administration subject matter experts to ensure cost considerations are incorporated into acquisition and transition planning.

The Ideal Candidate: 

At Censeo, we are looking for unique candidates whose passion and enthusiasm will help shape Censeo’s client insights and workplace culture. Our staff have a wide range of backgrounds, areas of expertise, personality types, and favorite breakfast foods. Our client and cultural successes are rooted in our team’s innovation, creative problem solving, and collaboration. The unique perspective that you bring and the way you tackle problems are much more important to us than what’s printed on your diploma. Some of the core qualifications for the role include:

Required:

• Master’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Economics, or a related field.
• 10 years of professional experience in research, analysis, cost modeling, or a related field within the defined contribution or recordkeeping industry.
• Demonstrated experience developing comprehensive cost models for large, complex recordkeeping service transitions.
• Experience analyzing transition, transformation, and ongoing operational costs, including total cost of ownership from implementation through benefits realization.
• Demonstrated experience conducting cost and pricing analyses, benchmarking cost efficiencies, and evaluating whether pricing aligns with current market conditions.
• Experience advising plan administrators or comparable financial institutions on recordkeeping transitions, business process transformation, and cost management strategies.
• Ability to align federal standards, rules, and regulations with commercial defined contribution and recordkeeping standards and practices.
• Extensive knowledge of defined contribution plans, recordkeeping services, plan administration, and related cost drivers.
• Strong project management, analytical, written communication, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Preferred:

• Experience developing cost models for large public sector retirement plans or other large financial institutions.
• Experience evaluating alternative sourcing, transition, and managed service delivery models.
• Experience supporting complex federal acquisitions or procurements involving financial, retirement plan, or recordkeeping services.
• Demonstrated ability to present complex cost and pricing analyses to executive stakeholders.

The Company:

Censeo Consulting Group is a top Washington D.C. based management consulting firm dedicated to helping public sector and non-profit clients build operational excellence, deliver better outcomes, and lower cost. We take a personalized approach to strategic consulting to solve our clients’ most complex problems and build operational excellence that transforms their organizations, allowing them to better deliver on their public and social missions. 

At Censeo, our award-winning culture means you’ll join a tight-knit community of 80 brilliant and passionate colleagues. We are advocates for a better functioning public sector, and we’re also good friends who know the names of each other’s dogs. Our philosophy is horizontal, not hierarchical, and our open-door policy encourages a culture of entrepreneurship at all levels. We share successes, make decisions together, and foster an environment for those with passion and initiative to lead. Our colleagues bring their own unique personalities to work every day and use them to help shape our growing firm in ways that reach far beyond client projects. 

The Location :

Censeo Consulting Group is based in Washington D.C., a fantastic city for working professionals. We work in a hybrid setting with flexibility to work from home and work in our office conveniently located in the heart of downtown, just a few blocks away from the White House. And with many of our clients also based in D.C., we have the luxury of leaving for a meeting and being back in the office in time for post-work happy hours, team dinners, and game nights.

The Fine Print:

• The salary range for this role is $110,000 - $155,000 depending on experience
• Expected travel 0-10%; may increase based on business needs 
• This is an exempt, full-time position but open to part-time/contracted arrangements
• This role is subject to a hybrid work schedule in the Washington D.C. 
• Essential Physical Functions
  • Sitting: Particularly for sustained periods of time
  • Light Carrying: Physically transporting items weighing less than 15 pounds from one location to another

Censeo offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including paid vacation and sick leave, flexible and remote work opportunities, and tuition and training reimbursement. More information on our benefits and perks can be found at

Censeo is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal opportunity to all applicants and employees in full compliance with all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, gender, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other class protected by applicable state or federal law. 

Join Our Award-Winning Culture!
Our passion wins awards. But don’t just take it from us… 

• 2024 Vault #41 Consulting 50 North America
• 2024 Vault #7 Best Consulting Firm for Hours in the Office
• 2023 Vault #9 Best Consulting Firm for Work/Life Balance 
• 2023 Vault #23 Best Consulting Firm for Overall Diversity
• 2023 Management Consulted #3 Best Boutique Firms in Washington DC
• 2022 Vault #41 Best Overall Consulting Firm to Work For
• 2020 Vault #21 Best Boutique Consulting Firm 
• 2019 Ivy Exec #7 Best Boutique Consulting Firm 
• 2018 Consulting Magazine Best Small Firms to Work For  
• 2017 Vault #12 Best Boutique Consulting Firm 
• 2016 Forbes Best Management Consulting Firms in America 
• 2015 Washington Business Journal’s Philanthropy List 

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