ESOP New Business Consultant I

About the role

The ESOP New Business Consultant I plays a crucial part in the New Business Team, focusing on the onboarding and implementation of new ESOP plans and takeovers from previous service providers. This role ensures a seamless transition from initial client engagement through full system setup, maintaining accuracy, timeliness, and a positive client experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage the onboarding process from initial welcome call with the plan sponsor through completion of setup of the plan in our ESOP recordkeeping system.
• Ensure a smooth and timely setup process for both new ESOP plans and takeovers of existing plans from other service providers.
• Coordinate with Plan Sponsors and prior providers to collect necessary plan records and legal documentation and attend ongoing status calls as needed.
• Reconcile asset records to recordkeeping reports and the plan's annual Form 5500, and establish plan specifications and participant data within the recordkeeping system.
• Follow up with prior service providers to obtain missing details and demonstrate the ability to prepare calculations of required plan records when prior providers are unable to supply them.
• Review, validate, and maintain accurate onboarding documentation and participant data.
• Utilize advanced Excel functions to organize, analyze, and reconcile data.
• Partner cross-functionally with internal teams to ensure timely completion of onboarding tasks.
• Track onboarding progress and proactively identify and resolve discrepancies or issues.
• Communicate professionally with clients, stakeholders, and internal partners regarding onboarding timelines and requirements.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and regulatory standards.
• Maintain detailed records and provide status updates as needed.
• Adapt quickly to changing priorities, processes, and client needs in an agile work environment.
• Identify opportunities to improve onboarding workflows and operational efficiency.

Requirements

• Demonstrated hands-on experience working with ESOP plan administration and onboarding, including interpreting plan documents, amendments, and eligibility provisions.
• Pristine ability to manage full-cycle implementations or plan takeovers, including coordinating data collection, tracking deliverables, and meeting defined timelines.
• Strong working knowledge of Form 5500 reporting, plan reconciliation, and participant-level data validation.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the ability to: Perform data reconciliations across multiple sources, Utilize formulas (e.g., VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH), pivot tables, and basic data analysis, Identify and resolve data discrepancies independently.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze incomplete or inconsistent data and proactively follow up to resolve gaps.
• Strong project management capability, including: Managing multiple implementations simultaneously, Communicating status updates to stakeholders, Escalating risks or delays proactively.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with minimal supervision.
• Strong client-facing communication skills with the ability to explain technical ESOP concepts clearly and professionally.
• High level of attention to detail, particularly in data accuracy and compliance-driven work.

Skills / Abilities

• Hands-on experience working with ESOP plan administration and onboarding, including interpreting plan documents, amendments, and eligibility provisions.
• Proven ability to manage full-cycle implementations or plan takeovers, including coordinating data collection, tracking deliverables, and meeting defined timelines.
• Strong working knowledge of Form 5500 reporting, plan reconciliation, and participant-level data validation.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the ability to: Perform data reconciliations across multiple sources, Utilize formulas (e.g., VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH), pivot tables, and basic data analysis, Identify and resolve data discrepancies independently.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze incomplete or inconsistent data and proactively follow up to resolve gaps.
• Strong project management capability, including: Managing multiple implementations simultaneously, Communicating status updates to stakeholders, Escalating risks or delays proactively.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with minimal supervision.
• Strong client-facing communication skills with the ability to explain technical ESOP concepts clearly and professionally.
• High level of attention to detail, particularly in data accuracy and compliance-driven work.

Core Competencies

• Attention to Detail
• Analytical Thinking
• Excel & Data Reconciliation
• Implementation & Project Ownership
• Problem-Solving
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Client Service Orientation

Education & Experience

• 1-2 years of direct ESOP experience with hands-on responsibility in plan administration, onboarding, or implementation functions.
• Experience must include at least one of the following: Leading or supporting ESOP plan takeovers or new plan implementations, Performing plan-level reconciliations (e.g., trust vs recordkeeping vs Form 5500), Managing participant data setup and validation.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience required.
• ASPPA credential (e.g., QKA, QPA) is strongly preferred.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

You’ll join a company that works hard and supports one another — while doing work that truly matters. We Offer Remote-first work culture with in-office options (VA, MD, OH, CA, MN), Competitive salary & comprehensive benefits (medical, dental, vision, life, disability), 401(k) with company match + HSA with contribution, Generous PTO for parental leave, vacation and holiday time, Support for certifications, association dues, and professional growth, Company culture built on community: happy hours, social events, committee opportunities, and volunteer opportunities to make a difference, Join Us as We Build Wealth for Generations

Compensation

Blue Ridge is committed to equal pay and pay transparency. The anticipated hiring range for this position is $60,000–$70,000 annually. Compensation may vary based on geographic location, relevant experience, education and training, key skills, internal equity, and business needs. The full salary range for this role is $60,000–$105,000 annually.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Must be authorized to work in the US.

Salary Description

$60,000 – $70,000