Senior Retirement Service Consultant

Position Summary

The ERISA Consultant provides retirement plan consulting and technical support to Ascensus clients, addressing a wide range of compliance, plan design, and operational issues. This role conducts technical research, drafts responses to client inquiries, and provides guidance on retirement plan features and functionality.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for protecting, securing, and properly handling all confidential data held by Ascensus to ensure against unauthorized access, improper transmission, and/or unapproved disclosure of information that could result in harm to Ascensus or our clients.
• Provide high-level consultative client service while communicating and coordinating with clients and partners to address issues, provide necessary research, and deliver creative solutions to clients.
• Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of retirement plans and the Ascensus business.
• Coach and mentor others in all aspects of retirement plan and client relations, factoring in the needs of the client and Ascensus to arrive at appropriate solutions.
• Successfully monitor and follow-up on assigned items; includes determining required action for resolution of client issues, documenting and implementing solutions as appropriate.
• Provide clients and advisors clear and concise communication regarding services, execution, and resolution throughout the service cycle.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with dedicated clients and financial professionals and provide updates on product and plan initiatives.
• Participate in the management of vendor relationships on behalf of clients and partners.
• Deliver client retention by anticipating client's needs, recommending changes or actions, in conjunction with the Relationship Manager.
• Achieve individual and team goals for service levels, growth, and retention for assigned book of business.
• Identify and document systematically "opportunity plans" working with Relationship Manager on a strategy to mitigate risk.
• Execute strategic plan to ensure retention and satisfaction of client and financial professional's book of business.
• Achieve service level goals, retention, and organic growth goals established for each financial partner by assessing opportunities in assigned book of business.
• Proactively communicate with the client and partners regarding all components of service delivery. Solicit and share feedback with appropriate internal resources.
• Manage day-to-day schedule for self and team according to client needs and needs of the business.
• Apply industry knowledge to all facets of retirement operations and service.
• Ensure that our commitments to our clients are met by proactively reviewing the status of assigned plans' periodic activity (compliance testing, 5500, quarterly statements, RMDs, etc.).
• Assess client objectives, needs, and behaviors to suggest plan, product, or functionality changes to improve results for our clients.
• Educate clients regarding plan features, product capabilities, or Ascensus functionality and process.
• Develop ideas for improvement and provide feedback/solutions to plan sponsor and financial professional to minimize risk and improve process.
• Support peers and Managers by handling escalated items/calls from clients. Responsible for oversight and resolution of the escalated item.
• Coach and mentor team members and provide feedback to the team manager for performance improvement purposes.
• Develop and maintain strong internal relationships across departments and locations.
• Act in the role as the subject matter expert on specific topics as needed. Responsible for developing materials, training, and assisting others across departments in these areas.
• Perform other duties and participate in or lead special projects as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 3-5 years direct client experience required, Retirement Services industry experience preferred.
• Certification or working towards certification (ASPPA, CEBS, etc.) in industry-related studies program preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. The ability to communicate effectively (clear, concise, and professionally) with all levels within the Ascensus organization, as well as with our client base.
• Excellent presentation skills, business etiquette, client service skills, and time management.
• Demonstrated professionalism in all aspects of the role.
• Experience with financial services systems (i.e. recordkeeping, trust, trading); and experience with plan recordkeeping and trust reconciliation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software applications, specifically Word and Excel required, Access and PowerPoint preferred.
• Excellent analytical and problem resolution skills.
• Comprehensive knowledge of retirement plans, ERISA, DOL, and IRS regulations, and plan documents (individually designed and prototype).
• Ability to work in a team environment to ensure common goal of providing exceptional client service.
• Act as a change agent to initiate and respond to change productively.
• Ability to work well under pressure with multiple priorities and deadlines in a demanding environment.
• Ability to make sound business judgments concerning issues which, if mishandled, have the potential to create substantial financial and client relations liabilities for the company.
• Ability to work extended hours to meet business needs as required.
• Quality focus with attention to detail.
• Ability to lead a team and/or project successfully.
• Ability to travel as needed.
• Strong project management skills.

Other Information

The national average salary range for this role is $60K-80K in base pay, exclusive of any bonuses and benefits. This base salary range represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position. Actual salary offered will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to location, experience, performance, and internal pay alignment. We do not anticipate that candidates hired will begin at the top of the range however, from time to time, it may occur on a case-by-case basis. Other rewards and benefits may include: 401(k) match, Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid-Time-Off, etc. For more information, please visit careers.ascensus.com/#Benefits.

Be aware of employment fraud. All email communications from Ascensus or its hiring managers originate from @ascensus.com or @futureplan.com email addresses. We will never ask you for payment or require you to purchase any equipment. If you are suspicious or unsure about the validity of a job posting, we strongly encourage you to apply directly through our website.

For all virtual remote positions, in order to ensure associates can effectively perform their job duties with no distractions, we require an uninterrupted virtual work space and there is also an expectation of family care being in place during business hours. Additionally, there is an internet work speed requirement of 25 MBps or better for individual use. If more than one person is utilizing the same internet connection in the same household or building, then a stronger connection is required. If you are unsure of your internet speed, please check with your service provider. Note: For call center roles specifically, it is a requirement to either hardwire your equipment directly to the internet router or ensure your workstation is in close proximity to the router. Please ensure that you are able to meet these expectations before applying.

Ascensus provides equal employment opportunities to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to ancestry, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and/or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, criminal conviction record or any other Protected Status.

Ascensus is the leading independent technology and service platform powering savings plans across America, providing products and expertise that help nearly 16 million people save for a better today and tomorrow.