Defined Contribution Research and Consulting, Vice President

Callan•San Francisco, CA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Callan is seeking a Vice President to join its Defined Contribution Research and Consulting team. The role supports large, sophisticated U.S. plan sponsors with administrative and investment goals, drawing on expertise in defined contribution plan administration, fees, governance, and compliance. The position is based at a Callan office and follows a hybrid schedule, with approximately three days per week in the office. It reports to Callan’s senior vice president and defined contribution practice leader. The Vice President collaborates with clients, consultants, and colleagues across the firm on recordkeeper research, plan governance, fees, managed accounts, compliance consulting, and other defined contribution projects. The role also involves client-facing analysis and presentations, custom reporting, developing tools and approaches, mentoring junior analysts, and contributing to department improvements and research. Callan emphasizes intellectual curiosity, analytical ability, project and time management, and strong, trusted relationships. Callan is an employee-owned investment consulting firm founded in 1973, with roughly 200 employees and approximately $3 trillion in client assets. The firm offers long-term successful professionals an opportunity to become equity partners. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.; Callan cannot sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
At least 7 years of experience in the defined contribution industry, including experience evaluating recordkeepers.
Experience with defined contribution plan administration, fees, governance, and compliance-related issues.
Background knowledge of major defined contribution plan recordkeepers.
Strong experience in vendor administration, data analysis, and plan governance.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
Ability to build and maintain relationships internally and externally.
Advanced technical skills with Microsoft Office applications, including PowerPoint and Excel.
Analytical, resourceful, and self-motivated.
Responsive, detail-oriented, and accurate, with the ability to meet deadlines.
Ability to work independently in an unstructured environment while managing multiple deadlines.
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.; visa sponsorship is unavailable.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferably in finance, statistics, mathematics, or a related field.
Experience with 401(a), 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), 457(f), and nonqualified deferred compensation plans.
Genuine interest in investments, data analysis, and reporting.
Intellectual curiosity and strong project and time management skills.
Appreciation for building strong, trusted client and colleague relationships.

Responsibilities

Partner with colleagues to support multiple client projects.
Assist with recordkeeper RFPs, fee benchmarking studies, managed account reviews, governance support projects, and other projects.
Conduct due diligence reviews of recordkeepers and other defined contribution-related service providers.
Interact with clients and consultants to review recordkeeper services.
Analyze recordkeeper services, fees, and managed accounts.
Finalize and present quality deliverables to clients, respond to special requests, and assist with presentations and reports on changing laws and their impact on employers and defined contribution plans.
Contribute to developing tools and approaches related to compliance consulting, recordkeeper searches, fee benchmarking studies, and managed account reviews.
Generate custom reports using proprietary software programs.
Mentor junior analysts through training, work-product review, and ongoing interaction.
Provide input on department enhancements, including education and training, processes, workflow, and deliverables.
Participate in new technology testing.
Contribute to research projects and publish deliverables with other specialists and departments.