Retirement Manager

Aspire Public Schools • Oakland, CA

1d

About The Position

The Retirement Manager supports Aspire Public Schools by managing retirement and health and welfare program reporting in accordance with the organization’s objectives, standards, and procedures. The role requires knowledge of qualified defined contribution retirement and savings plans and defined benefit pension plans, and includes 403(b) compliance reporting, CalPERS and CalSTRS reporting, and benefit plan reconciliations. The manager also resolves escalated retirement issues, supports governmental filings, assists the Controller and/or CFO with retirement solutions and strategies, and provides payroll support during peak processing periods.

Aspire NorCal is forming from the Bay Area and Central Valley regions and operates 22 schools serving approximately 10,000 scholars across Northern California. The organization is working to strengthen consistent and effective school support while remaining responsive to the communities and contexts of its schools. This role also serves as the Retirement Service Level Agreement between Aspire NorCal and Aspire LA and may be affected by changes to the anticipated multi-year service agreement. The work location and in-person expectations are being finalized.

This is a full-time, exempt position. The annual salary range is $96,024 to $123,267, commensurate with experience. Benefits include eligibility for Aspire health benefits; retirement through CalSTRS or CalPERS depending on credential requirements, with a 403(b) option; paid time off; and additional teammate benefits to be determined under an updated employee value proposition. Aspire is studying that value proposition, which could result in material changes in July 2027.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, or a closely related field, with benefits administration coursework or training.
• At least 5 years of analytical or human resources/benefits experience.
• At least 2 years of US pension plan administration experience in a large organization or through consulting.
• Direct experience with CalPERS and CalSTRS.
• Vendor management experience.
• Knowledge of third-party recordkeeping and benefits administration, including reporting.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving ability and balanced judgment; ability to work with large databases and provide meaningful analysis.
• Advanced Excel skills and ability to analyze benefits programs using metrics.
• Influence and partnering skills across HR, Finance, and Payroll.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.

Nice To Haves

• Retirement benefits administration experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain comprehensive knowledge of CalPERS and CalSTRS and their regulations, and a general understanding of defined benefit plan funding and reporting requirements.
• Administer day-to-day retirement and benefit plans, including contribution funding, data analysis, reporting, and research; maintain plan documents and summary plan descriptions.
• Administer qualified and non-qualified plans, including the defined benefit pension plan, 403(b) plan, defined contribution profit sharing plan, and other non-qualified plans, ensuring compliance with government regulations and plan provisions.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA and applicable federal, state, and local laws, and review and analyze changes to laws pertaining to retirement benefits.
• Review defined benefit calculations and payments for accuracy and timeliness.
• Oversee, manage, and complete retirement-related audits, including CalSTRS, CalPERS, and 403(b) audits, collaborating with Accounting, Finance, and HR.
• Serve as the Retirement Service Level Agreement between Aspire NorCal and Aspire LA.
• Advise on correct retirement plan placement (CalSTRS versus CalPERS) for roles based on job description evaluations.
• Oversee an internal Investment Committee and serve as liaison between the committee and the retirement plan administrator.
• Respond to retirement-related tickets, questions, and inquiries in a timely, customer-focused manner, and communicate with external plan administrators.
• Work with HR and vendors to ensure accurate, timely submission of Form 5500 and other regulatory filings.
• Provide payroll support during peak processing periods.
• Support Aspire Public Schools’ mission, vision, and values, including antiracism, and uphold confidentiality standards and the code of ethical behavior.
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

Benefits

• Eligible for Aspire health benefits.
• Retirement through CalSTRS or CalPERS, depending on the role’s credential requirements, with a 403(b) option.
• Paid time off.
• Additional teammate benefits to be determined in accordance with an updated employee value proposition.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager