Team Lead, MEP/PEP Administration, (PFS)

About Pension Financial Services, (PFS):

Based in Duluth, Georgia, Pension Financial Services (PFS) is a pension specialist founded by the principle that "interest today creates tomorrow." PFS provides the highest caliber actuarial and retirement planning services to over 800 clients across the Southeast. PFS is an operating partner of Strongpoint Partners, a leading tech-enabled financial services retirement platform backed by Shore Capital Partners (SCP).

Position Summary:

Pension Financial Services (PFS), a Strongpoint Partner, is seeking an experienced Retirement Plan Team Lead to manage a portfolio of approximately 65-75 qualified retirement plans while providing leadership and oversight to a Retirement Plan Administrator on their team. This role is ideal for a seasoned retirement plan professional with 10+ years of full-cycle (A-Z) administration experience, advanced technical expertise, and a passion for mentoring others while delivering exceptional client service.

The successful candidate will possess extensive experience administering complex defined contribution plans, including cross-tested, combo, multiple employer, pooled employer, and group of plans. They will serve as both a technical resource and people leader, ensuring high-quality client service, maintaining workflow efficiency, and supporting the professional development of their team member.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a fully remote position for candidates in the Eastern and Central time zones only; due to the primary locations of our client teams, preference will be given to those in the Atlanta area who are able to work on a hybrid schedule.

Key Responsibilities:

Retirement Plan Administration

• Administer a portfolio of approximately 65–75 qualified retirement plans from A-Z.
• Perform annual compliance testing including ADP/ACP, Top Heavy, 410(b), 401(a)(4), 414(s), Benefits, Rights & Features (BRF), and other required nondiscrimination testing.
• Administer complex plan designs including:
  • Safe Harbor
  • Profit Sharing
  • Cross-Tested/New Comparability
  • Combo Defined Contribution/Cash Balance and Defined Contribution/Defined Benefit plans
  • Pooled Employer Plans (PEPs)
  • Open and Closed Multiple Employer Plans (MEPs)
  • Group of Plans (GOPs)
• Coordinate annual valuations and collect year-end census information for actuarial partners supporting Cash Balance and Defined Benefit plans.
• Deliver contribution options, Annual Valuation Reports (AVRs), participant statements, Form 5500 filings, and client communications related to combo plans in partnership with the actuarial team.
• Review and interpret plan documents and recommend plan design enhancements.
• Process participant transactions including distributions, loans, hardships, rollovers, and required plan amendments.
• Prepare and file government forms including Forms 5500, 8955-SSA, 5330, and related compliance filings.
• Perform trust accounting for both pooled investment accounts and self-directed brokerage accounts.
• Analyze Controlled Group and Affiliated Service Group ownership structures to determine plan compliance requirements.
• Import, validate, and reconcile participant census and financial data.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients by providing timely guidance on operational and compliance matters.

Team Leadership

• Provide day-to-day leadership and oversight for an assigned Retirement Plan Administrator.
• Monitor workflow and production for both personal and team workloads to ensure deadlines and service standards are consistently met.
• Review team member work for accuracy, completeness, and quality.
• Serve as the escalation point for Tier 2 client issues and assist team members in resolving complex administrative or compliance matters.
• Conduct annual performance reviews and provide ongoing coaching, mentorship, and development.
• Foster collaboration, accountability, and continuous process improvement within the team.

Qualifications:

• 10+ years of full-cycle (A-Z) qualified retirement plan administration experience.
• Demonstrated experience administering complex defined contribution retirement plans with increasing technical responsibility.
• ASPPA QKA designation required.
• QPA and/or Certified Pension Consultant (CPC/CBS or equivalent advanced credential) strongly preferred.
• Strong expertise with:
  • Non-discrimination testing, including 401(a)(4), 414(s), and Benefits, Rights & Features testing
  • Controlled Group and Affiliated Service Group rules
  • Trust accounting
  • Complex plan designs including PEPs, MEPs, Group of Plans, and combo DC/CB or DC/DB arrangements
• Prior experience leading or mentoring retirement plan administration staff.
• Excellent client relationship management and communication skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management abilities.
• Detail-oriented with exceptional mathematical and accounting aptitude.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced remote environment while managing multiple competing priorities.

Pay Transparency Statement:

The anticipated pay range for this position is $90,000-$105,000 annually.

At Strongpoint Partners, our salary ranges reflect the minimum and maximum base pay for the posted position applicable to all locations across the US. Within the posted salary range, individual pay is determined by the geographic location, job related skills, experience, education, and certifications. Our total compensation package includes base pay plus a comprehensive benefits program.