Utah Retirement Systems provides retirement benefits for more than 250,000 Utah public employees, including teachers, firefighters, police officers, and others who serve their communities. URS administers eight pension systems and four retirement savings plans, providing financial security and peace of mind for thousands of Utah families. URS is a dynamic, complex enterprise that requires collaboration from talented employees across a diverse range of fields. We take pride in maintaining a positive team environment and excellent work-life balance. We offer a competitive salary, and our benefits far exceed what most modern employers offer.

POSITION SUMMARY

Performs a variety of analytical, technical, and customer service duties by improving and maintaining the efficient day-to-day operations of the defined contribution savings plans.  Takes the lead to ensure policies, procedures, plan documents, forms and publications, and web disclosures are up to date and meets department needs.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES

1. Manages savings plan compliance and facilitates the efficient implementation of new plans, programs, funds, and processing systems.
2. Provides research and interpretation of state and federal retirement and savings plan laws, codes, and regulations. Coordinates with the Legal department to ensure the department is compliant with savings plan laws, codes, and regulations.
3. Acts as a liaison between the Savings Plans department and other Office departments, to coordinate the implementation of new projects and maintain efficient daily processes.
4. Creates and writes new forms, literature, disclosures, and other publications as needed.
5. Manages the editing and maintenance of written policies and procedures, literature, bulletins, newsletters, fund fact sheets, forms, documents, letters, and the employers guide.
6. Assists with the maintenance of the plan documents and investment policy statement as assigned.
7. Develops and maintains reports and departmental statistics, as assigned. Assists in monitoring the investment funds performance and benchmarking.
8. Develops and maintains a calendaring system for periodic and reoccurring events and procedures.
9. Assists management through research and analysis of savings plan rules, changes to the rules, and their impact on the department and company.
10. Monitors activities, communications, and information provided to participants and prospective participants, to assure compliance with statutes and regulations governing the savings plans.
11. Provides recommendations for improving day-to-day operations. Assists in determining performance standards to assure delivery of quality services.
12. Provides customer service and educates plan participants on all aspects of the savings plans by assisting with ACD telephone calls, walk-in counseling, and written responses to members, as needed.
13. Reviews emergency withdrawal applications to assist in determining eligibility for distributions.
14. Monitors and prioritizes the technology needs of the department. Maintains a list of current and upcoming IT projects for the department.
15. Evaluates, tests, and validates new applications, workflows, website modifications, and software programs. Provides timely feedback to management regarding new or updated IT programs. Works with the IT and Employer Services departments to resolve technical issues.
16. Works with IT to create new processes, workflows, and informational displays for the URS website and operating system software.
17. Assists with the development of request for proposals (RFPs) and request for information (RFIs). Assists in the review and selection process for new consultants and service providers. Works with participating employers to maintain a current service agreement.
18. Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
19. Performs other related duties as assigned.
20. Maintains strict confidentiality.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting, or related field; and five (5) years of experience with investments, insurance, operations management, project management, defined contribution plans, or other related fields; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Industry related designations, such as CFP or CFA are preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

This list contains knowledge, skills, and abilities that are typically associated with the job. It is not all-inclusive and may vary from position to position:

Required technical skills include the intermediate working knowledge and ability of:

• Software applications such as Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, electronic records management systems and databases.
• Drafting technical reports, newsletters, brochures, memos, and other documents.
• Operating a variety of office equipment.
• Creating business rules and logical flow charts for IT to follow.

Required mathematical skills include working knowledge of:

• Financial services market.
• Accounting.
• Taxes.
• Fractions, percentages, and ratios.
• Investment principles: time value of money, charting, return calculations, and benchmarking.
• Statistical analysis and probability.

Required working knowledge of:

• Purposes, principles, and theory of retirement saving plans (401(k), 457, IRAs).
• IRS Code.
• US Treasury Regulations.
• Analysis of a variety of retirement and investment issues and problems.

Must possess excellent communication skills:

• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, technical procedures, or regulations.
• Write reports, publications, and business correspondence.
• Develop written policies and procedures and communicate the same regarding the defined contribution plans.
• Read and interpret written policy.

Must have the ability to:

• Follow written and verbal instructions.
• Prioritize work.
• Perform within deadlines.
• Work well in a team environment as well as independently.
• Maintain effective working relationships with professionals, executives (public and private), department heads, co-workers and the public.
• Multi-task by handling a variety of duties in a timely and efficient manner.
• Follow through with assignments.
• Deal effectively with stress caused by workload and time deadlines.

The incumbent must always demonstrate judgment, high integrity, and personal values consistent with the values of URS.

Additional Requirements

As a requirement of this position, the employee may be required to submit to the URS Investment Compliance Officer a record of trade confirmations or monthly transaction summaries, as they become available, of all security transactions (excluding mutual funds), in any account under the employee’s control and direction, or under the control and direction of the employee’s spouse.

Work Environment

Incumbent performs in a typical office setting with appropriate climate controls. Tasks require a variety of physical activities which do not generally involve muscular strain, but do require activities related to walking, standing, stooping, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing and seeing. Common eye, hand, finger dexterity required to perform essential functions. Requires occasional moderate lifting and carrying of objects weighing up to 50 lbs.