Retirement Program Manager

Location: Bismarck, ND | On-site Salary: $90,000–$110,000 annually Posting Dates: November 6 – December 4, 2026 Anticipated Start Date: February 15, 2027 Help Shape Retirement Security for North Dakota Educators. Behind every successful retirement is a team dedicated to getting the details right. The North Dakota Retirement and Investment Office (RIO) is seeking a Retirement Program Manager to lead member services for the Teachers' Fund for Retirement (TFFR), a defined benefit pension program serving approximately 26,000 active, retired, and inactive members across North Dakota and working with 204 participating employers. This is an opportunity for a collaborative, forward-thinking leader who enjoys developing people, solving complex problems, and improving services that make a meaningful difference in people's lives. If you bring experience in retirement or benefits administration, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to exceptional service, we want to hear from you. The Opportunity As Retirement Program Manager, you'll oversee the day-to-day operations of TFFR member services and lead the team responsible for helping educators understand and access their retirement benefits. Reporting to the Chief Retirement Officer, you'll balance operational leadership with opportunities to improve processes, strengthen systems, and contribute to the future direction of the retirement program.

Summary of Work

• Lead and develop a team. Supervise Retirement Program Specialists and administrative support staff, establish clear expectations, coordinate workloads, coach employees, and build a collaborative, service-focused environment.
• Oversee retirement services. Ensure accurate and timely administration of retirement, disability, survivor, withdrawal, service purchase, and other pension benefits while addressing complex member questions and concerns.
• Drive operational improvements. Evaluate workflows, strengthen internal controls, identify opportunities for efficiency, and support improvements to pension administration software and services.
• Navigate policy and compliance. Interpret and apply state and federal laws, administrative rules, and retirement program policies to support accurate, consistent benefit administration.
• Connect with members and employers. Partner with communications staff to deliver retirement education, workshops, and outreach that help educators understand their benefits and prepare for retirement.
• Support program planning and accountability. Work alongside the Chief Retirement Officer on strategic initiatives, annual actuarial valuations, audits, legislative implementation, and other projects that strengthen the program.

You'll collaborate with leadership, fiscal and communications teams, retirement program partners, and school districts throughout North Dakota. Occasional in-state travel is expected for retirement education and outreach. What You'll Bring You'll bring sound judgment, critical thinking, financial and analytical skills, and the ability to turn complex information into practical solutions. Just as important, you'll be an approachable leader who communicates clearly, handles challenging situations with professionalism, and understands that exceptional member service begins with a supported and engaged team. We're looking for a leader who combines technical knowledge with a people-first approach who can balance competing priorities, maintain accuracy, navigate change, and help a team succeed in a complex, highly regulated environment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, finance, accounting, human resources, or a related field.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in retirement plan, pension, or employee benefits administration, including two years of supervisory or lead experience.
• Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the degree on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience administering public defined benefit pension plans, ideally five or more years.
• Familiarity with pension administration software and the interpretation of statutes, administrative rules, and retirement policies.
• An advanced degree in business or finance, such as an MBA, or a relevant professional certification, such as CPA.
• Experience leading projects, managing change, coordinating with vendors, and improving business processes.

About Team ND

"Far and away the best prize life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." - Theodore Roosevelt More than 7,500 talented, hard-working people across sixty-three agencies have come together as Team North Dakota. At Team ND, we are driven to succeed through gratitude, humility, curiosity and courage. Our purpose is to empower people, improve lives, and inspire success. Join us in being legendary. Total Rewards: The State of North Dakota is committed to providing team members with a strong and competitive rewards package that support you, your health and your family. Considering a new position on Team ND? How does your current position stack up? Use our Total Rewards Calculator to estimate.

Application Procedures

Applicants must complete the State of North Dakota online application on the ND Careers website along with uploading a cover letter, resume, references, and college transcripts (official or unofficial). Applications must be completed by 11:59 p.m. CST on December 4, 2026. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. NDRIO does not provide visa sponsorship. NDRIO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify. We will use E-Verify to confirm your employment eligibility in the United States. Please review E-Verify Employee Rights and Responsibilities and the E-Verify Participation Poster. A criminal history record check, including fingerprinting, will be conducted on the successful candidate prior to hiring pursuant to NDCC § 12-60-24. Please contact Charles Kauffeld, Chief Retirement Officer, for specific questions about the role at ckauffeld@nd.gov, or Kari Dunn at (701) 328-3357 or kdunn@nd.gov if you need an accommodation or assistance in the application process. If you experience technical difficulties with the application process or uploading attachments, please contact recruiter@nd.gov.

Agency Specific

What We Offer

• A mission-driven role where your work directly supports retirement security for North Dakota educators.
• The opportunity to shape processes and services that support responsible pension administration.
• A collaborative, values-based team environment.
• Opportunities for professional growth, leadership visibility, and meaningful daily contributions.
• 100% employer-paid family health insurance for eligible employees.
• A strong retirement package, generous leave, and work-life balance.

Hiring Salary Range: $90,000–$110,000 annually, dependent upon experience. Location: In the Bismarck, ND office. About NDRIO The North Dakota Retirement and Investment Office (RIO), based in Bismarck, coordinates the activities of the State Investment Board (SIB) and the Teachers' Fund for Retirement (TFFR). Through the State Investment Board, RIO provides investment management services for approximately 30 clients, including major public funds such as the Legacy Fund, the Public Employees Retirement System, TFFR, and Workforce Safety & Insurance. TFFR provides North Dakota's public educators with a financial foundation for retirement through responsible pension administration, professional plan management, and exceptional member service. As of June 30, 2025, TFFR held approximately $3.6 billion in assets and distributed $271.5 million in retirement benefits during fiscal year 2025. Guided by our values of integrity, accountability, and service, we strive to be a trusted and innovative provider of investment and pension services. Learn more on the RIO Webpage. Ready to Make an Impact? Bring your leadership skills and retirement or benefits administration experience to a role where service and thoughtful leadership make a lasting difference. Apply by December 4, 2026, through Team ND Career Openings

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of North Dakota and this hiring agency do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), genetics, religion, age or disability in employment or the provisions of services and complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act. As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.