Head of IRA and Retirement Services

The Head of IRA and Retirement Services is a senior role within our Retirement team, overseeing approximately 12,000 IRA/Retirement accounts totaling nearly $10 billion in assets within the Private Wealth Management (PWM) business. As the firm’s “IRA Champion,” you will take ownership of all IRA-related processes, ensuring exceptional client service, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance. The role requires a combination of deep technical expertise in IRA regulations, exceptional client and advisor-facing skills, and the ability to collaborate across departments to drive innovation and process improvements.

Key Responsibilities:

Client and Advisor Support

• Serve as the primary point of contact (“IRA hotline”) for Advisors and Portfolio Management teams, addressing questions on regulations, beneficiary designations, and client-specific inquiries.

• Educate Advisors, new employees, and internal teams on IRA-related topics, regulatory updates, and industry trends.

• Partner with Advisors and their clients (including accountants and attorneys) to address complex IRA-related matters, providing consultative support.

• Review and assist with beneficiary questions, offering technical guidance on trusts, tax implications, and compliance requirements.

Operational Oversight and Process Management

• Oversee IRA services provided by NFS/Fidelity, identifying areas for improvement and driving process enhancements.

• Review and approve beneficiary changes, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and risk mitigation.

• Analyze the impact of tax law and regulatory changes on Retirement Operations processes and implement necessary adjustments.

• Resolve escalated issues, unusual items, and errors to maintain service quality and operational efficiency.

Regulatory Oversight and Compliance

• Monitor and interpret changes in tax laws and regulations (IRS, DOL) impacting IRA accounts, ensuring compliance and minimizing fiduciary risk.

• Communicate regulatory updates and their implications to Advisors, Operations, and other stakeholders.

• Maintain and update critical IRA documentation, including Adoption Agreements, Beneficiary Agreements, and Disclosure Statements.

• Lead internal audits related to IRA accounts, ensuring adherence to best practices and identifying areas for improvement.

Strategic Leadership and Thought Leadership

• Develop innovative strategies to improve IRA-related processes, client service, and risk management.

• Drive initiatives such as client webinars, whitepapers, and collaboration with the financial planning team and trust and estate attorneys.

• Act as a trusted partner to Advisors, helping integrate IRA expertise into broader wealth planning strategies.

• Proactively bring forward ideas to elevate the role, improve processes, and ensure scalability and operational efficiency.

Qualifications:

Experience and Education

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced certifications (e.g., CFP, CEBS, JD, or similar) preferred.

• 10+ years of experience in IRA or retirement services, with a strong understanding of IRA structures, tax law, and regulatory requirements.

• Familiarity with trusts, estate planning, and tax implications related to IRAs.

• Experience with ERISA plans is a plus.

• Previous experience at a wire house (e.g., Fidelity, Merrill Lynch, UBS) or managing a large IRA book of business is highly desirable.

Skills and Attributes

• Strong and comprehensive knowledge of IRA laws, regulations, and processes, with the ability to think like a T&E (Trusts & Estates) attorney when addressing complex beneficiary scenarios.

• Exceptional client service skills with the ability to partner effectively with Advisors, high-net-worth clients, accountants, and attorneys.

• Superior written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to lead calls, Zooms, and in-person meetings with various stakeholders.

• Highly independent and proactive, with the ability to work autonomously while building strong relationships across the organization.

• Proven track record of identifying inefficiencies and implementing process improvements to enhance service delivery and operational excellence.

• Strong ability to collaborate with internal teams (Operations, Legal, Compliance, Financial Planning) and contribute to cross-functional initiatives

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Compensation Details

The salary range for this role is $175,000-$215,000. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believ