Manager, ESOP Administration

Description

Put your ESOP expertise to work in a leadership role that truly makes an impact.

At Blue Ridge Associates, we don’t just administer retirement plans — we help people build lasting financial independence. As one of the nation’s leading ESOP and 401(k) administration firms, we support companies that believe in sharing success with their employees.

We’re looking for a Manager, ESOP Administration to join our growing team. This is a fully remote role with the opportunity to manage a team, guide clients through complex ESOP matters, and shape the future of wealth‑building benefits nationwide.

We are a professional services firm providing third‑party retirement plan administration, including Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), 401(k), Defined Benefit (DB), and Cash Balance (CB) plans. With offices in seven cities and clients across the country, Blue Ridge Associates is proud to be one of the top ESOP administration firms in the U.S.

We are a collaborative, mission‑driven team committed to delivering outstanding service and supporting the financial futures of employees everywhere.

As the Manager of ESOP Administration, you will oversee the full lifecycle of client engagements and lead a team of ESOP Administration Consultants. This is a client‑facing leadership role requiring deep technical knowledge of ESOP plans, strong organizational skills, and a commitment to quality.

• Manage all aspects of ESOP plan administration: recordkeeping, compliance testing, distributions and loan processing, governmental and regulatory reporting.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for high‑profile clients.
• Lead, mentor, and support a team of ESOP Consultants.
• Ensure accuracy and compliance across client engagements.
• Solve complex plan‑related technical issues.
• Maintain professional and proactive relationships with clients and internal teams.
• Support ongoing process improvements and best practices.

Requirements

Ideal Candidate Attributes

• Customer‑focused and results‑driven.
• Technically proficient in complex ESOP administration.
• Self‑motivated with strong leadership and time‑management skills.
• Thrives in a fast‑paced, collaborative, and entrepreneurial environment.

• 10+ years of experience in defined contribution plan administration, including complex ESOPs.
• Prior experience with ESOP compliance testing and regulatory filings.
• QPA or QKA certification required.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; strong skills in Word and PowerPoint.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to interpret technical plan documents and resolve problems.
• Comfortable working independently and managing a complex caseload.
• Available for occasional overtime during peak workloads.
• Prior management or team leadership experience preferred.

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits (medical, dental, vision, life, disability); 401(k) with company match + HSA with company contribution; generous paid time off, including parental leave and holidays; education and professional development assistance (certifications, dues); fully remote work option or access to one of our office locations (VA, MD, IL, CA, MN, OH); a collaborative and inclusive culture with monthly birthday celebrations, quarterly virtual happy hours, annual social gatherings, volunteer and fundraising events, employee‑led committees and special projects.

• Precision – Delivering accurate, timely, error‑free service.
• Efficacy – Helping clients ensure compliance and retirement readiness.
• Advocacy – Supporting changes that benefit employees and employers.
• Collaboration – Building trusted partnerships internally and externally.
• Excellence – Providing proactive, high‑touch, personalized service.

Build a Career that Builds Financial Futures. If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact while growing your leadership career in retirement plan administration, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now and bring your ESOP expertise to a company that values your work.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Must be authorized to work in the US.