Job Description

Teachers Retirement Association of Minnesota

The Teachers Retirement Association’s (TRA) Board of Trustees is conducting a search for our next Executive Director.

TRA is a state government entity that has been administering public pension coverage to Minnesota educators for decades, with a mission to help members and their beneficiaries plan for an independent and financially secure retirement.  Through our four Minnesota office locations, we provide retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to active, inactive, and retired public educators throughout the state.

Our Executive Director role acts as an advisor to the Board of Trustees on all matters pertaining to the association and serves as a fiduciary on the State Board of Investment’s Investment Advisory Council which oversees the investment of approximately $94 billion in assets. The Executive Director manages the association’s offices and resources to effectively and efficiently serve members, retirees, and their employers. We are looking for an experienced strategic leader who will oversee the essential services that TRA provides; ensure compliant practices, as well as innovative and secure technology; manage, develop, and engage TRA staff; and represent the Board of Trustees/TRA’s position with government and public stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications

Interested candidates must possess the following minimum requirements , in order to be considered.

• A bachelor’s or advanced degree in finance, business administration, public administration, accounting, political science, law or a closely related field.
• At least five years of professional experience in either an executive-level management position or a position with responsibility for the governance, management, or administration of a retirement plan.

Professional experience must demonstrate:

• Knowledge of legislative process, public-policy making process, and government structure and functions, as well as the a bility to effectively use the principles and practices of public administration, inter-governmental relations and political climate management.
• Strong interpersonal skills in order to establish, maintain, and facilitate relationships with diverse stakeholder groups; resolve conflicting viewpoints; successfully oversee and collaborate on enterprise initiatives; and communicate information about sensitive topics.
• Experience motivating, coaching, and providing constructive feedback to employees in order to foster organizational teamwork and champion a work culture that advocates for development, inclusion, and change.
• Excellent written and public speaking ability to represent the Board of Trustees/TRA at the local, state, and national levels.
• Ability to prepare, manage, and maintain budgets.
• Strong analytical skills with a demonstrated ability to develop business requirements and streamline business processes.
• Ability to establish an effective business direction for an organization, including assessing internal and external factors and developing long-range strategic plans.

This position is located in our Saint Paul, Minnesota office and will require the Executive Director to maintain a schedule that frequently includes in-person work. Responsibilities of this position will also require the ability to secure transportation for regular in-state business travel.   Occasional out-of-state travel will also be required.

  Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of defined benefit plan design and application of federal laws and rulings related to plan administration
• Leadership experience in the public pension field.
• Experience overseeing and evaluating emerging, secure enterprise technology solutions, as well as managing information technology system development.
• Experience in mitigating organizational risk.
• Experience leading a diverse organization of at least seventy-five (75) staff in a variety of functions.

  Physical Requirements

This position requires occasional transporting of articles such as file folders, ledgers, and/or small tools. The Executive Director may be required to move or maintain a stationary position for long periods of time.  

Additional Requirements

It is the policy of TRA that all finalist(s) submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:

• State of Minnesota state government employment records check (applies to current and past State of Minnesota state government employees only)
• Criminal History Check
• Employee Reference Check
• Social Security and Address Verification
• Education Verification
• Driver's License Check

The successful candidate must pass employer reference checks and background check.

Compensation

The compensation for this position starts at $153,000 annually, and the compensation offer will be dependent upon candidate qualifications.  

Comprehensive Benefits

As an employee, your benefits will include:  

• Public pension plan
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 11 paid holidays each year
• Paid parental leave
• Low-cost medical and dental coverage
• Prescription drug coverage
• Vision coverage
• Wellness programs and resources
• Employer paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Health care spending and savings accounts
• Dependent care spending account
• Tax-deferred compensation
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free ramp parking at our Saint Paul Office location.  

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Teachers Retirement Association is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly government employer. We recognize that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourage qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.  

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who need assistance please contact ExecutiveSearch@minnesotatra.org .  

A full position description is available upon request.

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