Description
CBIZ Talent Solutions is proud to assist the Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). PERA seeks an Executive Director to lead one of the nation’s most respected statewide public retirement systems. PERA administers retirement benefits for Minnesota’s local public employees. Reporting to an 11member Board of Trustees, the Executive Director is accountable for the strategic leadership, operational excellence, and fiduciary stewardship of PERA’s multiplan system. The role spans internal operations (benefit administration, modernization, risk and compliance) and external leadership (legislative engagement, stakeholder relations), with a focus on sustaining strong funding, service quality, and trust with members, employers, and policymakers.
Key responsibilities
Lead multiyear modernization of pension administration capabilities (process, people, technology) with clear milestones, benefits realization, and risk controls.
Oversee benefit programs and service delivery across all PERA plans, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and member/employer satisfaction.
Provide organizationwide leadership to ~160 staff across core functions: Member/Employer Services, Benefit Calculations, Finance, IT/Security, Legal, Communications, HR.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred (e.g., MPA/MPP, MBA, JD, or relevant graduate credential). Actuarial, finance, public administration, or legal training a plus.
5+ years of progressively responsible leadership in public pensions, benefits administration, public finance, or comparable public sector environments.
Experience leading large, multidisciplinary teams and managing enterprise operations, including technology modernization and cybersecurity.
Demonstrated success engaging with legislative bodies and/or regulatory agencies and working effectively with governing boards.
Familiarity with Minnesota’s public sector landscape, or the ability to rapidly develop that understanding, is strongly preferred.
To Apply and learn more about the Responsibilities and Qualifications please view the position specifications and Apply link below:
https://cdn.bfldr.com/52FHD6PA/as/rtvrcx5wjgh5v888k9k6rh8/MN_PERA_ED__PositionSpec
Requirements
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred (e.g., MPA/MPP, MBA, JD, or relevant graduate credential). Actuarial, finance, public administration, or legal training a plus.
5+ years of experience in either an executive-level management position or a position with responsibility for the governance, management, or administration of a retirement plan.
Experience leading large, multidisciplinary teams and managing enterprise operations, including technology modernization and cybersecurity.
Demonstrated success engaging with legislative bodies and/or regulatory agencies and working effectively with governing boards.
Familiarity with Minnesota’s public sector landscape, or the ability to rapidly develop that understanding, is strongly preferred.
