Manager, ESOP Administration

Company: Transition Finance Strategies LLC
Location: Appleton
Posted on: February 17, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description 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. About Blue Ridge Associates 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. Your Role: Manager, ESOP Administration 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. Key Responsibilities Manage all aspects of ESOP plan administration, including: 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: What We’re Looking For 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 Required Qualifications 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 What We Offer You’ll be joining a company that values hard work, integrity, and shared success — and we support your career growth every step of the way. 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 Our Core Values 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. Blue Ridge is committed to equal pay and pay transparency. The annual base salary range for this position is $80,000 - $125,000. This range represents the anticipated pay for this role across multiple U.S. labor markets and is intended as a general guideline. Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the role, relevant experience, work location, education and training, key skills, internal equity, external market data, and current business considerations. Equal Opportunity Employer Must be authorized to work in the US.

Keywords: Transition Finance Strategies LLC, Waukesha , Manager, ESOP Administration, Human Resources , Appleton, Wisconsin