POSITION: Retirement Plan Educational Specialist

TYPE: Full time, Salary

LOCATION: Utica, NY

SUMMARY: Are you passionate about helping people achieve their financial goals? Do you enjoy working with people who share your commitment to quality, excellence, and professional growth? Our client, Strategic Financial Services, is looking for motivated professionals who can supports existing client relationships and serves as a trusted resource for plan participants. Responsibilities include delivering financial education programs (both in-person and virtual), helping shape participant engagement strategies, and communicating Strategics’ wealth management services and solutions. The company was recently named the #1 Place to Work for Financial Advisers by InvestmentNews!

FIRM VALUES:

• Serve | Grow | Live

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

•Support day-to-day management of existing client relationships and help shape the overall client service experience.

•Schedule, prepare for, and attend client and participant meetings; maintain meeting schedules and document follow-up actions. 

•Coordinate plan administration tasks with external partners (TPAs, CPAs, recordkeepers) and assist with onboarding, conversions, and general administration.

•Provide participant education and enrollment materials for individuals and groups.

•Serve as a subject matter expert on recordkeeper systems and escalate participant or sponsor issues to Senior/Lead Advisors as needed.

•Identify clients or participants who may benefit from additional investment services or financial planning, and serve as a referral source to Wealth Management.

•Develop relationship-management skills and progress toward a Lead Advisor role by gradually taking on new and existing client responsibilities.

TECHNICAL SKILLS:
•Energetic self-starter committed to continuous learning and professional growth.

•Highly organized with attention to detail, follow-through, and ability to manage multiple deadlines.

•Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills; able to listen, ask questions, identify opportunities, resolve conflicts, educate, and coach clients.

•Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams) and quick to learn tools like SharePoint and social scheduling platforms.

•Operational knowledge of financial planning technology, client-facing systems, performance reporting, and CRM platforms.

•Basic understanding of investments, securities markets, global economics, portfolio construction, and market trends.

•Foundational knowledge of retirement plans, recordkeeping, participant education, and financial planning principles.

REQUIREMENTS:
•Bachelor’s degree required; industry-specific or other technical training is a plus.

•FINRA Series 65: required within the first 12 months.

•Industry credential required within 18 months (e.g., CPFA, ABFP, WMS, or similar approvedcertification).

•1–3+ years of professional experience in financial services, investments, retirement planadministration, insurance, payroll, or employee benefits preferred.

•1–3+ years of retail or marketing experience helpful.

•1–3+ years of retirement plan-related experience desirable.

In addition to working with a team of highly competent professionals in a growing firm, benefits include:
•Opportunity to make an impact on client’s lifelong financial goals.
•Supportive leadership team dedicated to our culture of learning and professional development.
•Career mapping and mentorship
•Opportunity to grow personally and professionally
•Competitive salary and health benefits
•401K
•Paid time off

BASE SALARY RANGE: $52,000-$71,500 plus performance-based compensation

Strategic Financial Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.