CBIZ Talent Solutions is proud to assist the Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) in the search for 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 11-member Board of Trustees, the Executive Director will provide strategic leadership, operational oversight, and fiduciary stewardship for PERA’s multi-plan retirement system.
This role oversees both internal operations and external leadership initiatives, including:
- Benefit administration
- Organizational modernization
- Risk management and compliance
- Legislative engagement
- Stakeholder and board relations
The Executive Director will play a key role in sustaining strong funding, operational excellence, service quality, and trust with members, employers, and policymakers.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the multi-year modernization of pension administration capabilities, including process improvement, technology advancement, and operational efficiency
- Oversee benefit programs and service delivery across all PERA plans
- Ensure accuracy, timeliness, and strong member/employer satisfaction
- Provide leadership to approximately 160 staff across:
- Member & Employer Services
- Benefit Calculations
- Finance
- IT & Security
- Legal
- Communications
- Human Resources
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred (MPA, MPP, MBA, JD, or related graduate degree)
- 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in:
- Public pensions
- Benefits administration
- Public finance
- Comparable public sector organizations
- Experience managing large multidisciplinary teams and enterprise operations
- Strong background in technology modernization and cybersecurity oversight
- Demonstrated success working with governing boards, legislative bodies, and regulatory agencies
- Familiarity with Minnesota’s public sector landscape strongly preferred
Apply
To learn more about the position responsibilities and qualifications, please review the full position specifications and application materials.
Position Specifications
