Director of Executive & ESOP Administration

Bank Forward; Fargo (ND); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental & Vision

401k with ESOP

Paid Time Off

Holidays & Extended Leave

Job summary

Bank Forward is seeking an experienced ESOP/retirement plan administrator to manage complex equity, deferred compensation, and board reporting at a senior level. You will oversee 401(k) plan operations, communications, and compliance, aligning plan design with regulatory requirements while partnering with auditors and trustees.

The role requires a CPA or equivalent, a strong financial background, and at least eight years in ESOP or retirement plan administration in banking or ESOP-intensive

Qualifications

• ESOP administration with liaison to trustee/valuation firm; input valuation data and manage distributions.
• Oversee 401(k) plan testing, filings, and fee reviews; coordinate with recordkeepers.
• Stock plan administration including grants, vesting, tax withholding, recs.
• Support 409A and BOLI plan operations; coordinate with carriers and advisors.
• Prepare executive summaries and Board materials; assist committees.
• Draft participant notices, FAQs, and education aligned to milestones.
• Maintain auditable workpapers; monitor regulatory developments and plan updates.
• Execute special projects to improve quality, time, and transparency.

Responsibilities

• Prepare executive summaries and Committee/Board materials; support governance processes.
• Coordinate plan design analyses and benchmarking in response to executive requests.
• Ensure timely remittance and disclosures for retirement and ESOP plans.
• Communicate with participants through clear notices and educational materials.
• Maintain compliance with banking, tax, and securities regulations.

Skills

ESOP administration

401(k) plan oversight

Stock plan administration

Deferred compensation (409A) & BOLI

Executive & Board reporting

Participant communication

Controls & compliance

Special projects

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance

Master’s/MBA preferred

Active CPA license desired

Job description

We believe in the commitment to seek out and provide financial and insurance solutions for tomorrow, not just for today. In doing so, we help our customers, employees, and communities 'fast forward' to the goals they strive to achieve in life.

Benefits: Health (Traditional and High-Deductible plan options), Dental, Vision, Medical & Dependent Care FSA, HSA, 401k, Employee Stock Ownership, Company paid Life and Long-term Disability Insurance, Voluntary paid benefits, Paid Time Off, Holidays, Extended Medical Absence Leave.

Work Hours: Full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:00-5:00pm.

Skills / Requirements / Qualifications:

• ESOP administration: Primary liaison to trustee/valuation firm/TPA; prepare valuation inputs; manage annual statements, distributions, diversification, and participant communications; maintain repurchase obligation model and cash-flow forecasts.

• 401(k) plan oversight: Coordinate testing (ADP/ACP), audit filings, fee reviews; manage recordkeeper and advisor; ensure timely remittance and disclosures.

• Stock plan administration: Oversee grants, vesting, exercises, tax withholding, and reconciliations; maintain equity plan records in platform.

• Deferred compensation (409A) & BOLI: Support plan operations, elections, distributions, and compliance; coordinate with carriers/advisors; maintain policy and performance reviews.

• Executive & Board reporting: Prepare executive summaries and committee/Board materials; attend key committees as requested; maintain control calendar and dashboards.

• Participant communication: Draft and deliver clear, timely participant notices, FAQs, and education aligned to plan milestones.

• Controls & compliance: Maintain auditable workpapers; coordinate with the Internal Auditor on plan audits; monitor regulatory developments and recommend plan updates.

• Special projects: Execute executive requests (e.g., plan design analysis, benchmarking), improving quality, cycle time, and transparency.

• Comply with applicable banking, insurance, tax, and investment laws and regulations.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance; Master’s/MBA preferred.

• Minimum of eight years’ experience in ESOP/retirement/equity plan administration with executive-level reporting, banking, or ESOP-intensive company preferred.

• Active CPA license desired.

Equal Opportunity Employer