Executive Director

CFA Institute; El Paso (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

City of El Paso Employees Retirement Trust (CEPERT) seeks an Executive Director to serve as chief executive, Board Secretary, and senior fiduciary. The ED will guide benefit administration, governance, and investment oversight with Board direction.

The role leads a skilled team, fosters ethical, high-performance culture, and represents the Trust credibly to members, the City, and the surrounding community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Five plus years leadership experience with a pension system or similar financial services organization.
• Five plus years of fiduciary responsibility, investment strategy and oversight, actuarial concepts and methods, tax, finance or accounting, and governance experience (preferably within pension/retirement benefits).
• Demonstrated success in leadership, staff development, and process improvement.
• High emotional intelligence, superior communication and relationship-building skills.
• Proven track record with strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement.
• Desirable credentials: JD, CPA and/or advanced degree, CFA.

Responsibilities

• Serve as chief executive for the City of El Paso Employees Retirement Trust (CEPERT).
• Act as Board Secretary and senior fiduciary for administration of the Trust.
• Provide governance leadership, policy execution, and disciplined investment oversight.
• Lead a skilled team, foster an ethical, high-performance culture, and ensure credible, transparent representation to members, City, and community.

Skills

Leadership

Fiduciary duties

Investment oversight

Governance

Staff development

Regulatory compliance

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Board experience

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree

JD/CPA/CFA or advanced degree

Job description

CBIZ Talent Solutions is proud to assist the City of El Paso Employees Retirement Trust (CEPERT) in finding their next Executive Director (ED). CEPERT is a single employer defined benefit pension plan managing ~$1 billion in assets for over 8,600 members.

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director serves as the chief executive, Board Secretary, and senior fiduciary for administration of the Trust. The leader will ensure excellent benefit administration, strong governance and policy execution, and disciplined investment oversight. With direction from the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director leads a skilled team, cultivates an ethical, high-performance culture, and represents the Trust with credibility and transparency to members, the City, and the community.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Five plus years leadership experience with a pension system or other similar financial services organization
• Five plus years of fiduciary responsibility, investment strategy and oversight, actuarial concepts and methods, tax, finance or accounting experience, and governance experience required (preferably within pension/retirement benefits industry)
• Demonstrated success in leadership, staff development, and process improvement
• High emotional intelligence, superior communication, and relationship-building skills
• Proven track record of success with strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement
• Desirable credentials: JD, CPA and/or advanced degree in a related field, CFA

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• General Investments, accounting, taxation, pension administration, and payroll/benefit systems
• Actuarial valuations, PRB reporting, audits, budgeting, and contract compliance
• Ability to review and manage legal documents (e.g., contracts, QDROs) and coordinate with outside counsel
• Strong communication (written and verbal) with the ability to translate complex topics for diverse audiences
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 (Excel, Outlook, Word, Teams, PowerPoint) and the ability to learn Trust systems
• Strong organization, problem-solving, independent judgment, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively; maintain confidentiality and data integrity
• Experience working with a board
• Ability to travel as needed