Senior Relationship Manager Mid-Market -Southern California

Empower; Orange (CA); On-site; USD 116,000 - 164,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision and life ins.

401(k) with company match up to 6%

Tuition reimbursement

Casual dress code / jeans allowed

Paid time off + holidays

Volunteer time off

Parental leave & disability leave

BRGs and inclusion initiatives

Job summary

Empower is seeking a Sr Relationship Manager Mid-Market to act as a strategic partner for plan sponsors, advisors, and TPAs, managing a portfolio of 20–30 mid-size retirement plans with assets typically between $50 million and $200 million. This role focuses on retention, growth, and retirement readiness while collaborating with internal teams to deliver tailored solutions.

The candidate will drive client satisfaction, mitigate risk, and lead plan reviews, executive-level presentations, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related discipline or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years financial services including building strategic relationships.
• FINRA 6 and 63 registration required within corporate-established timelines.
• FINRA fingerprinting required.
• Life Insurance License required
• Proven experience managing client relationships in financial services, retirement plans, or a related industry.
• Strong understanding of plan design, investment management, and fiduciary governance.
• Excellent negotiation, presentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to travel 5-20% as needed based on territory and client book of business being proactive/in person vs reactive/virtual which requires minimal travel.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of mid-size complex retirement plans, typically 20 to 30 plans, for long-term retention and profitability.
• Cultivate and deepen relationships with plan sponsors, advisors, and internal stakeholders to drive business growth.
• Act as a trusted advisor by delivering strategic insights on plan design, investments, retirement readiness, and industry trends.
• Lead periodic plan reviews, including participant education planning and regulatory updates.
• Represent the participant communications strategy, integrating it into annual client plans.
• Partner with sales teams to expand advisor relationships, develop new business, and grow existing accounts.
• Work with client service teams to design and implement business planning deliverables.
• Participate in new business finals presentations and site visits, building rapport and managing client expectations.
• Identify and implement solutions that enhance overall satisfaction while maintaining the financial viability of client relationships.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex client issues, ensuring swift and effective resolution.
• Collaborate across internal teams to provide tailored, high‑value solutions for clients.
• Navigate organizational governance structures to advocate for client needs and business objectives.
• Stay informed on market trends, competitive landscape, and regulatory changes.
• Deliver client presentations on industry insights, plan performance, and legislative updates.
• Manage client P&L, balancing revenue growth and operational efficiency.
• Lead contract renewals, negotiations, and pricing strategies.
• Identify opportunities to optimize plan efficiency and maximize revenue potential.

Skills

Relationship management

Negotiation

Presentation skills

Communication

Strategic thinking

Financial acumen

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or related discipline

FINRA Series 6 and 63

FINRA fingerprinting

Life Insurance License

Job description

Our vision for the future is based on the idea that transforming financial lives starts by giving our people the freedom to transform their own. We have a flexible work environment, and fluid career paths. We not only encourage but celebrate internal mobility. We also recognize the importance of purpose, well‑being, and work‑life balance. Within Empower and our communities, we work hard to create a welcoming and inclusive environment, and our associates dedicate thousands of hours to volunteering for causes that matter most to them.

Chart your own path and grow your career while helping more customers achieve financial freedom. Empower Yourself.

The Empower Sr Relationship Manager Mid-Market serves as a strategic partner to our clients, delivering solutions that drive business goals related to retention, growth, and retirement readiness. This role specializes in managing relationships with plan sponsors, advisors, and third‑party administrators within either the Mid-Market, Tax Exempt or Taft-Hartley market segments. Focus is typically on managing 20 to 30 plans, each with assets between $50 million and $200 million. Individuals with a reactive/virtual book of business are usually assigned more plans.

As the primary point of contact for assigned client relationships, the Sr Relationship Manager Mid-Market is responsible for ensuring seamless service delivery, enhancing client satisfaction, mitigating risk, and driving client retention. This role may also collaborate with plan intermediaries and third‑party advisors (TPAs) to support plan sponsors in achieving their objectives.

Essential Functions

• Manage a portfolio of mid-size complex retirement plans, typically 20 to 30 plans, ensuring long-term retention and profitability. The number of plans may be higher for roles designated as a Virtual Mid-Market Relationship Manager, depending on the structure of the client book of business.
• Cultivate and deepen relationships with plan sponsors, advisors, and internal stakeholders to drive business growth.
• Act as a trusted advisor by delivering strategic insights on plan design, investments, retirement readiness, and industry trends.
• Lead periodic plan reviews, including participant education planning and regulatory updates.
• Represent the participant communications strategy, integrating it into annual client plans.
• Partner with sales teams to expand advisor relationships, develop new business, and grow existing accounts.
• Work with client service teams to design and implement business planning deliverables.
• Participate in new business finals presentations and site visits, building rapport and managing client expectations.
• Identify and implement solutions that enhance overall satisfaction while maintaining the financial viability of client relationships.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex client issues, ensuring swift and effective resolution.
• Collaborate across internal teams to provide tailored, high‑value solutions for clients.
• Navigate organizational governance structures to advocate for client needs and business objectives.
• Stay informed on market trends, competitive landscape, and regulatory changes.
• Deliver client presentations on industry insights, plan performance, and legislative updates.
• Manage client P&L, balancing revenue growth and operational efficiency.
• Lead contract renewals, negotiations, and pricing strategies.
• Identify opportunities to optimize plan efficiency and maximize revenue potential.

Additional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related discipline or equivalent experience
• 5+ years financial services including building strategic relationships.
• FINRA 6 and 63 registration required within corporate-established timelines.
• FINRA fingerprinting required.
• Life Insurance License required
• Proven experience managing client relationships in financial services, retirement plans, or a related industry.
• Strong understanding of plan design, investment management, and fiduciary governance.
• Excellent negotiation, presentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to navigate organizational structures and influence decision‑making.
• Strong business acumen, including financial and risk management expertise.
• Ability to travel 5-20% as needed based on territory and client book of business being proactive/in person vs reactive/virtual which requires minimal travel.

This job description outlines the key responsibilities and qualifications for this role but is not exhaustive. Empower reserves the right to revise the description as necessary. Performance evaluations will be based in part on the fulfillment of these responsibilities. Employment is at-will, and either the employer or employee may terminate employment at any time for any reason.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications of the job. The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time. You will be evaluated in part based on your performance of the responsibilities and/or tasks listed in this job description. You may be required perform other duties that are not included on this job description. The job description is not a contract for employment, and either you or the employer may terminate employment at any time, for any reason.

What We Offer You

We offer an array of diverse and inclusive benefits regardless of where you are in your career. We believe that providing our employees with the means to lead healthy balanced lives results in the best possible work performance.

• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• Retirement savings – 401(k) plan with generous company matching contributions (up to 6%), financial advisory services, potential company discretionary contribution, and a broad investment lineup
• Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250/year
• Business-casual environment that includes the option to wear jeans
• Generous paid time off upon hire – including a paid time off program plus ten paid company holidays and three floating holidays each calendar year
• Paid volunteer time — 16 hours per calendar year
• Leave of absence programs – including paid parental leave, paid short- and long-term disability, and Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)
• Business Resource Groups (BRGs) – BRGs facilitate inclusion and collaboration across our business internally and throughout the communities where we live, work and play. BRGs are open to all.

Base Salary Range

$116,300.00 - $164,225.00

The salary range above shows the typical minimum to maximum base salary range for this position in the location listed. Non-sales positions have the opportunity to participate in a bonus program. Sales positions are eligible for sales incentives, and in some instances a bonus plan, whereby total compensation may far exceed base salary depending on individual performance. Actual compensation offered may vary from posted hiring range based upon geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be finalized at the time of offer.

Equal opportunity employer

Drug‑free workplace

We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age (40 and over), race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, religion, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law.

For remote and hybrid positions you will be required to provide reliable high-speed internet with a wired connection as well as a place in your home to work with limited disruption. You must have reliable connectivity from an internet service provider that is fiber, cable or DSL internet. Other necessary computer equipment, will be provided. You may be required to work in the office if you do not have an adequate home work environment and the required internet connection.

Job Posting End Date at 12:01 am on: 10-23-2026