Senior Retirement Manager

Morrison Foerster; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 184,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Parental leave and family benefits

Global wellness program incl. Talkpace

Birthday holiday and community service

Education reimbursement

Profit-sharing contributions

Job summary

Morrison Foerster is seeking a Senior Retirement Manager to lead the design, strategy, and administration of the firm’s U.S. retirement plans and POLI program.

You will serve as the subject matter expert, oversee a team, ensure regulatory compliance, and partner with HR, Finance, Legal, and external vendors. Based in San Francisco, Palo Alto, Seattle or Los Angeles, the role emphasizes audits, Form 5500s, data integrity, vendor management, and data-driven reporting to drive excellence in

Qualifications

• 7+ years in retirement plan administration with POLI or related experience preferred.
• 3+ years managing and developing HR professionals.
• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, Finance, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, strategy, and administration of the firm’s U.S. retirement plans and POLI program.
• Oversee audits, government filings (Form 5500s, 1099s) and actuarial coordination ensuring ERISA compliance.
• Manage external advisors, recordkeepers, and plan administrators; coordinate plan documents and participant communications.
• Develop dashboards and reporting on utilization, costs, and demographics for HR leadership.
• Partner with Finance on budgeting and expense monitoring and drive program improvements.

Skills

Retirement plan administration

ERISA compliance

Project management

Stakeholder communication

Excel proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, Finance, or related field

QKA/CRPS designation

Tools

Excel

Job description

Overview

At MoFo, we couldn’t write our own success story without yours. Ready to write your story?

Join MoFo as SENIOR RETIREMENT MANAGER on our Human Resources team!

This role can be based in San Francisco, Palo Alto, Seattle or Los Angeles. https://www.mofo.com/offices

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Senior Retirement Manager leads the design, strategy, and administration of the firm's U.S. retirement plans and Partner Owned Life Insurance (POLI) program. As the firm's subject matter expert in retirement benefits, this role oversees a team and drives regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and investment integrity. The Senior Manager administers the Retirement Committee, collaborates closely with internal ERISA counsel, and partners with HR leadership, Finance, Legal, and external vendors to strengthen and continuously improve the firm's retirement programs and practices.

Leadership & Team Management

• Manages, mentors, and develops a team of retirement professionals; sets goals and workflows aligned with HR and firm strategy.
• Drives a culture of continuous improvement and high-quality service; serves as escalation point for complex retirement matters.

Retirement Plan Strategy & Administration

• Provides strategic and operational oversight of the firm's DC, DB, and POLI programs, including plan design analysis and recommendations to HR leadership.
• Leads annual audits, government filings (Form 5500s, 1099s, PBGC), and actuarial coordination; ensures full regulatory and ERISA compliance.
• Oversees claims and appeals, data integrity, participant contributions and distributions, and cross-functional HRIS/Payroll partnerships.
• Manages external advisors, recordkeepers, and plan administrators; directs plan documents, SPDs, and participant communications.
• Leads benchmarking, plan improvement initiatives, and project implementations; partners with Finance on budgeting and expense monitoring.

Vendor & Contract Management

• Leads vendor evaluation, contract negotiation, and ongoing performance management for retirement and POLI programs.

Analytics & Reporting

• Develops dashboards and statistical reporting on utilization, costs, and demographics; delivers data-driven recommendations to HR leadership and firm management.

Professional Development

• Stays current on legislative and regulatory trends; champions HRIS tools and participates in firm-wide HR initiatives to enhance service delivery.

ABOUT YOU

• 7+ years in retirement plan administration with deep expertise in Partner Cash Balance and 401(k) plans; POLI experience preferred.
• 3+ years managing and developing HR professionals.
• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, Finance, or related field required.
• Background in professional services or law firm settings strongly preferred.
• Expert knowledge of DC and DB plan administration, design, and compliance, including ERISA, PBGC, and applicable tax law.
• Experience leading plan audits, government filings, and compliance activities.
• QKA, QPA, CRPS, or equivalent designation preferred.
• Advanced Excel (VLOOKUPs, pivot tables); proficiency in Microsoft Office and HRIS platforms.
• Strategic thinker with the discipline to maintain operational excellence in day-to-day administration.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex data into clear recommendations for senior stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional communicator — able to translate technical subject matter for non-technical audiences.
• Skilled relationship-builder who influences effectively across all levels and functions.
• High integrity, discretion with confidential information, and sharp attention to detail.

ABOUT OUR BENEFITS

• A variety of options for medical, dental, vision, life and disability coverage to meet the needs of you and your family.
• Industry-leading parental leave and family benefits including adoption and fertility treatment options and backup child and elder care.
• Global wellness program, including free access to Talkspace and Calm apps.
• Annual community service day to make an impact on your community and a birthday holiday just for fun.
• Education reimbursement annually.
• Dedicated Talent Development team.
• Competitive annual profit-sharing contribution.

Where required by law, salary ranges are stated below. Additional compensation may include a discretionary bonus, overtime as applicable, health/welfare benefits, retirement contributions, paid holidays, and PTO. The range displayed is specifically for positions performed in those cities/states and may vary based on factors including but not limited to the following: local market data and ranges; an applicant's skills and prior relevant experience; and certain degrees, licensing, and certifications.

San Francisco, Palo Alto salary range: $184k to $230k

Los Angeles, Seattle salary range: $175k to $222k

For questions regarding this position, please e-mail [e-mail]