Chief Benefits Officer

This is a non-merit position. Candidates must follow the instructions in the "To Apply" section. Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

Chief Benefits Officer

Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System

The Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS) is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Chief Benefits Officer (CBO).

The Chief Benefits Officer manages the IPERS Trust Fund Retirement Benefits Program. IPERS is a multiple-employer, cost-sharing pension plan with more than 423,000 active, inactive and retired members. IPERS is the largest public pension system in Iowa covering employees of schools, state agencies, counties, cities, townships and other public entities.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief Benefits Officer is responsible for administering the benefits and other services provided under the retirement system.

Responsibilities include:

• Manage and direct the administration of IPERS' retirement benefits program, including benefit calculations, payments, eligibility determinations and related internal policies and procedures.
• Establish goals and objectives for retirement benefit operations, coordinates implementation with staff and the CEO and contribute to policy development by assessing fiscal impacts, aligning benefits with investment objectives and preparing budget and staffing plans.
• Conduct program-related studies using internal data, collaborate with IPERS' actuarial firm on analyses requiring actuarial expertise and develop or evaluate legislative proposals focused on retirement benefits, Trust Fund sustainability and contribution rates.
• Serve as a resource on the details of the retirement benefits program for IPERS leaders, staff and other stakeholders.
• Review member / employer appeals of IPERS decisions, research specific details, consult with IPERS' general counsel and CEO and draft proposed response.
• Handle all sensitive discussions pertaining to the retirement benefits program initiated by key members of the state executive and legislative branches pertaining to their personal scenarios.
• Contribute to quality assurance testing of IPERS pension benefits system to ensure accuracy of formulas, calculations and the application of retirement program policies and rules.
• Maintain an ongoing awareness of all federal statutes and rules, IRS rules, Iowa statutes, rules and policies that govern the retirement benefits program. As directed by the CEO, give speeches and attend executive branch and legislative committee and subcommittee meetings.
• Exercise full supervisory responsibility by directing the work of subordinates and provide leadership, management and supervision of assigned staff.
• With the CEO, serve as the primary agency liaison to the IPERS Benefits Advisory Committee (BAC).

Salary and Benefits:

Annual salary of $124,051.20 to $176,384.00, depending on experience.

As an employee of IPERS, you are eligible for the State of Iowa comprehensive benefits package that includes the following and more:

• Health, Dental, Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance - Insurance begins on the first of the month following 30 days of employment. 2026 health and dental premiums can be found here.
• Paid time off - separate vacation and sick leave - accruals begin on day one.
• Paid holidays (nine per year)
• Flex Spending Accounts (medical and dependent care)
• Defined Benefit Retirement Plan (IPERS)
• Voluntary Retirement Plan (Retirement Investors Club)

Unlock the complete value of State of Iowa benefits with the Total Compensation Calculator.

Find out more: State of Iowa - Benefits at a Glance.

Finalists are subject to a background check.

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees' rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov

Graduation from an accredited four year college or university with an emphasis in business or public administration, political science or related areas such as personnel or human resources administration, accounting, or management science and the equivalent of five years of full-time supervisory

or

Management work experience in areas involving administration of employment benefits such as retirement benefits or retirement investments, health, dental, life or unemployment insurance, or professional level experience in areas involving the legislative process.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.