Project and Operations Lead - Springfield, IL

It is inspiring to work in an organization where individuals are deeply committed to the mission and values that drive our success. · We are dedicated to delivering expert pension service to Illinois public educators as they earn their promised retirement security. · Under the di ...

Job description

It is inspiring to work in an organization where individuals are deeply committed to the mission and values that drive our success.

We are dedicated to delivering expert pension service to Illinois public educators as they earn their promised retirement security.

Under the direction of the Director of Finance, this position serves in a blended role providing both pension administration project functional leadership and operational oversight support for Employer Services. The position plays a key role in the multi-year pension administration system modernization initiative by providing business expertise, statutory interpretation, and functional guidance to ensure system solutions align with TRS rules, processes, and compliance requirements.

In addition, this role provides experienced review, coaching, and quality oversight support within Employer Services, assisting with work review, issue resolution, and consistent application of policies and procedures. This blended role is designed to support long-term project needs while strengthening operational consistency, risk management, and service delivery during and beyond the modernization effort. This role provides oversight, guidance, and coaching support but does not include formal supervisory authority.

Essential Functions:

• Serve as a business-side subject matter expert for pension administration processes, statutory requirements, and employer reporting rules in support of the pension administration system modernization project.
• Collaborate with IT, vendors, consultants, and internal stakeholders to define, document, validate, and test business requirements and system functionality.
• Analyze existing business processes and recommend improvements aligned with best practices, system capabilities, and compliance requirements.
• Support User Acceptance Testing (UAT), including development and review of test scenarios, validation of outcomes, and coordination of issue resolution.
• Assess operational readiness and support change management activities related to system implementation, including input into training materials and procedural documentation.
• Maintain ongoing awareness of pension laws, IRS requirements, and regulatory changes to ensure continued compliance throughout system design and implementation.
• Provide experienced review and quality oversight of Employer Services work products to ensure accuracy, completeness, compliance with statute, and consistency with TRS policies and procedures.
• Serve as a resource to Employer Services staff and supervisors for interpretation of pension rules, complex reporting issues, and resolution of escalated or non-routine employer matters, coordinating with subject-matter experts as needed.
• Support consistent application of expectations related to documentation, communication, and ethical standards across Employer Services functions.
• Provide coaching and feedback to staff to promote professional development, improve work quality, and reduce recurring errors or rework.
• Serve as an employer administrator for TRS pension systems (including Gemini and STAR), assisting with employer inquiries, reporting issues, data corrections, past-due reports and payments, and system access.
• Compile and organize data to support departmental reporting, waivers, past-due documentation, FOIA requests, third-party surveys, and benchmarking activities.
• Assist with special projects and perform other duties as required or assigned.

Knowledge, Skill, Ability:

• Strong knowledge of public pension administration, including statutory requirements, employer reporting rules, and compliance considerations.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data, identify issues, and develop effective, compliant solutions.
• Experience collaborating across business, IT, and vendor teams to support system implementation and operational improvements.
• Ability to review work for accuracy, completeness, and compliance and provide clear, constructive feedback.
• Working knowledge of business systems and testing processes, including requirements documentation and User Acceptance Testing.
• Effective organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to influence and guide others without direct supervisory authority to promote consistent standards and practices.
• Demonstrated sound judgment and discretion when addressing compliance, documentation, and sensitive operational matters.

Minimum requirements:

• A bachelor's degree in business administration, computer science, information technology or related field. Equivalent knowledge and experience directly related to the position may be substituted

• 4+ years of experience with public pension systems or related regulated environments

• 3+ years of experience as a business analyst, project manager or related skill set

If you thrive in a dynamic environment and enjoy collaborating with driven, enthusiastic professionals, you will find a rewarding career with us.

For Illinois job seekers:

Pay Range

$80, $125,758.00

Compensation will be determined based on the qualifications and experience of each candidate.

Benefits

TRS is an agency of the State of Illinois. As such, full and part-time employees are eligible for the State of Illinois comprehensive benefits program which includes medical, dental and vision coverage. All employees participate in the TRS retirement pension plan and have the option to contribute to additional State of Illinois deferred compensation plans. The TRS pension plan is a reciprocal system to other state and local pension plans (SERS, SURS, IMRF, etc.)