Working Title: Chief Operations Officer
Job Class: State Program Administrator, Manager Principal
Agency: Teachers Retirement Association
Job ID : 90681
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted : 12/08/2025
Closing Date : 01/05/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Teachers Retirement Assoc / TRA-Managerial
Division/Unit : TRA Operations
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : Yes - 10%
Salary Range: $48.45 - $69.48 / hourly; $101,163 - $145,074 / annually
Classified Status : Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 220 - Manager/Unrep
FLSA Status : Exempt - Executive
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes
The work you'll do is more than just a job.
At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.
Job Summary
Teachers Retirement Association (TRA) has been providing pension coverage to Minnesota educators for decades, with a mission to help members and their beneficiaries plan for an independent and financially secure retirement. We are currently seeking job candidates with a strong background in strategic leadership, communication, program evaluation, and project management to serve as our Chief Operations Officer.
Our Chief Operations Officer position exists to provide executive control and oversight of TRA's Pension Administration Division, Communications Division, and the Business Strategy Division, areas which consist of nearly half of the organization's personnel. The incumbent will coordinate the business operations of the association by providing direction to the Pension Administration Manager, Communications Director, and the Chief Strategy Officer, reporting accomplishments to the TRA Executive Team and the TRA Board of Trustees. The position will also sponsor or lead critical projects that help TRA to met its organizational goals and objectives.
This position is located in our Saint Paul, Minnesota office, and will require the incumbent to work a schedule that includes in-person work. Travel may be required up to 10% of the time for this role.
Minimum Qualifications
Three (3) years of experience managing or supervising multiple teams simultaneously in order to meet organizational objectives.
A Bachelor's degree in Organizational Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, or a closely related field may substitute for one (1) year of experience.
Experience must further demonstrate:
Excellent oral communication, written ability, and presentation skills to articulate complex and technical topics with clarity to a variety of audiences, and provide expert consultation to Executive Management and the TRA Board of Trustees on operational decisions and organizational policy.
Proven leadership ability and interpersonal skills to build collaborative relationships; negotiate; resolve sensitive matters; manage change; influence decision-making; effectively motivate and manage a diverse team; and champion a work culture that advocates for inclusion.
Supervision and guidance of employees at varied job levels, including employees in leadership roles.
Successful budget management and financial acumen.
Considerable knowledge of project and risk management principles, as well as strategic planning concepts and methods.
Advanced data research, analysis, and interpretation skills sufficient to evaluate program effectiveness in order to set goals, as well as recommend and lead process improvements.
A record of successfully overseeing and implementing interdepartmental, divisional, or enterprise-wide projects or initiatives.
Proficiency in using Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook; Cisco WebEx; or equivalent software packages.
Successful candidates must also possess the ability to secure their transportation for in-state business travel and/or conferences. Travel may be required up to 10% of the time for this role.
Preferred Qualifications
Master's Degree in Organizational Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, or a closely related field.
Knowledge of pension or retirement plan design, function and administration.
Experience managing staff in a union environment.
Experience working with legislative processes and/or governmental relations.
Experience participating in communications strategy development.
Experience leading teams providing customer and/or financial services.
Experience working with and presenting to boards.
Physical Requirements
This position requires occasional transporting of articles such as file folders, ledgers and/or small tools. May be required to move or maintain a stationary position for long periods of time.
Additional Requirements
Successful candidates must pass past-employer reference checks and a criminal background check.
It is the policy of TRA that all finalist(s) submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:
State of Minnesota state government employment records check (applies to current and past State of Minnesota state government employees only)
Criminal History Check
Employment Reference Check
Social Security and Address Verification
Education Verification
Driver's License Check
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.
