What are the responsibilities and job description for the Operations Coordinator position at Retirement Planology, Inc.?
Operations Coordinator
Boutique Retirement Plan Advisory Firm
Old Town Alexandria, VA • Full-Time or Part-Time • In-Office (Hybrid after training)
*The Opportunity*
If you value big company culture, this isn’t the right role:
• We don’t have a large corporate structure with siloed roles
• We can’t compete with Google’s free lunch
• We don’t have a corporate wellness program
• We’re not a brand name you’ll impress people with
But if you value:
• Doing meaningful work with real impact
• Being part of a small, interconnected team where you matter
• Learning a specialized industry
• Opportunities to grow and take on more responsibility over time
• Direct mentorship from experienced partners
This role is perfect for someone who:
• Thrives on organization, meticulous execution, and refining systems
• Takes great pride in being the reliable, detail-oriented professional who prevents errors and ensures deadlines are always met
• Enjoys identifying bottlenecks and optimizing workflows for efficiency
• Communicates exceptionally well — in writing especially — and takes ownership of what goes out the door
• Sees this as a possible stepping stone to Operations Manager or Client Service Specialist roles
• Wants to learn the retirement plan industry
• Values the role ownership and direct impact inherent to small businesses
• Has worked in a true private-sector environment and understands what that means
*The Role*
As our Operations Coordinator, you’ll be part of the operational backbone of our firm, handling the essential administrative tasks and operational workflows that ensure the firm can deliver exceptional client service.
Administrative Coordination (~30%)
This core function ensures partners can focus on high-value client work.
• Manage partner calendars and schedule meetings
• Handle email inbox triage and responses
• Coordinate meeting logistics (Zoom links, reminders, confirmations)
• Proactively identify opportunities to streamline operational workflows
• Maintain filing systems and document organization
• Process routine correspondence
Client Support (~30%)
You are the vital link in client communication and service delivery, ensuring all materials are accurate and timely.
• Prepare meeting materials and agendas for client and prospect meetings
• Support meeting notes preparation and distribution
• Manage document distribution to clients
• Track client work, project status, and deadlines — nothing falls through the cracks
• Respond to routine client inquiries professionally and promptly
CRM & Data Management (~25%)
You own the integrity and accuracy of the firm’s client and operational data.
• Maintain Salesforce records (contacts, accounts, opportunities)
• Log interactions and communications
• Update contact information and account details
• Generate essential operational reports
• Ensure data accuracy and completeness across all platforms
Vendor & Recordkeeper Coordination (~15%)
You facilitate the exchange of necessary information between the firm and external partners.
• Track outstanding requests to recordkeepers (Ascensus, Empower, Fidelity, etc.)
• Follow up on pending items and drive projects forward
• Coordinate document exchanges with vendors and maintain vendor database
• Escalate issues to partners promptly when needed
*About Us*
We’re a boutique retirement plan advisory firm specializing in fiduciary consulting and investment advisory for 401(k) and 403(b) plans. Our clients are growing companies and nonprofits that need expert guidance in navigating retirement plan compliance, investment oversight, and participant education.
Our Culture:
• Small team with big impact
• Client-first, proactive service
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Work-life balance (we practice what we preach about financial wellness)
Location: Historic Old Town Alexandria, Virginia (King Street Metro area)
*Qualifications*
Required
• 2–4 years of professional administrative or operations experience in a true private-sector environment (not government, not government contracting)
• Small firm or startup experience strongly preferred — you understand the “wear many hats” mentality
• Salesforce or CRM experience (basic exposure counts)
• Microsoft Word and Excel, intermediate level required — you’ll use both regularly and be expected to produce polished, error-free documents
• Exceptional written English — you will be one of the last sets of eyes on client-facing communications before they reach C-suite executives, and our brand depends on it
• Strong verbal communication skills
• Self-starter mentality — small team means you’ll work independently and use good judgment
• Proficiency in Google Workspace, AI tools (Gemini, ChatGPT, or similar), and task/project management software (Monday.com, Asana, or similar)
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines without dropping the ball
• Professional demeanor and genuine client-service orientation
Bonus Points For
• Financial services industry experience (banking, insurance, investments, accounting)
• Retirement plan industry familiarity (401(k), 403(b), pension plans)
• Experience with recordkeeper systems (Ascensus, Empower, Fidelity, etc.)
• QKA, QPA, or other retirement plan certifications (or in progress)
• Experience at a firm with fewer than 25 employees
*What Else We're Looking For*
The Right Person:
• Proactive, not reactive — sees what needs to be done and does it
• Systems-minded — loves creating order from chaos and looks beyond the immediate task
• A natural problem-solver — identifies issues before they escalate and proposes solutions rather than just flagging problems
• Communicative — keeps stakeholders informed without being prompted
• Detail-obsessed — nothing slips through the cracks on your watch
• Growth-oriented — likes to iterate, improve, and take on more over time
• Self-aware — knows your strengths and asks for help when needed
• Can-do attitude — finds energy (not stress) in variety and direct impact
• Client-focused — shares our service mindset
The Wrong Person:
• Needs extensive hand-holding and constant supervision
• Prefers a highly structured, predictable 9-5 punch-clock mentality
• Can’t work independently or make judgment calls
• Wants a corporate career ladder with 15 titles
• Needs to be chased for updates or doesn’t flag issues early
• Is uncomfortable with the pace and informality of a small private firm
If you’re the right person, you’ll know it. Apply!
*Compensation & Benefits*
Base Salary:
• $58,000–$62,000 annually for full-time; prorated for part-time arrangements
• Performance bonus potential (Year 2 )
Benefits:
• 401(k) with 3% employer contribution
• 18 days PTO 11 federal holidays birthday
• QSEHRA health benefit ($537.50/month toward individual health insurance)
• Monthly parking covered
• $1,000 annual budget for professional development
• Hybrid schedule after 6-month training period (3 days/week in office)
• Growth opportunities into client service or operations management
Work Environment:
• Full-time in office during 6-month training period — you’ll learn faster with direct mentorship
• Hybrid schedule (3 days/week in office) after training
• Historic Old Town Alexandria location (walkable to restaurants, shops, and King Street Metro)
• Small team with direct partner access
We’re open to full-time or part-time arrangements for the right candidate. If you can commit to consistent, reliable hours that cover our core needs, whether that’s 40 hours or closer to 30, we’re happy to discuss a schedule that works for both sides. During the training period, we ask for regular in-office presence, with some flexibility on days.
*The Hiring Process*
We respect your time and ours. Here’s what to expect:
1. Apply — Submit your materials. If there’s a fit, you’ll advance to a Zoom screen.
2. Zoom Screen (30-45 minutes) — We’ll spend the first part learning about your background and goals and confirming compensation expectations. You should ask questions about the role and our culture. The remaining time includes a brief shared-screen skills exercise to see how you work.
3. Video Interview (60 minutes) — Meet both partners. Discuss experience, work style, and scenarios in depth.
4. Reference Checks — We’ll check 2–3 references before the in-office round.
5. In-Office Interview (60 minutes) — See our workspace. Working session with a sample task. Final questions both ways.
6. Offer — If we’re mutually excited, we’ll extend an offer.
Timeline: ideally 2–4 weeks from application to offer.
*How to Apply*
Apply directly through LinkedIn. In lieu of a traditional cover letter, please answer the following four questions in your application message (a few sentences each is fine):
- Why are you interested in this role at a small firm, specifically, and not just any operations role?
- What interests you about the retirement plan industry or financial services?
- Tell us about a time you identified a problem at work before it became a bigger issue. What did you do?
- Tell us about your career interests and what you're looking to learn
Please do NOT:
• Send generic responses that could apply to any job (“I’m detail-oriented and a team player” is not an answer)
• Apply if you’re looking for a large corporate environment or a government-adjacent role
• Apply if the compensation range isn’t a genuine fit for where you are in your career
Questions? We’re happy to answer questions about the role, compensation, growth path, or anything else.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We hope to hire in time for a Q3 2026 start.
Salary : $58,000 - $62,000