Financial Specialist jobs in Syracuse, NY

At Community Financial System, Inc. (CFSI), we are dedicated to providing our customers with friendly, personalized, high-quality financial services and products. Our retail division, Community Bank, N.A., operates more than 200 customer facilities across Upstate New York, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont and Western Massachusetts. Beyond retail banking, we also offer wealth management, investment management, insurance and risk management, and benefit plan administration.

Just as our employees are committed to helping our customers manage their finances, we’re committed to our employees. After all, they make it happen for our customers every day.

To ensure our people can enjoy long and successful careers here at CFSI, we offer competitive compensation, great benefits, and professional development and advancement opportunities. As an equal-opportunity workplace and affirmative-action employer, we celebrate and support a diverse workplace for the benefit of all: our employees, customers and communities.

The Retirement Plan Specialist is an internal contact for OneGroup Retirement Advisors' retirement plans, managing data, applications and paperwork requirements for the plan, as well as managing lines of communication to resolve service issues and enhance the overall client experience.  The Specialist will collaborate with sales, record keeping and Team staff to ensure plan alignment.  The Specialist will contribute to product development and process improvement efforts, promoting appropriate products, services and automation based on client assets and requirements.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Partner closely with Team advisors, Qualified Plan Specialist, team staff, and both current and prospective clients.
• Maintain overall understanding of the inter-workings and functions of OneGroup Retirement Advisors Employer Sponsored Plan divisions to aid and assist in communications between departments, help inform/educate departments on procedures and make sure the most efficient procedures are in place.
• Resolve service and communication issues through direct contact with sponsors, participants, vendors and Team advisors and staff.
• Assist with continued development, implementation and monitoring of Annual Plan Review procedures for the Team’s Employer Sponsored Plan division which includes plan pricing, onboarding of new relationships, quarterly plan reviews, annual platform audits, fund review and plan design.
• Participate in OneGroup Retirement Advisors Investment Committee including Annual Target Date Audit Committee and Plan Platform oversite committee.
• Monitor the Fiduciary Review process including such items as providing modifications of investment policy statements, fund menu changes and notification to participants in accordance with fiduciary obligations and guidelines.
• Provide plan design support to investment representatives and Pension Consultants for their current and potential clients. 
• Serves as client contact for plan implementation, conversion and plan communication to participants when necessary.
• Assists in preparation of Plan Quarterly Investment and Annual Plan Reviews, and oversight on delivery of reviews dependent on relationship. Ongoing plan review/audit and document maintenance within LPL RPCP Program and Firm Software. 
• Maintain proficient knowledge of, and demonstrate ongoing compliance with all laws and regulations applicable to this position, ensure ongoing adherence to policies, procedures, and internal controls, and meet all training requirements in a timely manner

• Recommended 2 years experience in employer sponsored / qualified retirement plan space
• FINRA Series SIE recommended, not required
• Life & Health license recommended, not required 
• Proficient in related technology, Microsoft office, Microsoft Teams, Excel, etc. with the ability to acquire new technical skills
• Work independently and be resourceful in supporting projects and tasks while providing regular updates
• Successfully manage multiple tasks/projects, meeting defined deadlines and prioritize work
• Utilize excellent organizations skills
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently with team members
• All applicants must be 18 years of age or older

Compensation: Commensurate with experience. In addition to your competitive salary, you will be rewarded benefits including: 11 paid holidays, paid vacation, Medical, Vision & Dental insurance, 401K with generous match, Pension, Tuition Reimbursement, Banking discounts and the list goes on!

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to stand, walk or sit. Use hands and fingers, handle or feel, reach with hands or arms, and speak and hear. The employee may occasionally be required to lift and or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to focus.

The Company is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

The Company will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with a disability. If you have a physical or mental impairment and would like to request an accommodation with respect to the application process, please contact the Human Resources Department.