3(16) Governance Operations Analyst

Ascensus is the leading independent technology and service platform powering savings plans across America, providing products and expertise that help nearly 16 million people save for a better today and tomorrow.
Section 1: Position Summary

As a 3(16) Governance Operations Analyst, you will support ERISA §3(16) fiduciary operations by reviewing how plans are administered against documented 3(16) procedures. Your primary responsibility is to evaluate whether established procedures are being followed in practice and, when gaps are identified, recommend clear next steps to bring plans into alignment. This role focuses on structured procedural reviews, documentation alignment, and governance support.

Section 2: Job Functions, Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Procedural Review & Plan Evaluation
- Review assigned 3(16) plans to assess adherence to documented procedures and governance standards

- Evaluate whether day-to-day plan administration aligns with established 3(16) processes

- Identify gaps between documented procedures and actual execution

- Document review outcomes using established frameworks and templates

- Recommend practical next steps to address procedural gaps or inconsistencies

Governance & Documentation Support
- Maintain organized records supporting procedural reviews and governance oversight

- Review and recommend updates to procedures to reflect operational practices

- Assist in keeping governance documentation current, accurate, and clearly written

- Support continuous improvement of procedural clarity and consistency across plans

Issue Tracking & Follow-Up
- Track identified procedural gaps, follow-up items, and remediation actions

- Partner with internal stakeholders to confirm corrective steps have been completed

- Escalate material risks or unresolved issues to management as appropriate

Reporting & Collaboration
- Prepare summary reports and trackers related to procedural reviews and alignment status

- Assist with trend identification related to recurring procedural gaps

- Serve as a resource for questions related to 3(16) procedures and governance expectations

- Collaborate with operations, compliance, and leadership teams as needed

- Responsible for protecting, securing, and proper handling of all confidential data held by Ascensus to ensure against unauthorized access, improper transmission, and/or unapproved disclosure of information that could result in harm to Ascensus or our clients.

- At Ascensus we are guided by our Core Values of People Matter, Quality First and Integrity Always®. They inspire us every day to prioritize an environment of respect for those we serve and one another and should be visible in your actions on a day-to-day.

Supervision
- N/A

Section 3: Experience, Skills, Knowledge Requirements
Required Qualifications
- 1 to 3 years of experience in retirement operations, compliance, governance, or a related field

- Bachelor’s degree in business or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience

- Strong attention to detail and ability to follow structured review standards

- Experience reviewing procedures, workflows, or documentation

- Clear written communication skills

- Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams)

- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with others

Preferred Qualifications
- Exposure to ERISA or retirement plan administration

- Experience supporting procedural reviews or operational assessments

- Interest in governance, fiduciary operations, or process improvement

- Industry certifications such as QKA or CRPS are a plus but not required

How Success Is Measured
- Timely and accurate completion of assigned procedural reviews

- Clear identification of procedural gaps and actionable recommendations

- Improved alignment between documented procedures and plan execution

- Well-maintained and current govern