Callan

Defined Contribution Research and Consulting, Vice President

Callan · San Francisco, CA
San Francisco, CA $120K–$150K Posted 2026-10-30
Salary
$120K–$150K
Type
Full-time
Experience
7+ yr
Visa sponsorship
Not offered

Callan is seeking a new team member to join our Defined Contribution Research and Consulting team. As a vice president at Callan, a leading independent investment consulting firm, you will have an opportunity to support some of the largest, most sophisticated plan sponsors in the U.S.

Our goal is to identify a candidate with a background in defined contribution (DC) administration, fees, governance, and compliance needs. Additionally, you should have a genuine interest in investments, data analysis, and reporting, intellectual curiosity, strong project and time management skills, and a true appreciation for the value of building strong, trusted relationships with clients and fellow Callan colleagues.

Please note: This position will be based in one of the above-mentioned Callan office locations, working a hybrid (office/home) work schedule, with approximately three days a week in the office. This position reports to Callan’s senior vice president and defined contribution practice leader.

What’s Unique About This Role?

Callan believes our organization and culture are made stronger through a broad array of perspectives and experiences. Collaborating with various teams throughout the company, you will work with some of the highest quality and most complex clients in the country to help them achieve their administrative and investment goals. Along with having an appreciation for Callan’s unique and collaborative culture, your ability to demonstrate success in the skill sets we seek is of greater importance than your years of experience.

Primary Duties

Recordkeeper Data Collection and Evaluation:
·          Partner with colleagues to support multiple client projects
·          Assist in recordkeeper RFPs, fee benchmarking studies, managed account reviews, governance support projects, among other projects
·          Conduct due diligence reviews of recordkeepers and other DC-related service providers

Subject Matter Expert:
·          Interact with clients and consultants on reviewing recordkeeper services
·          Generate analysis of recordkeeper services, fees, and managed accounts
·          Finalize and present quality deliverables to clients
·          Respond to special requests
·          Assist with the preparation of presentations and reports on changing laws and the impact on employers and their DC plans
·          Contribute to the development of new tools and approaches related to compliance consulting, recordkeeper searches, fee benchmarking studies, managed account reviews, etc.
·          Generate custom reports using various proprietary software programs

Mentorship and Department Resource:
·          Mentor junior analysts through training, review of work product, and ongoing interaction
·          Provide input regarding department enhancements (e.g., education/training, processes, workflow, deliverables)
·          Participate in new technology testing
·          Contribute to research projects and publish deliverables with other specialists/departments

Job Skills and Requirements

Skills:
·          Excellent and effective interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
·          Experience with DC plan administration, fees, governance, and compliance-related issues
·          Background knowledge of major DC plan recordkeepers
·          Experience with 401(a), 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), 457(f), and NQDC plans is preferred
·          Build and maintain relationships internally and externally
·          Advanced technical skills with Microsoft Office applications, including PowerPoint and Excel

Characteristics:
·          Strong experience in vendor administration, data analysis, and plan governance
·          Analytical, resourceful, and self-motivated
·          Responsive, detail-oriented, and accurate with the ability to meet deadlines
·          Ability to work independently in an unstructured environment managing multiple deadlines

Education and Experience:
·          Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in finance, statistics, mathematics, or related degree
·          Experience of 7+ years in the DC industry with experience evaluating recordkeepers

Compensation, Benefits & Training

At Callan, you can expect:
·          A generous compensation and benefits package, including base salary, bonus, 401(k) matching, profit-sharing, health/medical/dental/vision benefits, monthly communications stipend, tuition assistance, and more
·          Training for all Callan databases, research, and other systems
·          Access to team-building events, community outreach opportunities, and wellness events

As an employee-owned firm, Callan is committed to giving long-term successful professionals an opportunity to become equity partners. Visit www.callan.com/careers to learn more about Callan’s culture, benefits, and more.

About Callan
Callan was founded as an employee-owned investment consulting firm in 1973. Ever since, we have empowered institutional clients with creative, customized investment solutions backed by proprietary research, exclusive data, and ongoing education. Today, Callan provides advisory services to institutional investor clients more than $3 trillion in total assets, which makes it among the largest independently owned investment consulting firms in the U.S. Callan uses a client-focused consulting model to serve pension and defined contribution plan sponsors, endowments, foundations, independent investment advisers, investment managers, and other asset owners.

Callan has roughly 200 employees and is headquartered in San Francisco with five additional offices throughout the U.S. Learn more about us at www.callan.com.

Callan is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Research shows that some candidates tend to apply only if they meet 100% of the criteria. We are committed to leveling the playing field, and we encourage everyone to apply for positions even if they do not necessarily check every box outlined in the job description. Callan believes that our organization and culture are made stronger through a broad array of perspectives and experiences.

The range listed represents what we reasonably expect to pay for this role at the time of this posting. Depending on the qualifications and level of work experience of the ideal candidate, we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and may be modified in the future.

$60K — 10th pctl $230K — 90th pctl
This role’s midpoint $135K vs. market median $130K for Operations roles
~median
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