Public Service Executive

Public Service Executive

Salary

$115,252.80 - $179,920.00 Annually

Location

Des Moines - 50319 - Polk County, IA

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

27-01365

Agency

553 Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS)

Opening Date

11/09/2026

Closing Date

11/30/2026 11:59 PM Central

LinkedIn Tag

#LI-DNP

Point of Contact

HR@ipers.org

To Apply

Applicants are encouraged to attach a resume and cover letter to their NeoGov application

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Description

This is a non-merit position. Candidates must follow the instructions in the "To Apply" section.

Public Service Executive

The Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS) is the fiduciary responsible for administering the IPERS Trust Fund. IPERS members represent most of Iowa's hard-working public sector employees, including educators, first responders, law enforcement and more. IPERS' mission is to support its membership - Iowa's public workforce - with the prudent management of the IPERS Trust Fund.

At the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS), we believe that every employee plays an integral role in our success. We take pride in maintaining our status as one of the nation's most well-funded public retirement plans.

Who we're looking for:

We want driven, forward-thinking leaders to make a lasting impact on the financial security of Iowas public servants. Ideal candidates bring a strong commitment to public sector goals and the ability to navigate complex situations under strict deadlines. Strong organizational skills, independent time management, and excellent interpersonal abilities to resolve conflicts are essential for success.

What you'll do:

As the Chief of Business Operations (Public Service Executive), you will serve as a key executive advisor to the CEO and provide strategic leadership over IPERS Business Operations Division. In this role, you will have executive oversight of the agencys pension administration system, manage processes that support a $50B+ trust fund, serve over 185,000 active members, and successfully deliver more than $2.9B in annual member payroll and refunds.

• Executive Division Leadership: Provide strategic direction and oversight to the Business Operations Division, ensuring operational efficiency and high-level service delivery.
• Pension System Innovation: Drive enhancements to the core pension administration system, focusing on optimizing internal operations, increasing efficiency, and advancing external self-service portals for members and employers.
• Technical Operations Oversight: Direct technical, system-related, and data processes within the Retirement Automation Bureau, including data management, automation, system maintenance, and agency-wide reporting.
• Core Business Management: Optimize internal processes for large-scale operations, including benefit calculations, tax withholdings, financial contributions, service credit purchases, and application processing.
• Systems Enablement & QA: Oversee business analysis functions, application support, quality assurance testing, release management, and training programs across the agency.
• Project & Vendor Management: Champion agency-wide and inter-agency projects while stewarding critical relationships and contracts with vendors, service providers, and state partners.
• Strategic Collaboration & Policy Alignment: Partner with division leaders to evaluate the operational impact of complex legislative, administrative code, or retirement plan changes.
• Workforce Mentorship: Supervise, develop, and evaluate professional management and support staff to maintain exceptional service standards.

Why you'll love this role:

• High-Impact Stewardship: You will directly shape the operational success of a $50B+ trust fund, positively impacting the financial security and retirement futures of over 185,000 active members and beneficiaries.
• Drive Large-Scale Innovation: You will serve as the executive sponsor for cutting-edge enhancements to IPERS pension administration systems, spearheading modern self-service portals and technical automation that transform how members and employers interact with the agency.
• Executive-Level Influence: As a trusted advisor to the CEO, your strategic decisions, policy developments, and management controls will directly influence agency-wide service delivery and long-term modernization efforts.
• Collaborative Leadership Culture: You will lead and mentor a highly skilled team of managers and professional staff within a collaborative environment that values continuous professional growth, creative problem solving, and operational excellence.
• Top-Tier Retirement Stability: Secure your own future with enrollment in IPERS' revered defined-benefit pension plan, recognized as one of the healthiest and most stable public funds in the nation.
• Excellent State Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive, highly affordable state health insurance and dental package along with strong work-life balance policies.

A successful candidate will bring or have the ability and desire to learn:

• Strategic Retirement Operations: Master the intricate provisions of public pension administration and complex plan structures to effectively manage a division responsible for delivering $2.9B+ in annual payments.
• System Innovation & Deployment: Drive large-scale modernizations of core pension administration systems, including managing application support, release cycles, and quality assurance testing.
• Data & Process Automation: Champion data management, system reporting, workflows, and technical automation strategies.
• Executive Vendor Stewardship: Oversee high-value agency contracts and build strategic, lasting business relationships with key service providers and state partners.
• Collaborative Enterprise Leadership: Partner effectively with the CEO and cross-functional division leaders to assess the impacts of administrative code, law changes, and legislative updates.
• People-First Management: Cultivate, mentor, and evaluate a high-performing team of managers and professional staff.

Elevate Your Application

Candidates are encouraged to include detailed information about their relevant experience in their application or submit a cover letter and resume in addition to their application. If you wish to review a copy of the Position Description Questionnaire, please contact HR@IPERS.org

Preferred Qualifications:

• Executive Leadership: Bachelors or Masters degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Information Systems, Finance, or a related field, combined with extensive senior-level management experience leading large operational divisions.
• Large-Scale Operations Management: Proven track record managing multi-million-dollar operating budgets and executing complex, high-value vendor contracts in compliance with public procurement rules.
• System & Enterprise Stewardship: Demonstrated success overseeing enterprise-level application support, software deployment cycles, quality assurance testing, and release management.

Skills that will set you apart:

• Strategic Business Analysis: Mastery of optimizing internal workflows, establishing operational controls, mapping complex business rules, and managing resource allocations for high-volume transactions.
• Modernization Champion: Ability to translate vision into action by serving as an executive sponsor for digital transformation projects and customer-facing self-service portals.
• Diplomatic Stakeholder Communication: High-level capability to establish recurring communication strategies, build consensus across agencies, and advise executive leadership on trust-fund impacts.

Bonus skills we love:

• Public Pension Expertise: Deep familiarity with public retirement plan structures, complex benefit calculations, or government financial systems.
• Agile Framework Familiarity: Understanding of modern agile project management, business continuity planning, and disaster recovery processes.
• Regulatory Navigation: Talent for interpreting highly complex administrative codes, state statutes, or federal regulations and implementing them into system processes.

Great-to-Have Experience:

• Automation Exposure: Prior experience collaborating with or managing data automation, data management, and data-reporting teams.
• Cross-Functional Team Mentorship: A background in directly managing other supervisors and professional managers.
• System Integration Lifecycle: Experience acting as the bridge between business operations units and infrastructure IT support during massive system migrations.

To ensure full consideration for this position, all requested materials must be completed and uploaded through the NEOGov online application process.

Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday; some nights and weekends, occasional in-state and out-of-state travel. Hybrid schedule may be considered after 6 months.

Beyond the Paycheck

Your wage is just one part of your total compensation. The State of Iowa's commitment to its employees is demonstrated by the compensation and benefits package provided to you. In addition to your direct compensation as a State of Iowa employee, we provide a variety of benefit plans and programs for you and your family, including discounts from a variety of vendors.

Reclaim your personal time with massive paid time off packages, including generous vacation accrual, separate sick leave, and 9 paid statutory holidays every year.

Unlock the complete value of the State of Iowa benefits with our Total Compensation Calculator. It offers a comprehensive view of what your annual compensation could look like, encompassing salary, State-provided benefits and more. This tool empowers you to make more informed decisions and discover the potential earnings associated with the position you are considering.

Final candidates will be subject to a background check.

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees' rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visitwww.e-verify.gov.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and experience equal to seven years of full-time management-level work in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation.

2) Eleven years of full-time management-level work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation.

3) All of the following (a and b):

a. Seven years of full-time management-level work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation; and

b. A combination of a total of four years of education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience. Graduation from the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program is also equivalent to one year of full-time experience or education.

4) All of the following (a, b, and c):

a. Five years of full-time management-level work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation; and

b. A combination of a total of four years of education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience; and

c. A combination of a total of two years of graduate-level education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university course work in a public-service-related area (e.g., public or business administration, social work, law, education, engineering) equals one year of full-time experience. Graduation from the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program is also equivalent to one year of full-time experience or education.

5) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes one year of full-time work as a Public Service Manager 1, Public Service Manager 2, or comparable specific management-level position.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.

Why Choose the State of Iowa?

At the heart of our commitment to excellence is a dedication to our most valuable asset - our employees. Discover the outstanding benefits that set us apart as an employer of choice.

Our Robust Benefits Package Includes:

Competitive Compensation:

Enjoy a competitive salary that reflects directly on your skills and expertise.

Keep in mind, your wage is just one part of your total compensation. Unlock the complete value of your employment with the State of Iowa by using our user-friendly Total Compensation Calculator. Gain insights into your comprehensive annual compensation, including salary and State-provided benefits.

Health and Wellness:

Prioritize your well-being with our comprehensive health plans, including medical, dental, and vision coverage. Enjoy the peace of mind knowing that the State of Iowa covers 90% of the premiums, providing you and your loved ones with excellent coverage at a remarkably low cost.

Retirement Planning:

We are proud to offer the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS). A defined benefit plan, IPERS benefits are guaranteed for life, meaning once you retire, you will receive the same monthly benefit for the remainder of your life (once vested). We invest in your long-term financial well-being, so you can retire with peace of mind. Click here to learn more about IPERS.

Paid Time Off:

Life is unpredictable, and at the State of Iowa, we understand the importance of work-life balance. Our leave policies, including paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave with unlimited accrual, ensure you have the flexibility you need for personal and family matters.

Professional Development:

Elevate your career with continuous learning opportunities. We support your growth through training programs, workshops, and tuition reimbursement.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP):

We care about your well-being beyond the workplace. Access confidential counseling, resources, and support through our Employee Assistance Program.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces all backgrounds and perspectives. We believe diversity is a strength that drives innovation.

Join Us - Elevate Your Career:

Ready to elevate your career with the State of Iowa? Click here to explore more about our unparalleled benefits and discover what makes us unique. Your success is our priority!

01

Do you understand that the answers to all of the following questions must be truthful, honest, and accurate to the best of your ability? Please read all questions and answers thoroughly and make sure you understand them completely. Ensure the answers to your questions match the information filled out on your application and the attachments you have uploaded. If the answers to your questions are inconsistent with your application information or uploaded attachments, you will be given zero points for the question. Knowingly misrepresenting the facts when submitting any information related to an application, examination, certification, appeal, or any other facet of the selection process will result in your disqualification from this application and future employment with the state of Iowa.

• Yes - I understand and agree.
• No

02

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Have you filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq?

• No - I have NOT filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq
• Yes - I HAVE filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq

03

Have you graduated from an accredited four-year college or university? IF YES- How many years of experience do you have of full-time management-level work in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation?

• I have not graduated from an accredited four-year college or university
• Less than three years of experience in the identified areas
• Three years to less than seven years of experience in the identified areas
• Seven years or more of experience in the identified areas

04

How many years of experience do you have of full-time management-level work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation?

• I do not have any experience in the identified areas
• Less than five years of experience in the identified areas
• Five years to less than 11 years of experience in the identified areas
• Eleven years or more of experience in the identified areas

05

Do you have seven years of full-time work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation? IF YES - How many years do you have of a combination of post high school education AND/OR ADDITIONAL experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation? 30 semester hours equals one year of experience. Applicants must not count the same experience that was used to qualify on the first portion of the question. The experience must be ADDITIONAL experience in the identified areas. NOTE - Graduation from the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program is also equivalent to one year of full-time experience or education.

• I do not have seven years of full-time work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation
• Less than four years of the combined education and/or experience
• Four years or more of the combined education and/or experience

06

Please review all three parts of the question - "A, B and C" Your final answer will be your answer to Part "C". A. Do you have five years of full-time work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation? IF YES - PLEASE REVIEW "B" B. Do you have a combination of a total of four years of post high school education and/or full-time experience (as described in part A)? Thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience. APPLICANTS MUST NOT USE THE SAME EXPERIENCE AS WAS USED FOR PART A. IT MUST BE ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE. IF YES- PLEASE REVIEW "C" C. How many years do you have of a combination of accredited GRADUATE college or university course work in a public-service-related area (e.g., public or business administration, social work, law, education, engineering) and/or experience (as described in PART A)? Twenty-four semester hours equals one year of experience. APPLICANTS MUST NOT USE THE SAME EXPERIENCE AS WAS USED FOR PARTS A and B. IT MUST BE ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE. NOTE- For Part "C" - Graduation from the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program is also equivalent to one year of full-time experience or graduate education.

• I do not have any of the graduate level education and/or experience
• Less than two years of the combined graduate level education and/or experience
• Two years or more of the combined graduate level education and/or experience

07

Are you a current State of Iowa employee (executive branch)? IF YES - How many months do you have of full-time experience in the classification of Public Service Manager 1, Public Service Manager 2, or comparable specific management-level position for the State of Iowa?

• I am not a State of Iowa employee
• I do not have any experience in the identified areas
• Less than 12 months of experience in the classification of Public Service Manager 1, Public Service Manager 2, or comparable specific management-level position for the State of Iowa
• 12 months or more of experience in the classification of Public Service Manager 1, Public Service Manager 2, or comparable specific management-level position for the State of Iowa

Required Question

Employer State of Iowa

Agency 553 Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS) Address 7401 Register Dr

Des Moines, Iowa, 50321

Website https://www.ipers.org/