Job Requisition ID: 53217
Closing Date: 02/06/2026
Agency: Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois
Class Title: MANAGER - 81550
Salary: $92,295 - $143,980 or $96,910 - $151,179 (Lisle)
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: DuPage; Sangamon
Number of Vacancies: 1
Please follow the directions below when applying for this position.
**DO NOT CLICK THE APPLY BUTTON**
TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION PLEASE VISIT THE TRS WEBSITE:
Careers | Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois
The Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois (TRS) is one of the largest public pension systems in the United States. We provide retirement, disability and survivor benefits to teachers, administrators and other public-school personnel employed outside the city of Chicago.
TRS serves over 456,000 members and manages a multi-billion-dollar investment portfolio for the exclusive benefit of the membership.
TRS is an agency of the State of Illinois governed by a Board of Trustees. Full-and part-time employees are eligible for the State of Illinois comprehensive benefits program which includes medical, dental and vision coverage. All employees hired after August 17, 2001 participate in the TRS retirement pension plan. Employees also have the option to contribute to additional State of Illinois deferred compensation plans. The TRS pension plan is a participating reciprocal system under the Illinois Pension Code Retirement Systems Reciprocal Act.
Learn more about careers at TRS: Careers | Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois
Job Summary
Under the direction of the Chief Benefits Officer, the Member Services Outreach Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing the Member Services Outreach Department, including the direct supervision and development of the Outreach Coordinators. The role is responsible for planning, developing, executing and evaluating a comprehensive member education and engagement program designed to enhance the knowledge and understanding of TRS benefits and retirement security in alignment with TRS organizational goals. This position may work closely with other internal and external stakeholders such as Counseling, Communications, Deferred Compensation, the Supplemental Savings Plan education representatives and Employer Services to develop stakeholder relationships and coordinate messaging, including but not limited to TRS’s mission and vision, TRS benefits, as well as legislation affecting the System.
This position requires good organization, planning, and the ability to effectively articulate TRS’s mission, vision and statutory requirements. The incumbent must be able to work independently, prioritize and follow through on assignments. The incumbent must possess a comprehensive understanding of the Pension Code, Administrative Rules, TRS rules and procedures, and benefits provided through the Teachers’ Retirement Insurance Program (TRIP) and the State of Illinois Group Insurance Program. Travel and evening work is required.
Essential Functions
- Develop and implement annual external education, outreach, and communication strategies to increase awareness and understanding of retirement security among active members, retirees, and key stakeholders.
- Develop annual schedule of field education services. Coordinate schedules and actively seek opportunities for engagement by developing and leveraging relationships with school districts and other stakeholders to expand educational outreach.
- Support TRS SSP Plan member education by coordinating outreach programs and materials with internal and external stakeholders.
- Coordinate with Counseling Managers regarding scheduling and content of meetings including but not limited to Fall Benefits Information meetings, “It’s Time to Retire” and “What’s Next” presentations.
- Determine when an executive level presence at stakeholder meetings would be appropriate and beneficial.
- Evaluate oral presentations made by Outreach staff to member and stakeholder groups.
Essential Functions (Continued)
- Design the content and development of TRS outreach documents and materials.
- Develop presentations to meet the needs of different audiences.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of field education services to maximize outreach functions. Utilize various methods of soliciting feedback and identify areas needing improvement.
- Manage assessment and evaluation tools to collect and analyze data, using insights to identify strengths, address gaps, and drive continuous improvement efforts.
- Provide feedback to the Chief Benefits Officer and others as required regarding the effectiveness of the field services program.
- Attend internal meetings and huddles to communicate member issues and concerns to TRS staff and management.
Essential Functions (Continued)
- Track and report various statistics for the outreach program.
- Build and maintain constructive relationships with stakeholder groups including active teacher organizations, organizations representing annuitants and groups representing school management.
- Attend meetings of stakeholder groups.
- Maintain a basic knowledge of the legislative process and on-going legislative activities and an awareness of programs and activities of state and federal agencies that have a connection with or potential impact on the System, including but not limited to Social Security and Medicare.
- Maintain an understanding of existing statutory requirements, rules, and procedures that determine retirement options and benefits.
- Perform other duties as required or assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Possesses a high degree of initiative
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
- Develops and delivers effective presentations
- Ability to positively represent the organization with external constituents
Minimum Requirements
- 3-5 years in outreach, benefits education, communications, public relations or stakeholder engagement with some leadership experience
- Bachelor’s degree in communication, marketing, public relations, finance education or a related field
- This position requires a valid driver’s license
Work Hours: 8:30 - 4:30 M-F
Headquarter Location: 2815 W. Washington St., Springfield, IL 62702-3397
Work County: Sangamon or DuPage
Agency Contact: Christina Lonbom
Email: clonbom@trsil.org
Phone #: 217-814-2226
Posting Group: Education
TRS is a non-code state agency.
**APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS**
Candidates must submit applications through the TRS Careers Website:
Careers | Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois
Please follow all instructions and include all required documents. You WILL NOT be considered for the position if you attach a CMS100, CMS100b or any other document in lieu of a Resume or CV.
TRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or completing any pre-employment testing, please direct your inquiries to Human Resources at (217) 814-2111, or HRServices@trsil.org. Hiring decisions are not based on or affected by political factors, including political sponsorship, affiliation, or support.
