ESOP Operations Specialist

ESOP Operations Specialist — LJA Business Solutions

What LJA Has To

Offer:

LJA is an employee-owned company offering opportunities to collaborate with dedicated leaders, gain hands-on experience, and work with a broad range of clients and services. LJA emphasizes flexibility, continuous learning, and a culture that values respect and teamwork.

POSITION OVERVIEW: As an ESOP Operations Specialist at LJA Business Solutions, you will oversee the day-to-day financial and operational functions of the company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). You will report directly to the Director of Finance and serve as the company’s in-house expert for ESOP-related matters. The ideal candidate has a strong ESOP accounting background, experience managing large plan operations, and familiarity with engineering or architecture business models.

Our firm generates over $500 million in annual revenue and supports approximately 3,000 ESOP participants.

A TYPICAL DAY MIGHT INCLUDE:

• Oversee the administration of the internally leveraged ESOP, ensuring compliance with ERISA, IRS, and DOL regulations.
• Manage the accounting and tracking of ESOP cash flows, including amortization schedules and note payment activity.
• Coordinate the ESOP valuation process, ensuring timely and accurate data delivery to external valuation firms.
• Manage ESOP-related cash flows, including company contributions, outflows, and share allocations.
• Forecast and track repurchase obligations (RPO), and coordinate periodic RPO studies with third-party advisors.
• Manage annual ESOP census activities
• Serve as primary liaison to external ESOP service providers including ERISA counsel, independent fiduciaries, TPAs, and valuation firms.
• Maintain internal schedules and records to support ESOP audits, financial reporting, and Board reporting.
• Develop and maintain models to assess ESOP sustainability, cash flow impacts, and share availability.
• Support employee communication efforts regarding ESOP benefits, annual statements, and educational resources.
• Provide technical and accounting support related to ESOP transactions, redemptions, and re-leveraging, as needed.
• Provide process improvement and risk management recommendations.
• Support general FP&A departmental tasks and objectives, as needed.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/LICENSE/

CERTIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field. CPA is preferred.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum 7 years of experience managing ESOP operations and accounting in a corporate or advisory capacity.
• Experience working with leveraged ESOPs in engineering, surveying, or professional services industries strongly preferred.
• In-depth understanding of ESOP financial mechanics including suspense share accounting, note structures, and participant allocations.
• Strong understanding of defined contribution plan regulations specifically to ESOPs and 401(k) s.
• Knowledge of finance and accounting processes, financial reporting, and GAAP fundamentals
• Demonstrated success managing relationships with ERISA counsel, trustees, and TPAs.
• Advanced Excel skills for modeling repurchase obligations, cash flows, and sustainability scenarios.
• Excellent project management skills, with a track record of driving ESOP initiatives to completion.
• Strong communication skills and ability to explain complex ESOP topics to finance and non-finance audiences.
• High degree of integrity and discretion in handling sensitive financial and employee information.

IDEALLY, YOU SHOULD ALSO HAVE:

• Experience working on both HR and Accounting teams.

LEVEL UP WITH LJA

At LJA, we’re 100% employee-owned. This drives results, rewards ambition and supports long-term success for every team member. With almost 100 locations and 3,000+ employee-owners (and growing), we’re building something big. Your future grows here.

• Flexible Work Options:
  Schedules to help you balance life and work.
• Generous Time Off: PTO, paid holidays, and a full office closure between Christmas and New Year’s.
• Comprehensive Benefits:
  Multiple plan options for health, dental, and pets, plus mental health support.
• Family Support:
  Paid maternity and parental leave to help you focus on what matters most.
• Education Support:
  Tuition reimbursement and in-house courses provided by our Learning and Development team.
• Referral Bonuses:
  Know great talent? Get rewarded for helping us grow.
• Community Impact:
  Company-sponsored volunteer days and philanthropic initiatives.
• Professional Development:
  Memberships to industry organizations to keep you connected and growing.
• Career Growth:
  Great internal mobility opportunities to advance your career.
• Fun Culture: LJA social events, employee sports teams, bring your kid to work day, etc.

To Executive Search Firms & Staffing Agencies: LJA Engineering, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies without a signed service agreement. All unsolicited resumes will be considered LJA’s property.