About SamCERA
The San Mateo County Employees’ Retirement Association (SamCERA) was founded in 1944 by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors to provide retirement, disability, and death benefits to County employees. SamCERA operates as an independent public agency under the authority of the County Employees’ Retirement Law of 1937.
Today, SamCERA is a $7.1 billion fund serving:
- 5,528 active members
- 3,042 deferred members
- 6,095 retirees and beneficiaries
The Board of Retirement consists of nine trustees:
- Four elected from the membership
- Four appointed by the County Board of Supervisors
- The County’s elected Treasurer/Tax Collector
The Board has sole fiduciary responsibility over the fund’s assets and is responsible for administering both the basic benefits provided by the 1937 Act and any optional provisions adopted by the County Board of Supervisors.
SamCERA’s mission and goals are to:
- Provide caring, fair, accurate, timely, and professional service to members and stakeholders
- Prudently manage assets to fund actuarial liabilities and pay all earned benefits
- Minimize employer costs and improve operational effectiveness and efficiency
Learn more at www.samcera.gov
Your Role
Appointed by the Board of Retirement, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) leads the management and administration of the retirement system in alignment with Board direction, policy, and goals. The CEO provides high-level administrative support to the Board and oversees a staff of 22. This role is key to developing investment and benefits policy, coordinating member services, and driving long-term strategies to meet SamCERA’s mission.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead all operations of a high-performing retirement organization
- Oversee strategic planning, goal setting, and policy implementation
- Ensure regulatory compliance and operational excellence
- Direct the department’s budgeting and financial planning
- Serve as the primary liaison to County departments and external partners
- Foster public and stakeholder trust through strategic communication
- Build and support an inclusive, high-growth workplace culture
About You
You are a strategic, ethical, and forward-thinking leader with deep knowledge of public pension operations and a commitment to continuous improvement.
You bring the following strengths:
- Approachable and politically savvy with excellent relationship-building skills
- Ethical and service-oriented, demonstrating a strong public service mindset
- Experienced in public or private pension system leadership
- Collaborative and consensus-driven across diverse groups
- Innovative and solution-oriented in achieving Board-aligned goals
- Technically skilled in key pension areas: investments, benefits, finance, law, actuarial science, IT, and communications
- Decisive and calm under pressure with sound judgment
- Empowering leader who motivates and develops staff
- Confident communicator across internal and external audiences
- Lifelong learner who stays informed on trends and best practices
- Inclusive decision-maker who ensures transparency and sound governance
Salary and Benefits
- Annual Salary: $264,784 to $330,949
- Comprehensive benefits package including coverage for spouses, domestic partners, and dependents
Recruitment Timeline
Final Filing Date: Thursday, August 14, 2025, by 5:00 PM PST
Application Screening: Week of August 18, 2025
Panel Interviews: Week of September 1, 2025
How to Apply
Submit the following materials online at https://jobs.smcgov.org:
- Resume
- Detailed cover letter addressing:
- Your vision for the future of public pension systems and how you would position SamCERA to adapt and thrive
- Your approach to working with a governing board, including an example of navigating a challenging board dynamic
Note: Resumes submitted via email will not be accepted. An electronic confirmation will be sent upon successful submission.
