Assistant Director, Shared Services - Benefits - Back Office

About the role

The California State University, Office of the Chancellor, is seeking an Assistant Director, Shared Services - Benefits - Back Office to oversee the day-to-day administration of benefits administration and operations.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and provide direction to Benefits Specialists, Benefits Leads and the Sr. Human Resources Systems Analyst handling benefits processing, reporting, and reconciliation.
• Oversee enrollment file management, eligibility maintenance, and vendor interface processes to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
• Develop, implement, and refine workflows, policies, and procedures to increase efficiency and data accuracy.
• Monitor compliance with organizational policies, bargaining agreements, and regulatory requirements (ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, etc.).
• Partner with HRIS, Payroll, Finance, and external vendors to ensure smooth integration of benefits data and resolve discrepancies.
• Collaborate with campus leaders, CHRS stakeholders, and Shared Services partners to define and align roles and responsibilities for benefits administration within the shared services model, ensuring consistency with system functionality and standardized business processes.
• Oversee the Sr. Human Resources System Analysts coordination of system design and testing of newly implemented benefits functionality in CHRS (PeopleSoft 9.2), including delivered and CSU customizations, to ensure alignment with Shared Services requirements and defined quality expectations.
• Work collaboratively with CHRS Application Development team leadership to ensure recommended business practices, CHRS enhancements and system changes are consistent with the standardization of the shared services model and support campus end user utilization.
• Manage and review reporting activities, audits, and reconciliations to support compliance and organizational accountability.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex operational issues requiring coordination across teams or with external vendors.
• Provide coaching, training, and professional development to team members.
• Identify and implement process improvements, automation, and best practices to enhance operational delivery.
• Manage and safeguard highly sensitive information related to collective bargaining, grievances, and labor relations cases, including Public Employee Relations Board (PERB) and arbitration matters, ensuring strict confidentiality and compliance.
• Lead and participate in user group and subcommittee meetings to ensure campus contacts remain connected and knowledgeable of Systemwide and outside vendor updates and changes.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a related field and five years of relevant experience.
• Additional experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
• An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Three years of supervisory experience.
• Experience in benefits management.
• Experience in managing in a union environment.
• Experience in higher education preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of employee benefits programs and end-to-end benefits administration (eligibility, enrollment, vendor file management).
• Knowledge of Human Resources software applications, such as PeopleSoft HR application.
• Strong understanding of regulatory compliance (ACA, HIPAA, ERISA, COBRA) and ability to apply policies accurately.
• Leadership and team management, including coaching, development, and performance oversight.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, particularly with data discrepancies, audits, and system issues.
• Experience with HRIS systems, benefits platforms, payroll integrations, and reporting tools (e.g., Excel).
• Process improvement and workflow optimization with a focus on efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
• Effective communication and cross-functional collaboration with internal teams and external vendors.
• Able to manage multiple priorities, lead through ambiguity, and make sound decisions under pressure.
• High attention to detail and ability to handle sensitive, confidential data with integrity.
• Able to identify issues, escalate appropriately, and drive resolution across stakeholders.

Pay

The anticipated salary hiring range is up to $150,000 per year, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Schedule

This position is approved for a hybrid work schedule, with two days of telecommuting and three days working onsite (in-person) at the designated reporting campus.