Benefits Manager, Human Resources

Essential Functions

• Manage the daily benefits administration including medical, pharmacy, behavioral health, dental, vision, supplemental, and life insurance plans.
• Serve as the liaison for the retirement process for faculty and staff including retiree benefits, administration, communication, events, and open enrollment.
• Acts as the primary liaison with insurance brokers, carriers, vendors and third-party administrators.
• Maintain the institution's objectives and competitive position in the marketplace by evaluating program effectiveness, recommending improvements, and analyzing trends.
• Evaluate industry trends and best practices, evaluate peer benchmark data, and recommend new or enhancement/changes to existing benefit programs.
• Manage the open enrollment process for active faculty and staffing including planning, communication, and administration.
• Lead the development of benefits-related communication including benefits guidebook, flyers, newsletters, online resources, and presents new employee benefits orientation.
• Provide exceptional customer service comprehensive support and assistance while counseling employees regarding benefit plans, complex issues, policies, claims, and eligibility inquiries.

Budget

• Reviews, processes, and reconciles all third-party administrator billing.
• Manages the fringe benefits budget and prepares updates to support data-driven decisions.
• Supports management’s decision-making process by analyzing options and projecting future costs.

Compliance

• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local legal requirements (i.e. ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA).
• Ensures annual filings, reporting, and plan documentation are up to date.
• Stays up to date on legal changes.

Systems Support

• Manages data integration files between the University and third-party administrators and leads benefits-related enhancements and updates in Workday.
• Analyzes business requirements and system capabilities.
• Participates in the design, implementation, and testing of new benefits systems and system enhancements.
• Develops and executes test scripts, validates results, and ensures data integrity across HR, payroll, and benefits platforms.

Team Management

• Provides supervisory oversight to the Benefits Specialist position.
• Develops team work plans, establishes priorities, and leads the implementation of process improvements and new initiatives.

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field plus three years of benefits-related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Solid experience of accounting and budgeting.
• Solid experience of benefit programs and administration.
• General knowledge of HR functions.
• Prioritize in a multitasking environment.
• Ability to work in a team-oriented, continuous improvement, and customer-centric environment and to quickly adapt to new procedures.
• Must be able to complete work by deadlines that are provided.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Experience with Workday.
• Experience in higher education.
• Five years of benefits experience.
• Two years experience in a supervisory or managerial capacity.
• GBA/CEBS/SPHR/PHR certification.