HR Manager - Benefits and Wellness

About the role

This position will lead the daily administration and execution of our health, welfare, and retirement programs. It will manage HRIS benefits data, audit billing, oversee leave administration, and execute the annual open enrollment process. Additionally, will serve as a primary point of contact for employee benefits inquiries and oversee the workplace wellness initiatives. This role requires strong technical execution, data accuracy, and a customer-service approach to employee support. This position serves on the departmental leadership team.

Responsibilities

• Translate strategic goals into actionable benefits and wellness programs, managing everything from initial rollout to ongoing employee participation.
• Manage the daily operations of all health and welfare programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and retirement plans.
• Facilitate the annual Open Enrollment process from start to finish, including building portal configurations, auditing elections, and processing data files.
• Directly coordinate leave management programs, and processing leaves, with precision and empathy.
• Act as the daily operational point of contact for insurance brokers, wellness vendors, and retirement plan administrators.
• Audit monthly vendor invoices for accuracy, resolve billing discrepancies, and ensure timely data integrations (EDI feeds) between our HRIS and carriers.
• Maintain meticulous data integrity within our HRIS benefits modules, regularly auditing employee records and eligibility status.
• Execute mandatory filings, testing, and reporting requirements, including distribution of ACA 1095-C forms, Form 5500 preparation, and HIPAA-compliant record keeping.
• Review provided monthly claims utilization and enrollment data to track plan performance and identify trends.
• Serve as the accessible, go-to resource for employees navigating complex claims issues, coverage questions, or life events.
• Serve as the Chair for various benefit related committees.
• Draft and distribute clear, engaging educational materials, newsletters, and guides that help employees get the most out of their benefits.
• Supervise assigned HR staff, set team goals, oversee daily activities, and foster staff development to ensure operational effectiveness and effective customer service.
• Serve as a departmental leader providing guidance, direction, and oversight of processes to ensure adherence and assist with troubleshooting.
• Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work.
• Actively engage in university continuous improvement initiatives.
• Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.

Requirements

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).

Required Experience

• 5+ years of progressive experience in HR, benefits administration, or total rewards management.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced proficiency in managing and configuring benefits modules within HRIS platforms.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables, data cleaning) to audit carrier invoices, reconcile billing discrepancies, and track utilization data.
• Demonstrated skill in processing and managing complex FMLA and disability claims from initial request to return-to-work.
• Ability to draft clear, engaging, and jargon-free employee communications, benefit guides, and wellness articles.
• Skill in planning, launching, and hosting interactive workplace events, such as health fairs, open enrollment webinars, etc.
• Deep understanding of federal, state, and local benefits regulations, including ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, and Section 125 regulations.
• Comprehensive understanding of how medical (PPO, HDHP/HSA), dental, vision, life, and 401(k) retirement plans operate from an administrative standpoint.
• Thorough knowledge of the legal intersections between the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and short/long-term disability.
• Up-to-date knowledge of holistic wellness practices, mental health support models, and digital wellness vendor landscapes.
• The ability to catch minor data discrepancies, billing errors, or eligibility mismatches across large data sets.
• The ability to handle sensitive employee medical situations and personal crises with high confidentiality, compassion, and professionalism.
• The ability to independently investigate and resolve complex carrier claims issues or technical system glitches.
• The ability to patiently listen to employee concerns and clearly explain complex benefit information to individuals with varying levels of understanding.
• The ability to remain organized and meet strict compliance and payroll deadlines while managing a high volume of daily employee inquiries.
• The ability to effectively lead committees and find ways to keep them purposefully engaged.

Preferred Qualifications

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• CEBS (Certified Employee Benefit Specialist) or SHRM-CP/SCP certifications are preferred.
• 1 year of team supervision, preferably in benefits.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons with a wide variety of backgrounds and viewpoints.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Training and Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following training courses: Employee Safety Overview, Annual Data Security Training, Anti-Harass