Human Resources Manager (Benefits Services)

About the role

The Benefit Services Manager manages the Benefit Services Division within the Department of Human Resources, overseeing comprehensive health, well-being, and retirement benefits for over 8,000 active employees and retirees. The division handles more than 30 benefit plans and 11 defined contribution and deferred compensation retirement plans, ensuring compliance with CalPERS requirements and other applicable laws.

Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Benefit Services Division, including overseeing benefit plan administration, retirement programs, and compliance with legal requirements.
• Collaborate with IT, Finance, Payroll, Labor Relations, and other City partners to ensure accurate and efficient benefits administration.
• Represent the Director of Human Resources before the Civil Service Board and participate in negotiations with employee organizations.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to enhance employee engagement and satisfaction.
• Provide strategic guidance on disciplinary appeals, grievance/arbitration appeals, and labor negotiations proposals.
• Assist in the development of long-range planning strategies for the City's Labor Relations Program.

Requirements

The Ideal Candidate:

• Has a strong understanding of health, well-being, and retirement benefits, including relevant laws, regulations, labor agreements, and administrative requirements.
• Exhibits empathy and sound judgment when addressing the needs of employees and retirees.
• Has experience administering employee benefit plans and using PeopleSoft or similar automated human resources information systems.
• Is an effective leader and team player capable of managing competing priorities, developing staff, and working collaboratively across departments.
• Displays strong communication skills and the ability to build trust and consensus with City leadership, recognized employee organizations, vendors, and other stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Five years of progressively responsible administrative analytical experience in personnel programs, including at least two years of advanced journey level or professional supervisory experience.
• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of modern human resource management and public administration, including labor relations, staffing, testing, examination development, recruitment, classification, organizational development, training, equal employment, salary administration, benefits administration, and retirement.
• Ability to plan, organize, assign, and coordinate the work of Division staff; build a high performance workforce; accurately analyze, interpret, and resolve a variety of complex human resource issues; research, evaluate, and recommend policies and programs to comply with Federal, State, and local laws and regulations; supervise, train, motivate, and evaluate Division staff; communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing; prepare and make public presentations; perform the most complex human resources work independently; establish and maintain effective working relationships; conduct studies, analyze data, perform complex costing and impact analysis, evaluate alternatives, and develop recommendations for City programs, bargaining proposals, and to resolve problems or issues; train other staff in these areas.