Benefits Manager, Human Resources

Job Description Summary

This position is responsible for administering and maintaining the University's benefit programs. Provides benefit plan/program changes to the Director, while maintaining the institution's objectives and competitive position in the marketplace. This incumbent works collaboratively and communicates with the Human Resources (HR) team, Information Systems, Finance, Budget, Payroll, third-party administrators, consultants, campus partners, and faculty and staff to collect, monitor, and analyze benefits data and to provide feedback, make appropriate recommendations, and ensure compliance.

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. Provided vendor management of external partners, including contract review and oversight for service level agreements.
• Acts as the primary liaison with insurance brokers, carriers, vendors and third-party administrators.
• Monitor plan performance and address any service or claims issues.
• Evaluates program effectiveness, recommends improvements, and analyzes trends to ensure competitive offerings. Monitor 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 25%

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

Compliance 20%

• Manage compliance with the Affordable Care Act process and compliance efforts.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local legal requirements (i.e. ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA). Ensure annual filings, reporting, and plan documentation are up to date.
• Stay up to date on legal changes.

Systems Support 10%

• Manage data integration files between the University and third-party administrators and lead benefits-related enhancements and updates in Workday.
• Evaluate and seek to improve benefits operating systems, processes, and efficiencies.
• 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 5%

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