Benefits Manager

Description

Summary:
Under the direction of the Human Resources Director, this position coordinates the planning, implementation, benefits billings and reconciliations, and administration of the University's various employee benefits programs, ensuring cost-effectiveness, market-competitiveness, and consistency with the University's overall strategic plans and objectives.

Examples of Duties

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists the evaluation, planning, and administration of the University's various employee benefits programs; assesses effectiveness of programs in meeting overall strategic objectives, and oversees the development and implementation of changes and improvements to benefits programs, as appropriate.
• Submit monthly Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) contribution reports to Retirement Systems Alabama (RSA) and conduct monthly benefit reconciliations.
• Responds to and resolves employee concerns regarding university benefits programs.
• Plans and directs implementation and administration of benefits programs designed to ensure employees against loss of income because of illness, injury, layoff, or retirement.
• Directs preparation and distribution of informational literature and verbal presentations to notify and advises employees of eligibility for benefits programs such as insurance plans, paid time off, bonus pay, special employer-sponsored activities, health benefit and retirement programs.
• Analyzes company benefits, policies and laws concerning mandatory insurance coverage.
• Analyzes and calculates benefit rate changes, to include the University and employee contributions; generates appropriate notification of changes to departments and individuals.
• Directs, oversees, and quality controls the development of benefits proposals, negotiations with insurance carriers and external contractors, and administration of contracts or other agreements involving employee benefits.
• Studies prevailing practices among similar organizations, and agreements with labor unions, in order to comply with legal requirements and to establish competitive benefits programs.
• Participates in planning and coordinates the implementation of periodic benefits open enrollment programs for all faculty and staff, including the development of content materials.
• Modifies aspects of existing program according to findings, utilizing knowledge of prevailing practices and emerging types of benefits provided for production, supervisory, and executive personnel.
• Researches and recommends improvement of the University benefits packet to ensure maximum cost saving to the University.
• Seeks and recommends discount benefits programs to employees.
• Educates employees on wellness and the employee assistance program.
• Ensures compliance with DOL, ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, HIPAA and other laws related to employee’s benefits.
• Coordinators international tax seminars.
• Assists Payroll with reconciling various benefits plans.
• Stays a breasted of changes in the benefits packet.
• Coordinators benefits seminars.
• Creates and implements website to help employees understand the benefits packet.
• Assist with processing all documents for employees seeking Immigration and Naturalization clearance.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Minimum Position Requirements (including certifications, licenses, etc.):

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Liberal Arts, Social Sciences or a related area.
• Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) preferred.
• Two (2) years of experience in human resources
• Some experience in the administration of benefits programs
• Must have working knowledge of a human resources and payroll computer based system (HRIS)
• Must have knowledge of spreadsheet and database applications
• Experience in higher education is desired

Supplemental Information

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of contemporary principles of human resource management and public personnel practices
• Knowledge and understanding of employee benefits principles, practices, procedures, and documentation, as applicable to a public institution
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, methods, and techniques in area of specialty
• Knowledge of customer service standards and procedures
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of public sector employee benefits policies, procedures, and regulations
• Knowledge of insurance carrier procedures and requirements
• Knowledge of computerized human resources and payroll systems
• Knowledge of open enrollment systems and procedures
• Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively
• Skills in the use of database management, word processing, spreadsheet, and/or presentation software
• Skill in developing and conducting employee information/orientation sessions.
• Ability to make evaluative judgments
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment
• Ability to work with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community
• Ability to analyze problems and develop creative solutions to complex human resource issues
• Ability to develop, plan, and implement short- and long-range goals
• Ability to negotiate and manage contractual arrangements
• Ability to plan and evaluate programs
• Ability to analyze problems and develop creative solutions to complex employee benefits issues
• Ability to analyze and develop creative solutions to complex benefits issues
• Ability to gather data, compiles information, and prepares reports

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, short and long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

To learn more details, visit our benefits page at http://www.aamu.edu/hr