Manager, Benefits & Compensation

Status: Full-time, exempt

Schedule: 37.5 hrs./week, M-F, 8.30a.m. – 4.30p.m, including occasional evening and weekend work based on seasonal business needs/position requirements.

Note: This is an exempt position. Early-morning hours may be necessary on occasion.

Reports to: Assistant Vice President of Human Resources

Direct reports: None

Start date: ASAP

Location: Chicago, IL, USA (hybrid)

About Us

IES Global is a not-for-profit study abroad and internship provider dedicated to transforming the lives of nearly 10,000 students annually through unparalleled study abroad experiences. From our headquarters in Chicago, we offer 400 programs in 85 locations worldwide, partnering with 500 colleges and universities to create authentic educational experiences that exceed expectations.

IES Global comprises a collective of brands including IES Abroad, IES Internships, Customized & Faculty-Led Programs, and the Study Abroad Foundation (SAF). We champion meaningful academic and cultural education, integrate diverse perspectives, prioritize student health and safety, and strive to better the world through our Global Good Commitment.

For nearly 75 years, we have been a trusted leader in global education, committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. We actively recruit underrepresented students and provide millions in scholarships each year, celebrating a diverse student body that reflects the vibrant cultures we engage with. Our commitment extends to our diverse team, fostering an inclusive, welcoming workplace where talents from various backgrounds collaborate and grow.

Join us at IES Abroad and become part of a community dedicated to creating global leaders and life-changing experiences.

Summary Of Position

The Benefits & Compensation Manager is responsible for employee benefits and compensation programs at IES Abroad including design, implementation, evaluation, regulatory compliance, market competitiveness and cost effectiveness. All benefits and compensation programs must be designed to proactively support the organization’s strategic objectives and goals. The Benefits & Compensation Manager will create solutions by offering unique insights, consultation, leadership and guidance. Working in a team environment, they must possess a high degree of integrity, discipline, focus, accessibility and be results orientated. This position requires a diverse knowledge of HR strategy with specific skill sets and experience in HR metrics, employee benefits, total compensation strategies, and a strong understanding of leadership and organizational development. The ability to build and maintain collaborative and effective relationships with all stakeholders is crucial to the success of this position.

Benefits

Essential Job Responsibilities & Duties:

• Plan, manage and administer health, dental, vision, flexible spending account, disability insurance, transit, employee assistance, and other benefits programs.
• Lead annual employee open enrollment process, including open enrollment system setup and audit (Workday), broker meetings, and employee communications, including managing and approving enrollments, responding to employee inquiries, and oversight of benefit vendor file feeds.
• Serve as primary contact for benefits plan vendors and third-party administrators.
• Coordinate timely and accurate transfer of benefits data to external contacts for services, premiums, and plan administration.
• Manage all Life, Disability and AD&D claims for employees.
• Maintain all benefit files.
• Serve as Benefits Administrator for HRIS system (Workday) and ensure all information is maintained accurately and in timely manner; generate regular benefits reports and ad hoc reports as needed.
• Responsible for coordination of COBRA events.
• Reconcile monthly premium statements for all group insurance policies and maintain statistical data relative to premiums, claims, and costs; resolve any discrepancies with relevant parties.
• Survey benefits industry trends, complete benefits surveys, and review/analyze information obtained from the results.
• Design, recommend, and implement new benefits programs, examining plan design alternatives and benefits cost structures.
• Negotiate with vendors and administrators for best plans, options and rates.
• Collaborate with Payroll to administer the ACA compliance process.
• Manage the annual 5500 audit process.
• File EEO-1 Reports annually and maintain records.
  
  

Employee Support

• Respond to inquiries related to benefits enrollment and processing.
• Develop communication tools, campaigns, and training materials to improve understanding of the company's benefits offerings.
• Design and distribute materials for benefits orientations, open enrollment, Intranet (Confluence), and summary plan descriptions.
• Share employee communication and feedback to HR Management Team
  
  

Compliance

• Maintain compliance with federal, state and local employment, and benefit laws and regulations.
• Liaise with the Accounting Department to ensure accurate information is shared/received in timely manner.
• Process invoices via Workday in timely manner.
  
  

Compensation

• Lead the analysis of the employee base salaries, pay structures and market adjustment process.
• Participate in compensation surveys to collect and analyze competitive salary information to determine company's competitive position.
• Formulate recommendations regarding development and maintenance of company salary structure, FLSA exemptions, and job revisions.
• Participate in the administration of performance, salary and bonus review cycles, including the development of communication materials, evaluating salary and bonus recommendations from managers and assisting with the preparation of summary reports for senior management.
• Conduct job evaluations to ensure internal equity and external competitiveness. Review proposed salary adjustments to ensure compensation decisions are in alignment with established guidelines, policies and practices.
• Responsible for managing the integrity of the overall job data in the HR system to ensure employees are classified correctly and report data is accurate.
• Identify compensation-related problems and partner with managers to recommend corrective or alternative actions and obtain necessary approvals.
• Continually review compensation programs, policies and practices and recommend changes where appropriate to ensure pay practices remain competitive. Maintain awareness of local and national salary and incentive trends.
• Commit to and demonstrate values and promotion of diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism.
• Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of this position
• Any other task or duty as assigned or required
  
  

Experience & Qualifications/Skills

• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in benefits management is required, compensation management experience is strongly preferred.
• Must have a demonstrated track record of delivering innovative and effective approaches to compensation and benefits.
• Proficiency in HRIS systems and Microsoft Office products (such as Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, PowerPoint, etc.) is required.
• Experience with Workday is preferred.
• Must be highly analytical, detail oriented, able to prioritize tasks for optimum effectiveness, manage multiple priorities simultaneously, and manage large projects effectively from start to finish.
• Must be able to change the focus of their activities to meet changing priorities.
• Ability to demonstrate values and promotion of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism required
  
  

Education, Licenses, And/or Certifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or Business Administration is required.
• Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS), Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or similar professional certification is highly desirable.
• Experience providing human resources benefits and compensation support in the non-profit sector and/or for a multinational is desired.
• Diplomacy and discretion are required to effectively resolve issues relating to benefits and compensation. This will require exceptional interpersonal skills and effective communication ability.
• Must be highly skilled at shifting between macro and micro level planning.
• Must exhibit an extensive understanding of human resources practices, procedures and laws.
• Continuous education and updates are essential to stay abreast of state and federal laws and regulations that may impact IES Abroad benefits, compensation, policies, procedures and practices.
  
  

Hiring Salary Range

$115,000-$135,000

Benefits Eligible

Yes

IES Abroad offers a wide range of benefits for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found on our website: https://www.iesabroad.org/about/careers

How To Apply

All applicants should submit an application including cover letter, resume, and salary requirements by clicking 'Apply' at the top of this page.

Please visit www.IESabroad.org for more information about working at IES Abroad. If you require an accommodation with the application process, please email us: IESAbroad-Careers@iesabroad.org.

Equal Opportunity Employment

IES Abroad is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. We strive to treat people with respect; fully utilizing employee's abilities and promoting workforce diversity.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and do not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, citizenship, religion, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, veteran status, and/or any other status protected by applicable laws.