Benefits Manager

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Benefits Manager

Job Description

The Office of Human Resources seeks a talented and self-motivated Benefits Manager who will be responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of benefits programs (e.g. medical, health, dental, vision, FSA, HSA, disability and leave programs, worker's compensation, life insurance, wellness, qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, etc.). This role is strategic as well as tactical. This position will be the first line of contact for employees as well as a subject matter expert for all vendor and broker relationships and oversees annual open enrollment well as manage all testing, reporting, and reconciliations. This position offers a flexible work arrangement with the opportunity to work remote part of the week. It could be based in Boston, Worcester, or Manchester, NH based on candidate interest and University needs. 

The Benefits Manager continually investigates new benefits programs, improves existing programs, and monitors benefits administration. The successful candidate will be entrepreneurial with their approach to work, have a continuous improvement mindset, influencing skills, project management skills, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, ability to operate independently, manage shifting priorities, and be able to build strong relationships. The selected candidate will also have experience developing programs, policies, and processes; full-cycle benefits administration experience, including all aspects of Health & Welfare benefit and Retirement plan administration; enjoy assessing and streamlining operations; and have fundamental knowledge of best practices for employee benefit plan strategies.

Benefit Plan Administration

• Assists with and may lead (where appropriate) the design, implementation, and administration of strategic and comprehensive benefits and wellness initiatives, including systems processes, to enhance benefits administration operations to attract, engage and retain top talent.

• Oversee the delivery and administration of self-funded or fully insured benefit plans through medical carriers, wellness providers, administrative-service-only providers, life & disability insurance carriers, and benefits brokers and consultants.

• Serve as the subject-matter-expert on benefit plans advising leadership on the current state of benefits and proposed program enhancements, and working with internal and external partners ensuring successful project implementation outcomes.

• Handle benefit inquiries to ensure quick, equitable, courteous resolution.

• Manage annual renewal process, new hire and open enrollment planning, communication and administration.

• Responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of all benefit programs and leave of absence management including collaborating with employees, vendors, and Payroll.

• Monitor and ensure timely completion of plan compliance activities related to benefit plans, including regulatory filings and updates, notices, ACA mandates & reporting, plan audits, and employee benefit file transmissions to vendors, as required.

• Contributes to sustaining and enhancing an inclusive working and learning environment.

• Performs other job duties as required.

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Act as the system administrator for the online benefits administration system including ensuring

data integrity and ongoing modifications for benefit plan and rate changes.

• Document and maintain technical specifications and plan requirements related to benefits system administration and ensure that the system is configured to accurately administer plans.

• Ensure standardization of processes which affect data entry protocols in University’s HRIS and vendor systems, and develop/revise standard operating procedures.

• Create, edit, write, and test reports via ADP WorkforceNow to develop and maintain a comprehensive reporting library and timely distribution of benefits related dashboards.

• Maintain statistical data relative to premiums, claims and costs and develop reports as needed.

• Audit and process data interface files and conduct root cause analysis and resolve issues timely.

• Analyze current benefit offerings evaluating the use, services, coverage, effectiveness, cost, plan experience and competitive trends.

• Complete or support survey participation and analysis/reporting to recommend new initiatives that align with the overall benefits strategy.

Requirements

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in human resource management or related field.

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive related benefits or employee benefits administration experience, particularly self-insured health and defined contribution retirement plans is required.

• Previous experience with benefit plan design, researching new benefit programs and improving existing programs.

• Proven track record developing wellness programs/initiatives that increase employee attraction, engagement, productivity, and retention.

• Knowledge of and experience managing multistate leave programs.

• Advanced knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations and compliance requirements related to benefits (e.g., ACA, ERISA, HIPAA, FMLA, GINA, COBRA, etc.).

• Ability to understand vague and implicit instructions and work independently.

• Proven analytical skills and functional benefits knowledge to solve problems and identify opportunities for improvement, including developing processes and procedures from scratch.

• Ability to work independently, prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities to meet department goals and deadlines.

• Independently research and resolve carrier file and other data issues, conduct root cause analysis and implement mitigation strategies.

• Must have project management, problem solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to effectively adapt to rapid and work under pressure while meeting deadlines.

• Must have verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build long-term constructive and cooperative working relationships with colleagues, vendors, management, and outside agencies.

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with all levels of staff and management, with high level of professionalism and discretion.

• Exposure to design and development of strategic benefit design and long-term planning

• Previous experience designing outcomes-based employee wellness programs

Preferred:

• Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) or Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) professional designation.

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (advanced Excel functions, Word, PPT, etc.) and ADP WorkforceNow, etc.

Physical Requirements:

• Work is mostly sedentary and majority of time is spent sitting

• Occasional travel may be required

• Occasional weekend and/or evening work to support business needs

Apply

Please attach a cover letter and a curriculum vitae/resume. Finalist candidate(s) for this position will be subject to reference checks and a pre-employment background check as a condition of employment.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. MCPHS is unable to sponsor, or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa. MCPHS is also not an E-Verify institution.

About Us

Established in 1823, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) is the oldest institution of higher education in Boston, a city that is home to many of the world’s top universities and healthcare institutions. We are one of the largest and most highly-ranked schools for health and life sciences, and our alumni and faculty continually distinguish themselves in healthcare settings around the globe. MCPHS has more than 7000 students across campuses in Boston’s Longwood Medical and Academic Area (LMA), downtown Worcester, MA and downtown Manchester, NH. Our vision is to empower our Community to create a healthier, more equitable world, which we strive to achieve through our core values of integrity, community, engagement, collaboration, support, and innovation.

We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits that include a substantial contribution toward the cost of medical, vision, and dental insurance, generous time off, retirement and pension plans, and flexible work arrangements to support work/life balance for our employees while supporting the MCPHS strategic plan.

MCPHS is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to ensuring equal opportunity for all members of the University community. We aim to recruit, develop, and retain the most skilled faculty and staff. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment.

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