Supervisor, Benefits

F&A HR - Health, Welfare, and Retirement The University of Chicago offers a wide variety of benefits programs and resources to its employees. From our health plan options and wellness programs, to our continuing education opportunities and competitive retirement plans, the University is committed to providing benefits that matter to you at each stage of your employment. Reporting to the Manager of Health and Welfare, under general supervision, the Benefits Supervisor administers the University’s Health and Welfare, and Retirement benefits. The Benefits Supervisor monitors a team of support staff responsible for administering and supporting beneficiaries of University benefits programs such as pension plans and life, health, and disability insurance. Responsible for special projects and resolution of unique and complex problems.

The Benefits Supervisor counsels staff, faculty, retirees, and their families in their initial plan enrollments, making changes to their benefits during the year (family status changes), during open enrollment, and at retirement/termination of their employment at the University.

This role serves as the first point of contact for inquiries from the Benefits Specialists. They will build trusting relationships, encourage, and supervise the team.This position requires the highest level of confidentiality, judgment, discretion, and diplomacy while working with various individuals at all levels of the organization.

• Manages the review and approval processes for the enrollment/disenrollment of medical, dental, vision, flexible spending, health savings accounts, life, disability and retirement benefits for active staff, faculty, and retirees via Workday, while ensuring they meet specific policies and guidelines.
• Oversees the resolution of day-to-day escalated benefits issues.
• Provides guidance to staff to reconcile vendor invoices.
• Monitors Workday and the Benefits Tracker in-box daily.
• In partnership with the Manager of Health and Welfare, implements processes and procedures that ensure the University's benefits programs are administered in compliance with law and with plan documents.
• Manages benefits staff to ensure service and delivery expectations of leadership and employees are both met.
• Researches and conducts in-depth auditing, analysis, forecasting of employee benefit programs including developing a comprehensive cost analyses and modeling of all benefit plans.
• Directs project level work to the Benefits Specialists.
• Manages the benefits team in the preparation on all benefit related communications for plan participants, current and former, regarding benefit programs, procedures, changes, and government mandated disclosures.
• Develops, communicates, and trains the overall HR team on all new benefit programs including providing benefits updates to be communicated to the HR Community via the Staff, Community meetings, and weekly HR Headlines communication.
• Collaborates with unit leadership coordinating employee benefits for new hires and current employees.
• Reviews current processes and recommends improvements.
• Develops, manages, and maintains the Benefit Specialist schedule.
• Provides on-the-job training for new hires.
• Maintains and updates the benefits website.
• Leads special projects as assigned.
• Supervises day-to-day activities of direct reports. Directs and monitors project level work.
• In conjunction with leadership, implements processes and procedures that ensure the University's benefits programs are administered in compliance with law and with plan documents.
• Resolves escalated participant issues and helps set processes and procedures for direct reports.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources or related field.

• A minimum of five years of health and retirement benefits programs and project management experience.
• Background working on complex issues where analysis requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors.
• Background working in a team environment, collaborating on projects, as well as daily issues.
• Previous experience in higher education.

• High level of computer application skills including MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

• Self-starter, able to successfully manage multiple priorities in a complex, multi-constituent environment.
• Research, analyze and present data and recommendations in an organized and logical manner.
• Demonstrated project management skills and consult with all levels of management.
• Well-developed problem analysis and resolution skills; exercise judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results.
• Exceptional customer service and communication skills.
• Familiarity with plan documents and compliance issues, to include testing.
• High level of planning and analytical skills.
• High level of professionalism, personal integrity, and dependability.
• Exceptional customer service and communication skills.
• Resourceful problem-solver and critical thinker, proactive in leveraging opportunities and anticipating and averting problems.

• Remote, one day in office monthly.

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Professional References Contact Information (2)

University Human Resources People Manager 37.5 No No No Salary Exempt $92,875.00 - $100,000.00 Yes