Benefits Director/Manager

The title for this position will be determined based on the chosen candidate's qualifications in relation to the position.

Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Benefits Manager is responsible for the administration and management of the university’s benefit programs, working in conjunction with the CHRO, brokers and outside consultants to advise leadership on the non-financial rewards provided to employees.   Responsibilities include administration of the university’s Health and Welfare Plans, 403(b) Retirement Plan, 457(b) Executive Retirement, and Phased Retirement plans; administration of Tuition Remission and Tuition Exchange programs; and administration of the time off, leave of absence, and Workers’ Compensation programs.   Works with CHRO, brokers, and outside counsel to ensure legal compliance of all benefits programs, participates in benefits and insurance negotiations and renewals, ensures commitments made by outside providers are fulfilled, communicates plan features and changes to the campus community, manages annual open enrollment, and manages day-to-day workflow/priorities of the benefits team.

Benefit Programs Management

• In conjunction with CHRO, brokers and outside consultants, analyzes, evaluates and makes recommendations to management on current or proposed plan design changes, legislation affecting benefit plans, and best practices to ensure a comprehensive, cost-effective benefits program for university employees.
• Chairs and/or serves on benefits policy/program development/evaluation committees as required, including emergency preparedness committee.
• Manages broker, consultant and insurance provider relationships and serves as liaison between brokers/providers and university leadership/employees.
• Together with CHRO, provides subject matter expertise in the development of new programs, program changes, negotiations and renewal processes for all benefit programs.
• Coordinates Retirement Investment Committee meetings.
• Oversees health and welfare plan administration and compliance, including insured programs (medical, dental, life, long-term disability, etc.), section 125 plan, and wellness/education plans and programs; includes managing enrollment, invoicing, record maintenance, vendor data feeds and communication; resolving employee issues and maintaining confidentiality of employee data and records. 
• Works with brokers and counsel to ensure compliance with Section 125, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA and other regulations, including plan documents, summary plan descriptions, annual plan review and/or changes, non-discrimination testing and annual reporting and audits – Form 5500.
• Oversees retirement plan administration and compliance, including 403(b), 457(b) retirement and Phased Retirement plans; includes managing enrollment, recording and payment of employee and university retirement contributions, non-discrimination testing, annual plan reviews and communications. 
• Works with brokers and counsel to ensure compliance with ERISA, including annual reporting and audits – Form 5500, maintenance of plan documents and summary plan descriptions.
• Oversees the annual open enrollment process, including working with ITS to make necessary benefit plan updates in HRIS, conducting open enrollment trainings and managing open lab sessions and resolution of employee issues and questions.
• Manages resolution of employee issues and responses to employee pre-retirement and post- retirement questions.
• Acts as authorized signer on retirement plan withdrawals and loans.
• Establishes and audits internal controls and assures verification of data file feeds, benefit plan invoices and retirement plan contributions. Works closely with ITS/HRIS and Payroll to establish and maintain audit controls on all benefits related data.
• Oversees education program administration, including tuition remission and tuition exchange programs.
• Oversees workers’ compensation program including reporting, communication, leaves and return-to-work/modified duty programs.
• Oversees leave of absence programs in compliance with FMLA, CFRA, and other related regulations, working with benefits staff, managers, and employees to ensure compliance and to meet the needs of both the university and employees and their families.
• Oversees benefits education programs, including wellness programming, introduction of benefit program changes or vendor changes, on-campus retirement counseling and related employee programs.
• Develops written departmental procedures in all areas. Drafts benefits correspondence and publications; edits other department correspondence or publications as needed.
• Develops and updates benefits sections of the MySanDiego Portal and department web site, working to continually improve them as an effective resource for employees and supervisors.

Training

• Develops, updates and conducts benefit orientations and/or benefits-related training workshops as needed.
• Provides train-the-trainer support to benefits staff.
• Assists Learning and Development team as needed with the development of training workshop content, outlines and materials for subjects related to benefits.

Department Management

• Hires, trains, supervises, schedules and evaluates employees.
• Collaborates with HR management team on projects and process improvements.
• Represents HR as requested in professional organizations and at meetings. 
• Participates in various campus committees as needed.

Special Conditions of Employment:

Effective June 1, 2023, based on CDC guidance, the University strongly encourages all campus members to stay up to date with Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination recommendations.  For more regarding information USD's COVID-19 protocols, please visit sandiego.edu/onward.

Background check:  Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.