Position Summary:

Serves as the primary benefits touchpoint for approximately 500 university employees, managing all employee benefit programs including health insurance, retirement plans, wellness initiatives, and leave-related benefits. Provides analytical support for compensation activities including salary surveys and position classifications. This role operates with significant independence while partnering with CHRO on strategic benefits and compensation initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum 4 years of progressive human resources experience with demonstrated strength in benefits administration, compensation, wellness programs, or a combination thereof. Experience must demonstrate:
  • Solid understanding of employee benefits programs and administration (may have been in support role but shows progression)
  • Working knowledge of benefits compliance requirements (ACA, HIPAA, FMLA, Section 125)
    
  • Experience with HRIS/ERP systems and proficient in Excel
    
  • Customer service orientation and ability to explain benefits to employees
    
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
    
  • Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
• Experience may include:
  • Benefits Administrator, HR Generalist with benefits focus, Compensation Analyst, Wellness Coordinator, or similar roles
    
  • Roles demonstrating increasing responsibility in HR functions
    
  • Mix of benefits, compensation, and/or wellness experience that totals 4+ years
    

Preferred Qualifications:

• Higher education environment experience
  
• Church plan benefits administration experience
  
• TIAA or defined contribution retirement plan experience
  
• Wellness program management or health promotion experience
  
• Experience supporting compensation administration activities
  

Job Duties:

• Benefits coordination, support and administration (65%)
  • Administers comprehensive employee benefits programs: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, tax-advantaged accounts, retirement, and tuition remission in collaboration with plan carriers, vendors, administrators, and the university’s employee benefits consultant/broker.
  • Manages day-to-day carrier, vendor, administrator, and broker relationships; documents performance issues and collaborates with CHRO on resolution strategies
  • Participates in vendor selection and renewal processes with CHRO, CFO, and benefits committee
  • Processes employee benefits enrollments, changes, and terminations in Banner HRIS in coordination with Senior Payroll Coordinator
  • Leads annual open enrollment process including communication strategy, employee education, system configuration, and enrollment reconciliation
  • Administers continuation insurance coverage for terminated employees and eligible retirees
  • Coordinates disability insurance claims and serves as liaison between employees and insurance carrier; coordinators life insurance claims for employees and retirees serving as a liaison between the employee’s beneficiaries and carrier.
  • Manages leave-related benefits including benefits continuation during FMLA and disability leave
  • Ensures compliance with ACA, HIPAA, Section 125, and church plan requirements
  • Provides individual benefits counseling to new employees, faculty candidates, and current staff as needed
  • Develops benefits communication materials and presents benefits information at new employee orientation
  • Collaborates with CHRO and CFO on benefits budget development and monitors monthly expenditures
  • Works closely with the Senior Payroll and Systems coordinator to reconcile benefit invoices with enrollment and payroll deductions
• Wellness Programming (20%)
  • Serves as primary staff lead for university wellness program and wellness committee
  • Plans, implements, and evaluates comprehensive wellness initiatives focused on employee health and well-being
  • Coordinates wellness events, health screenings, fitness challenges, and educational programs throughout the year
  • Manages wellness vendor relationships and program budget
  • Collaborates with wellness committee to develop annual wellness calendar and strategic priorities
  • Tracks wellness program participation and outcomes; analyzes data to measure program effectiveness
  • Develops wellness communications and promotional materials to drive employee engagement
  • Researches wellness best practices and emerging trends in workplace wellness
  • Identifies opportunities to integrate wellness initiatives with health plan design and benefits strategy
  • Presents wellness program results and recommendations to CHRO, benefits committee, and university leadership
• Compensation Support (10%)
  • Completes required salary surveys (IPEDS, CUPA-HR, AAUP, etc) to meet federal reporting requirements and institutional survey needs
  • Participates in position reclassification process by conducting job analysis, researching comparable positions, and preparing recommendations for CHRO review
  • Conducts FLSA classification reviews and recommends exempt/non-exempt status to CHRO
  • Generates compensation reports from Banner HRIS including salary distributions and position data
  • Maintains compensation data in Banner compensation module in coordination with Senior Payroll Coordinator
  • Reviews salary offers prepared by Talent Acquisition Manager for internal equity and classification consistency
  • Provides analytical support for CHRO compensation decisions
• Compliance and systems (5%)
  • Monitors legislative and regulatory changes including issues affecting church plans and higher education benefits
  • Maintains required plan documents, summary plan descriptions, and administrative documentation
  • Coordinates with Senior Payroll Coordinator on Banner benefits module management and reporting
  • Serves as backup to Risk Manager for workers' compensation reporting and claims process
  • Maintains current knowledge of benefits, wellness, and compensation laws and best practices through continuing education
  • Develops and maintains written procedures for benefits and compensation functions
  • Represents HR department on campus committees related to benefits, compensation, and wellness
  • Provides training to HR staff, supervisors, and employees on benefits topics
  • Provides documentation to HR Coordinator for personnel file maintenance
• Other duties as assigned