Benefits Manager (Remote in California)

Company: UMass Global
Location: Sacramento
Posted on: March 19, 2023

Job Description:

Please Note: Internal Employees, please access the Career app on the Workday Dashboard homepage to apply for the position.The University of Massachusetts Global (UMass Global) is a private, nonprofit affiliate of the University of Massachusetts. Accredited by WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges), the university offers undergraduate, graduate, credential, and certificate programs designed to be relevant to more than 90 career paths. UMass Global has ranked consistently among the best in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.At the University of Massachusetts Global, we value the personal health and financial well-being of our employees. With our affordable and flexible benefit packages we aim to provide peace of mind to allow employees to focus on important aspects of their lives. Our benefits include:HealthcareMedical, dental, and vision plans - including health and flexible spending accounts - that cover you and your family.Work-Life BalanceWe encourage a healthy work-life balance, that's why we offer flexible schedules and remote work opportunities. In addition, we provide generous vacation and sick time and 13 paid holidays which includes a winter break.Financial ProtectionFor life's unexpected surprises - we provide life and disability insurance, prepaid legal, identity theft, critical illness, accident, and travel assistance. We also have programs to help you manage student debt offered through SAVI. Employees are also eligible for Public Student Loan Forgiveness.Tuition RemissionWe support the educational goals of you and your family by providing tuition discounts at UMass Global and Chapman University.Wellbeing24/7 counseling support, through our Employee Assistance Program, and free premium subscription to Calm for you and your dependents! In addition, our Wellness program provides year-round events that bring together our community and promotes employee well-being.RetirementPre-tax and Roth options with a generous match of 6% and additional employer contribution of 3% - totaling 9%!The Benefits Manager manages day-to-day priorities of the benefits team. The role is hands-on, responsible for contributing to the overall design, implementation, communication, administration and management of the University's employee benefits programs to ensure market competitiveness and alignment with the University's strategic goals. This role will properly administer benefits covering health and welfare plans. The Benefits Manager leads the benefits team which consists of the Sr. Benefits Specialist.

New hires must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (including any boosters recommended by the CDC) and demonstrate proof of vaccination upon hire, unless approved for a medical or religious accommodation or are exempt from the requirement under state law.

UMass Global employees are eligible to participate in a voluntary flexible work arrangement benefit (remote work) with approval of their supervisor, through the University's Voluntary Flexible Work Arrangement Program.

The hiring range for this position is $102,000 - $115,000. Offers are determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to: geographical location, knowledge, skills, years & depth of experience, and equity with internal team members.TYPE OF SUPERVISION:Receive general direction from the Assistant Vice Chancellor, Total Rewards.

• General Direction - indicates that the incumbent receives guidance in terms of broad goals and overall objectives and is responsible for establishing the methods to attain them. Generally the incumbent is in charge of an area of work; and typically formulates policy for this area but does not necessarily have final authority for approving policy.POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:Percentage
  • Oversee 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 integrations and communication, resolving employee issues and maintaining confidentiality of employee data and records. 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.
    • Manage the annual Open Enrollment process; develop an organized approach by creating and communicating an annual Open Enrollment Project Plan to manage the project between carriers, broker, IT, payroll, finance and HR; create and implement a strategic communication plan to ensure employees receive clear and timely information.
      • Maintain benefit consultant/carrier relationships; participate in the development of new programs, program changes and renewal processes. Develop and conduct employee benefits surveys and share results in a presentable format. Participate in external benefit surveys, analyze survey results and provide recommendations.
        • Provide strategic oversight over the university's wellness program to improve employee wellbeing and engagement; manage wellness budget; partner with wellness broker and benefits team to develop and implement wellness initiatives in compliance with applicable key laws.
          • Oversee tuition remission program. Conduct routine audits of processing, processes and policies, identifying necessary updates. Handle escalated tuition remission issues.20%
            • Oversee retirement plan administration and compliance, including 403(b) and 457(b) retirement plans. Includes managing enrollment, reconciliation and fund transfer of employee and university retirement contributions. Partner with broker to conduct annual plan reviews and communications. Ensure compliance with ERISA, including annual reporting and audits, non-discrimination testing, maintenance of plan documents and summary plan descriptions. Resolve employee or plan issues. Oversee withdrawals and loans.20%
              • Manages leave of absence programs in compliance with FMLA and other state specific family and medical leave laws. Review leaves with benefits team, managers, and employees to meet the needs of both the university, employees and their families. Handle complex leave matters. Stay abreast of regulatory changes and maintain leave policies and processes.
                • Manage accommodation processes, provide guidance to benefits team and review/approve documentation. Ensure the university is compliant with processes, policies and documentation.
                  • Provide oversight over the workers' compensation program including reporting, communication, leaves and return-to-work/modified duty programs. Work with broker to ensure optimum policy renewals. Work with insurer on claims management. Serves as a member of the university Safety Committee.20%
                    • Develop, update and monitor benefit orientations. Provide support to benefits staff and provides feedback and opportunities for improvement.
                    • Oversee benefit education programs. Partner with HR team to create and conduct manager training and employee information sessions.
                    • Serve as a mentor to the benefits team. Hire, train, supervise, develop and evaluate team members.
                    • Collaborate with other HR functional areas on projects and opportunities to improve processes.
                    • Develop and maintain standard operating procedures in collaboration with team members.
                    • Develops and coordinates updates to benefits sites; working to continually improve as an effective resource for employees and supervisors.20%
                      • Partner with internal programmer analysts to establish and troubleshoot vendor integrations. Work closely with IT, Manager of Finance and HR Systems to establish and maintain benefit reports and dashboards in HRIS. Modify benefits related system set up and business processes as needed.20%TOTAL100%POSITION SPECIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATION AND/OR LICENSES:
                        • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience; CEBS or CBP preferred
                        • A minimum of 5 years of managing benefits; at least 2 years of experiencing managing a team. Higher education experience preferred.ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
                          • Solid understanding and experience with HRIS systems and integrations. Workday experience highly desired.
                            • Knowledge of multi-state family and medical leave, and workers' compensation regulations, with a preference of CA specific knowledge
                            • Highly developed oral and written communication skills; excellent phone presentation skills and word processing skills. Ability to clearly articulate vision and objectives.
                            • Ability to work independently, meet critical deadlines and enrollment targets. Alternatively, ability to project lead involving other HR members and departments.
                            • Political sensitivity and ability to interact with diverse groups and individuals at all organizational levels in a distributed environment.
                            • Excellent problem solving, analytical, decision making, and organization skills, with the ability to prioritize a heavy workload under pressure and competing assignments.Machines, Tools, Equipment, Electronic Devices and Software: Video conferencing; Microsoft Teams, Microsoft suite, Workday.Contact with Students: NeverContact with Faculty and/or Staff: FrequentContact with Community and Vendors: FrequentSPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:Working conditions are normal for an office environment. Position may be required to work flexible hours particularly given campuses' extended hours of operation and may require occasional weekend and/or evening work. Applicants for this position are subject to a background check and a criminal history review.Please Note: Internal Employees, please access the Career app on the Workday Dashboard homepage to apply for the position.Equal Employment Opportunity - UMass Global is committed to providing an educational and work environment free of unlawful discrimination and harassment in any form. UMass Global prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment on the basis of age, ancestry, color, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), disability (mental and physical), marital status, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, national origin (including language use restrictions), race, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and/ related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law.Reasonable Accommodation - UMass Global provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the recruitment department at recruiting@umassglobal.edu.

Keywords: UMass Global, Sacramento , Benefits Manager (Remote in California), Accounting, Auditing , Sacramento, California