"Director of Benefits Administration"

Job Details

The Director of Benefits Administration will be responsible for developing, managing, and leading the employee benefit programs within Liberty University. The Director of Benefits Administration should have an intimate understanding of the insurance industry, with a demonstrated history of building and managing relationships with brokers and representatives from insurance companies. This role requires expert knowledge of employee benefits programs, including insurance plans, retirement plans, 403(b), 457(b), life, and special employer-sponsored plans as well as federal and state regulations related to employee benefits. The Director of Benefits Administration should be a relational and people-oriented leader, capable of developing and cultivating strong relationships and easy rapport with their team, as well as Liberty University faculty, staff, and vendors. He/she must be able to communicate complex information in a clear and understandable way, adapting their communication approach to match their audience and equipping their team to do so as well. The ideal candidate possesses exceptional character, demonstrating the utmost commitment to integrity and honesty.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Advises, consults, and serves as a member of the management team in the development and execution of short-term and long-range plans and budgets based on broad corporate goals, acquisitions, strategic planning, and growth objectives.
• Evaluates and analyzes the results of the programs and services regularly and systematically; reports these results to the Executive Vice President of Human Resources in addition to other management reporting such as benefit loss and claims control, budgets, division P&L, special projects, etc.
• Reviews and analyzes the benefits market to determine employee needs, trends, regulations, and practices, and develops competitive programs and services to meet the university’s goals.
• Provides expertise specific to the university’s self-insured benefit plans, including reinsurance and administration negotiations, and analytics reporting.
• Establishes and maintains long-term networking relationships and centers of influence through active involvement and participation in business, social, community and political arenas, boards or activities.
• Plans and directs the implementation and administration of benefits programs designed to ensure employees against loss of income due to illness, injury, death, or retirement.
• Directs preparation and distribution of written and verbal information to inform employees of benefits programs such as insurance plans, retirement plans, 403(b), 457(b), life and special employer-sponsored plans.
• Plans the modification of existing benefits programs, closely monitoring all associated benefit laws and regulations as they develop for implementation.
• Directs support functions in providing customer service, information records, claims, etc.
• Interfaces with Payroll, Compensation & Transactions, other HR units, and Finance & Accounting Department to ensure smooth, efficient administration of employee benefit withholdings, taxation, and payroll generation.
• Responsible for the administration of ancillary benefit plans such as Paid Time Off (including Wage Continuation), Paid Time Off, Pre-tax 125 Plans, Tuition Waiver plans, etc.
• Provides compliance guidance on all applicable federal and state specific codes and regulatory laws pertaining to employee benefits and associated benefit plan administration; providing analysis and data for all federal and state required reporting and filings.
• Leads Benefits Administration, portraying the highest standards while following the mission of the Human Resources Department and the mission and doctrines of the university.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position supervises all employees on the benefits team.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, accounting, business or related field.
• 7 -10 years of benefits administration experience with at least 5 years in a leadership position.
• Experience in the administration of self-insured health care plans
• CEBS certification preferred or working toward certification.
• Masters degree, MBA, preferred.

ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES ESSENTIAL TO THE FUNCTION OF THE JOB

Communication and Comprehension

• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent time management skills and ability to plan and set priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Computer proficiency and technical aptitude with the ability to use Microsoft Office products.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations and compliance requirements related to employee benefits.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret and communicate data.

Problem Solving

• Intuitively able to reason, analyze information and events, and apply judgment in order to solve problems of both a routine and complex nature.

Physical and Sensory Abilities

• Required to travel to local and campus locations.
• Regularly required to sit to perform deskwork or type on a keyboard.
• Regularly required to hear and speak in order to effectively communicate orally.
• Regularly required to stand, walk, and climb stairs to move about the campus.
• Handle materials, reach overhead, kneel or stoop in order to conduct business.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at a time.
• Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be expected.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work Environment

The working environment in which one will typically perform the essential functions of this position is a climate-controlled setting. It is well lighted, and the noise level is moderate.

Driving Requirements

Use of one’s personal vehicle (or LU vehicles) may be required for travel in the performance of the essential functions of this position. Proof of a valid Virginia driver’s license, an acceptable DMV record, and liability insurance is required.