Job Details
Director of Benefits
Posting Number: R0006987
Location: Salem Campus
ABOUT WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY:
Willamette University, founded in 1842, is a nationally-renowned private university enrolling 2800 students across five colleges. Our historic campus, adjacent to the Oregon State Capitol, hosts a distinguished undergraduate liberal arts college in Salem, Oregon. Our downtown Portland campus is home to the Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA). We offer a wide range of professional graduate programs, including Oregon's top-ranked MBA program, the Northwest's oldest law school, as well as MA/MFA programs at PNCA and master's degrees in data science and computer science.
Willamette University provides a high-value and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our
Benefits Summary includes options for health, dental, life insurance, retirement, substantial paid time off, tuition and more. If you need assistance applying for a job or have any questions on recruitment at Willamette, please contact our
HR Department,
[contact details available in the full listing] or call us at [contact details available in the full listing].
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Benefits (DB) is a critical thinker that manages all aspects of Willamette University's comprehensive benefit system. Reporting directly to the AVP for Human Resources, the DBL is responsible for the planning, design, implementation, maintenance, regulatory compliance, communication, and administration of all university-wide benefits and leave activities. The DB provides technical expertise and counsel to HR leadership, supervisors and current, former and prospective employees regarding policies and procedures.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provides strategic and operational leadership in the design, development, implementation, administration and communication of the University's benefits programs including health, dental, wellness, leaves of absence, and retirement.
Oversees and supervises day-to-day administration for all University benefits and leave programs, including, but not limited to health, dental, retirement, and life and disability programs, and non-core benefit programs such as voluntary benefits, and convenience programs, and statutory benefit programs such as workers compensation, ADA, FMLA and OFLA and Paid Leave Oregon. Administrative services include communications, enrollment, claims processing, claims and eligibility problem resolution, reimbursement processing, regulatory compliance including COBRA, HIPAA and DOL, vendor relationship maintenance, and enrollment/eligibility analysis and maintenance and invoice reconciliation and payment. Serves as subject matter expert regarding employee benefits and leaves.
Maintains an advanced knowledge of FMLA, OFLA, Paid Leave Oregon, ADA and other leave laws as required.
Oversees all leaves and accommodation requests associated with disability and protected leaves in accordance with state and federal requirements to ensure policies are applied accurately and consistently across the University.
Supervises workers compensation program, advising employees and managers regarding work-related injuries/illnesses and facilitating claims process and return-to-work activities. Serves as HR representative to the University safety committee. Maintains appropriate filing and tracking systems and prepares and posts annual reports required by OSHA.
Supervises, coordinates and manages the planning and production of benefit related events, including open enrollment, employee flu-shot and other health-supporting clinics and benefit-education meetings/presentations. May also coordinate events related to employee Wellness programs that help improve employee health.
Manages annual insurance renewal and requests for proposal (RFP), as needed, and participates in vendor evaluation, negotiations, and implementation activities. Serves as vendor contact for day-to-day benefit plan operations.
In conjunction with HR Generalist, creates and delivers educational benefits presentations to new hires. This includes responsibility for annual open enrollment.
Works with vendors to ensure timely completion of annual 5500 reporting forms and ensures timely filing to EBSA. Ensures timely distribution of mandated communications, including, but not limited to Summary Annual Reports (SAR), Summary Plan Descriptions (SPD), and Notifications of Material Modification, as well as Medicare Part D notices, HIPAA Certificates, and COBRA notices.
In conjunction with HRIS Manager, completes annual benefit surveys.
Provides mentorship and guidance to HR Generalist.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree
- A minimum of five years of experience managing the benefits, development, exhibiting knowledge of program principles and practices
- Experience managing retirement plan and working knowledge of ERISA laws
- Depth of knowledge of laws and best practices related to essential functions
- Knowledge and understanding of various workplace and employment regulations including but not limited to Fair Labor Standards Act, Oregon Pay Equity Act, Equal Employment Opportunity and other federal and state laws that apply to compensation, classification and hiring
- Strong project management skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Strong critical thinking, creative problem solving, and decision-making skills
- Strong competency in Microsoft and/or Google Office applications
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in a higher education setting
- Competency with Workday HRIS
- Supervisory experience
Salary: $120,000 to $140,000 DOE
Typical Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.
Physical Demands & Working Conditions: Typical work is performed indoors in a normal office environment.
You will need to upload the following two documents as part of your application materials in the "My Experience" section labeled Resume:
- Cover letter addressing the required and preferred qualifications
- Current Resume
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENT:
All University positions require that candidates submit to a criminal conviction record check prior to hire. Conviction does not automatically preclude candidates from being hired. Nature of conviction will be considered relative to the duties of the position.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANTS:
Please read the following carefully before beginning the online application process. To be considered for employment at Willamette University, please complete our online employment application. Your application and all required attachments -- listed at the bottom of the page -- must be submitted for each individual job post that you are interested in applying. Once you submit your application you will not be able to edit your application.
