Manager, Benefits

Manager, Benefits

Company:
Western Governors University

Job Location:

Category:
Human Resources

Type:
Full-Time

Job Type: Full time

Job Number: JR-024487

Location: Salt Lake City, UT

If you're passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country-and you're committed to working hard to play your part in building that future-consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Grade: Management_Executive 608 Pay Range: $101,000.00 - $181,800.00

Job Description

The Benefits Manager plays a key role in advancing WGU's total rewards strategy by leading a team of Benefits Analysts and serving as the primary subject matter expert for retirement programs and healthcare savings plans. This role shapes the experience of employees across the university by stewarding complex benefit operations, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving continuous improvement across systems, processes, and vendor partnerships.

What You'll Do

• Lead and develop a team of Benefits Analysts to ensure effective execution of day-to-day benefits administration and employee support.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for retirement programs, healthcare savings plans, and benefit integration files, including interpreting and implementing new regulations and policies.
• Oversee administrative functions for retirement and healthcare savings plans, including audits, filings, documentation, and regulatory compliance.
• Plan, organize, and prioritize multiple operational and strategic benefits activities.
• Conduct and review data reconciliations, audits, configuration checks, and utilization reporting across internal and external systems.
• Provide project ownership and support for Open Enrollment, annual renewals, vendor file updates, and other critical initiatives.
• Participate in benchmarking, survey responses, process improvement efforts, and governance support activities.

What You'll Bring

• Advanced knowledge of employee benefits trends, laws, and regulations, especially related to retirement and healthcare savings plans.
• Strong understanding of HRIS processes and cross-functional impacts across enterprise systems.
• Ability to conduct root-cause analysis, identify drivers of outcomes, and recommend improvements.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with senior leadership, cross-functional partners, and external vendors.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to interpret technical HR materials and present complex information clearly.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment with shifting priorities.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Bonus Points if You Have:

• Experience working in a large organization with 1,000+ benefits-eligible employees.
• Workday experience.
• CEBS, SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP, or PHR/SPHR certification.
• Proficiency in Spanish as we also support WGU Mexico

What to Expect

At WGU, our mission drives everything we do - including how we hire. Our interview experience is designed to give qualified candidates the opportunity to show their best work through meaningful conversations, practical problem-solving, and authentic collaboration.

We thoughtfully review every application and invite forward the candidates whose experience and potential best align with the role and our mission. If selected, you'll hear from a recruiter or hiring manager who will guide you through the process and help you know what to expect at each stage. We aim to communicate decisions promptly and respectfully.

Work Location

This is a full-time, in-office position at WGU's office in Salt Lake City, Utah.

While we welcome talented applicants from all backgrounds, WGU is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this specific role.

What You'll Receive as a Full-Time WGU Employee

This role is a full-time, regular position (40 standard weekly hours) and includes a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing and growth.
As a WGU employee, you'll enjoy:
* Comprehensive healthcare: medical, dental, vision, telehealth, and mental health support
* HSA and FSA options
* Life and disability insurance, with optional accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity coverage
* Legal assistance and identity protection
* Retirement savings plan
* Wellbeing programs
* Discounted WGU tuition for you and your family
* Flexible PTO and Sick time - no accrual required
* 11 paid holidays
* Additional paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave

Explore the full benefits overview at https://wgubenefits.com.

We're looking forward to getting to know you and seeing how you think, collaborate and build. Welcome to WGU.

Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It's not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.

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