Program Manager, Benefits

Definition

The Department of Human Resources is seeking a talented individual to fill the position of Program Manager, Benefits. Under the direction of the Executive Director, Human Resources, the Program Manager, Benefits will possess strong technical expertise in benefits administration, and demonstrate core management competencies, including strategic thinking, effective communication, change management, and the ability to educate and influence employees at all levels of the organization.

This role will be responsible for evaluating and analyzing current benefit plans, identifying opportunities for consolidation and improvement, and leading the engagement and management of external consultants to conduct comprehensive cost analyses and assessing benefit options that best align with organizational goals and employee needs. The position also requires the ability to clearly communicate benefit offerings, lead employee education initiatives, and train staff to ensure understanding, utilization, and compliance.

Assignment

This is a classified administrator position with an anticipated start date of July 2026. This is an exempt, management position and is not subject to overtime.

Work Location: Daily location will be at West Valley College, Saratoga, CA with occasional meetings required at our Mission College in Santa Clara, CA.

Salary and Benefits

Salary Range:

• Initial hire range: $147,266 – 156,841 annually (Administrative Salary Schedule, Range 11, Steps A-C).
• Annual salary step increases to maximum of salary range, $183,593 annually (Administrative Salary Schedule, Range 11, Step H).

Benefits include:

• Additional compensation: $2,000 for doctorate added to base salary annually, to be prorated on a monthly basis.
• Employer-contributed medical, dental and vision for employee, spouse, and/or dependents.
• Employer-paid long term disability for employee.
• Employer-provided life insurance.
• 14 paid holidays, plus 1 floating holiday annually; paid non-workdays between Christmas and New Year.
• 22 days vacation leave accrued annually (25 days after 5 years).
• 12 days sick leave accrued annually.
• Personal necessity leave and personal business leave.
• Professional development and renewal leave.
• $1000 longevity award annually after 10 years of service and $1,500 longevity award annually after 15 years of service.
• CalPERS retirement.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of experience and education that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

• Experience: Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in benefits administration, with 2 years of experience in supervisory roles. Experience to include leadership in vendor management, regulatory compliance, and developing benefit options from start to completion.
• Equivalent of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in human resources, business administration, or a related field.

License and Certificate: Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver’s license as required by the position.

AND

Understanding of, and sensitivity to the diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, disability, and sexual orientation of community college students, faculty, and staff.

Desired Qualifications

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Benefits program design and administration
  • Health, dental, vision, life, disability, and voluntary benefits
  • Retirement and post-retirement benefits (e.g., CalPERS, CalSTRS)
  • Leave of absence programs (paid and unpaid)
  • Eligibility rules, enrollment life events, and coordination of benefits
  • Cost-sharing structures, planning funding models, and contribution strategies
  • how to design benefits that are competitive, sustainable, and aligned with organizational goals.
• Strong working knowledge of complex and overlapping regulations is essential, including:
  • Federal laws: ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA
  • Leave laws: FMLA, CFRA, ADA, PDL, PFL
  • State and education-specific requirements (e.g., California Education Code)
  • Collective bargaining agreements and Board policies.

Ability to:

• Analyze and interpret data, interpret surveys, and manage budgets.
• Effectively communicate with employees and stakeholders.
• Demonstrate Proficiency with HRIS systems and Microsoft Office products.
• Interpret and apply rules to real-world situations, reducing institutional risk.
• Select and evaluate insurance carriers, brokers, TPAs, and leave administrators.
• Resolve escalated vendor issues. This includes the ability to hold vendors accountable while maintaining productive partnerships.
• Use technology to streamline operations, reduce errors, and improve employee experience.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lead the design and execution of health, welfare and leave of absence programs to ensure they meet the district’s strategic and operational goals.
• Design, analyze, and update benefits programs to align with district goals and market trends.
• Interpret and apply complex regulations including ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, COBRA, and California Education Code.
• Select and manage third-party insurance providers, brokers, and administrators, ensuring successful achievement of business objectives.
• Lead annual enrollment processes, including developing communication strategies and system updates.
• Act as the subject matter expert, resolving complex benefits issues and educating staff and retirees on benefit packages.
• Streamline benefits administration processes and utilize HRIS software for efficient tracking.
• Manage the day-to-day administration of all employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life and all other offerings.
• Lead key benefits projects such as open enrollment, implanting new programs, enhancing systems and supporting broader initiatives as needed.
• Oversee the auditing, assessment, and payment of health and welfare invoices; conduct monthly reconciliation of vendor premiums to ensure the District does not over or under pay.
• Ensure district-wide compliance with absence management, including state and federal regulations (FMLA, CFRA, ADA, PDL, PFL), board policies, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Compile and analyze complex benefits and absence data to prepare and deliver reports for the Executive Director, Vice-Chancellor of HR, Executive Management team, Board of Trustees and Finance.
• Design and execute multi-platform communication strategies (email, print, digital, and virtual) to educate and drive engagement among active employees and retirees.
• Work closely with Payroll, Finance, Legal and other teams to ensure seamless benefits operations and compliance.
• Assist and counsel employees and retirees on sensitive or complex benefits related questions, including absence plans.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other district employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Foster an environment that embraces diversity, integrity, trust and respect.
• Be an integral team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation and communication.
• Perform related duties as assigned.