BENEFITS MANAGER
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
Full-time
Other
Posted on May 12, 2019
Req #: | 165081 |
Department: | HR BENEFITS, ANALYTICS & INFORMATION SYSTEMS |
Job Location Detail: | Roosevelt Commons West |
Posting Date: | 03/12/2019 |
Closing Info: | Open Until Filled |
Salary: | Salary is commensurate with experience and education. |
Shift: | First Shift |
Notes: | As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For detailed information on Benefits for this position, click here. |
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. All of which has allowed the UW to be nationally recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for five consecutive years.
The Human Resources department's mission is to support UW faculty and staff in successfully meeting the goals of the University by providing high quality and responsive human resources support to foster an exceptional work environment that encourages, nurtures and recognizes the professional development of University employees. The department's vision is to create a premier HR organization whose staff members are dedicated to the goal of working together to provide the highest possible quality of services in carrying out its mission.
HR Benefits, Analytics and Information Systems within UWHR has an outstanding full time opportunity for a Benefits Manager.
The benefits manager, reporting to the executive director of HR Benefits, Analytics and Information Systems, is responsible for understanding, advising and navigating benefits policy, the administration of state benefits and UW specific benefits offerings, and close collaboration with the Integrated Service Center (ISC) on intersections of policy and customer service. The benefits manager provides leadership to the team of three benefits consultants and one program manager and is expert in state benefits including the medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance plans, state retirement plans, and a range of other optional benefits. The benefits manager also provides leadership for the UW Retirement Plan and the Graduate Appointee Insurance Program (GAIP), participates in healthcare bargaining, and develops and implements policy changes and major initiatives. Develops and manages communication efforts (presentations, orientations, email and online information) to ensure employees understand benefit and retirement options.
COMPLEXITIES:
The manager must be able to communicate clearly and persuasively about complex policies and programs, and think strategically in developing new approaches and resourceful techniques to comply with federal and state laws in ways that reduce liability, achieve compliance, and are operationalized as efficiently as possible. Effective implementation of changes requires close collaboration with the ISC, the Washington State Health Care Authority, Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and other vendors.
UW purchases its healthcare and insurance package for 35,000 faculty and staff from the state Health Care Authority. Approximately 15,000 employees participate in retirement plans the state Department of Retirement Systems (Public Employees’ Retirement System and Teachers’ retirement System), while another 12,000 employees participate in the UW Retirement Plan 403(b) which the UW has local authority to offer. In addition, the UW has local authority to offer an optional 403(b) retirement savings plan available to all 40,000 UW faculty, staff, and employed students. With this blend of state and university provided benefits, the position offers the challenge of acting as a liaison mediating state-determined benefits packages (medical, dental, Public Employee Retirement System (PERS 1, 2 and 3) while directly managing vendor selection, negotiation of rates and terms, and managing relationships for other University provided benefits (UW Retirement Program, Voluntary Investment Program, Graduate Appointee Insurance Program).
This position will have frequent and substantive interactions with a variety of internal and external constituents, serving as the direct representative of the vice president for Human Resources as directed, and requires an effective leader with individual initiative, excellent communication skills, and the desire to motivate and serve multiple stakeholders while working within UW regulations and policies and ensuring overall compliance.
DIMENSIONS AND IMPACT:
This position has a direct impact on the University of Washington’s ability to attract and retain faculty and staff needed to successfully meet the University's goals of research, teaching, and service. The decisions and recommendations made may affect individuals, specific organizational units, and entire organization, the entire institution and, because of our relationship to other state higher education institutions, there can be a state-wide impact. Policy recommendations for changes to the benefits programs have University-wide implications that will carry into the future.
The position is required to monitor and review proposed benefits-related bills submitted to the State legislature and provide University administration analysis on what future affect the proposal may have on the University. The review includes creating fiscal notes, recommending possible amendments to proposed bills as necessary, and ensuring HR and the ISC are well informed of impacts.
This position will be required to work among and within multiple departments, representing administrative leaders at faculty, student and staff meetings, coordinating among multiple stakeholder groups and negotiating potentially challenging dynamics to ensure effective and compliant benefits administration.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Programs Administration:
Stakeholder Engagement and Consensus Building:
Team Leadership:
Supervisory:
REQUIREMENTS:
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
DESIRED:
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Position responsibilities may exceed normal work hours and require some evening and weekend work. Duties may also require travel to Olympia to participate in state “super table” for benefits bargaining or to meet with legislative staff or to testify in hearings.
Experience working with and communicating effectively, respectfully and compassionately with customers facing life-altering illness or death.
Excellent writing and communication skills.
Ability to maintain a positive attitude while working under pressure with inflexible deadline and a high degree of ambiguity.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
The University of Washington is a leader in environmental stewardship & sustainability, and committed to becoming climate neutral.
The University of Washington is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 / 206-543-6452 (tty) or dso@uw.edu.