Senior Benefits Consultant

Position Details

Classification Information

Position Classification Title

Human Resources Consultant

FLSA

Exempt

Position Class (Extract From Banner or PA)

11805

Position Overview

Position Summary

The Senior Benefits Consultant is responsible for all benefits and work-life programs, as the institutional subject matter expert, is responsible for educating and counseling employees, dependents, and retirees as well as campus managers and administrators of the different benefits plans that are available and the various state and federal rules that govern those plans. In addition, the Senior Benefits Consultant will research and facilitate any problems in an employee’s benefit elections and work with various vendor representatives to provide successful outcomes.

Provides information to new hires at employee orientation and generates timely communication materials. In addition, the Senior Benefits Consultant ensures that those working at the WSSU campus have timely and adequate notice of benefit programs, annual enrollments, and changes to benefit programs.

As necessary or desired, the benefits Senior Benefits Consultant develops, organizes/coordinates, and conducts employee seminars and workshops.

The Senior Benefits Consultant creates flyers, memorandums, and other applicable communications. Ensures that web communications stay updated and that collateral material (i.e., PowerPoint presentations, orientation materials, and other documents) is updated and posted appropriately. Updates all communication materials due to state statutes or federal regulatory changes that impact benefit programs. Develops programs that include policies, procedures, and materials for all campus-wide training programs, such as the employee assistance program, work/life offerings, and leave training.

As requested/required, prepares reports on benefit programs and outcomes.

The Senior Benefits Consultant is responsible for vendor remittance and reconciliation. Responsibility for benefits accounting consists of balancing the monthly payments against the enrollment records to audit the vendor reconciliation.

Specifically, the Senior Benefits Consultant must understand all benefit programs, eligibility, enrollment, and transaction rules. Manages vendor relationships with other department groups (i.e., Payroll, OHR ) that impact benefit program administration. Additionally, the Senior Benefits Consultant will advise and coordinate the functional enhancements of the benefits/HR section of the information systems. Must be adept at using WebFocus to query data from information systems.

Provide coordination and leadership for developing and implementing benefits information technology projects, such as operations and employee self-service functions. This includes analyzing, researching, and documenting system requirements, developing and maintaining project plans and schedules, and providing day-to-day oversight of assigned projects.

Serves as a member of the Change Advisory Board ( CAB ) of the University of North Carolina system.

The incumbent must work collaboratively with HR colleagues in talent acquisition, classification and compensation, performance management, employee relations, and training and development.

Primary Function of Organizational Unit

The Office of Human Resources is designed to deliver professional HR services and programs to the Winston-Salem State University campus. The staff, composed of experienced and knowledgeable/credentialed HR professionals, administers human resource programs for SHRA and EHRA non-faculty staff and institutional administrators, temporary and student employees, and faculty (benefits administration) at Winston-Salem State University. In addition, the office is responsible for the institution’s programs in benefits, staffing and talent acquisition, classification and compensation, employee relations, training, and professional development. performance management, as well as leave administration, position management, and unemployment compensation.

Position Information

Position Number

070038

Competency Level

Journey

Working Position Title

Senior Benefits Consultant

Building and Room No.

Eller Hall, Room 203
601 South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive

Work Hours: From [time] to [time] on [days] of [week]

Monday - Friday 8:00am -5:00pm; may work additional hours during peak seasons

Hours per week

40

Months per year

12

Appointment Type

Permanent Full-Time

If Time Limited.

No

Appointment Length.

12

DHR Assigned Fields

FTE

1

Requirements and Preferences

Position required to work during periods of adverse weather or other emergencies

No

Position required to work On-Call/Emergency Callback

No

Minimum Experience/Education

Graduation from a four-year college or university and two years of progressively responsible experience analyzing, interpreting, applying, communicating and promoting HR best practices in the context of organizational goals and objectives; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Degrees must be from appropriately accredited institutions

Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education

The incumbent should have significant benefits administration, presentation design and delivery expertise, excellent analytical abilities, well-developed project management skills, and strong communication skills. The successful candidate will understand and help the organization successfully manage complex and ongoing changes with implementation/upgrades to the University’s HR system, specifically as it relates to benefits; continuous evolution of responsibilities to accommodate organizational needs and objectives, which include the management of leave programs, phased retirement, policy/procedure development, benefit programs for special constituency fees such as post-docs, employee recognition programs, and the expansion of benefits programs offered by the University or the State of North Carolina. In addition, the position will ensure high levels of customer service and establish, interpret and make decisions about policies and procedures regarding service delivery to the campus community.

Required License or Certification

Valid US Driver's License

No

Commercial Driver's License Required

No

Physical Required

No

List any other medical/drug tests required

Posting Details

Posting Details

Posting Number

SPA00812P

Internal Posting Only

No

Time Limited Position

No

Appointment Length

Salary

39,622.00 - 94,506.00

Open Date

01/18/2023

Close Date

02/12/2023

Open Until Filled

No

Special Instructions Summary

Please Note: A criminal background check will be conducted on candidate finalist prior to the offer of employment.

If no applicants meet the competency, training, and experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing an electronic application. The application must be competed in full detail (including work history) for your candidacy to be considered.

Your application for the position is not considered complete until you receive an online confirmation number at the end of the process of applying for a position.

Key Responsibilities and Related Competencies

Key Responsibilities and Related Competencies

Competency

Communication - Verbal / Written

Describe the specific job duties related to this competency

Ability to communicate effectively with employees and management in a one-on-one or group setting to establish and maintain professional, effective working relationships with all levels and areas of the organization. Ability to create and present moderately complex information. Provide detailed updates at HR meetings. This position requires a high level of analytical, organizational, and communication skills to analyze benefit procedures, workflows, and processes and to identify opportunities for enhanced efficiency and improved customer service.

The Senior Benefits Consultant is responsible for ensuring that all interested and/or concerned individuals on campus have timely and adequate notice of benefit programs, annual enrollments, and changes to benefit programs. Creates flyers, memorandums, and other applicable communications. Ensures that web communications stay updated and that collateral material (i.e., PowerPoint presentations, orientation materials, and other documents) is updated and posted timely.

Percentage Of Time

20

Competency

Knowledge - Professional and Organizational

Describe the specific job duties related to this competency

Accountable for the management of accurate benefits administration data in the Banner system. Knowledge of the State Disability Income Plan rules & guide employees that may become disabled. Research and resolve leave issues and instruct management, supervisors, and employees about leave policies and procedures per UNC System Office guidelines.

Works independently to provide employees with information about supplemental retirement plans such as 403(b), 457, and 401(k) plans. Knowledge of federal laws, specifically the IRS Section Codes that apply to these types of plans, including compensation limits, contribution limits, catch-up provisions, and plans that vary from plan to plan.

The Senior Benefits Consultant is knowledgeable of new hire orientation and the integrity of benefits data in banner. Works independently with employees who are separating from the University to provide information about the disposition of benefits, programs/continuation of benefits coverage, including COBRA .

Must have a complete understanding of all benefit programs, eligibility rules, enrollment rules, and transaction rules. Coordinates education programs for employees with vendors and benefit consultants. Manages vendor relationships with other department groups (i.e., Payroll, OHR ) that impact benefit program administration. Prepares and analyzes metrics. The metrics are used to develop training and influence policy design and administration. In addition, the metrics are used to update the functional design of our information systems. The Senior Benefits Consultant will advise and coordinate the operational enhancements of the benefits/HR section of the information systems. WebFocus is used to query data from the information systems to prepare various metrics and audit reports.

The Senior Benefits Consultant designs the benefits office reporting for vendor remittance and reconciliation. The manager has responsibility for the benefits accounting, which consists of balancing the monthly payments against the enrollment records to audit the vendor reconciliation.

This position has been responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Affordable Care Act ( ACA ) requirements by preparing reports. The manager is responsible for designing the business processes required to maintain compliance with the ACA . In addition, the Deputy will manage the ACA benefits consultant and all components of the Federal legislation.

Percentage Of Time

30

Competency

Consultation

Describe the specific job duties related to this competency

Advises and collaborates with customers to resolve complex issues. Recognizes the impact of policies, procedures, and laws; applies knowledge and understanding of campus organizational culture, issues, and work relationships to address situations; shares knowledge and critical thinking process and promotes best practices to achieve mutually agreeable outcomes in the resolution of the issues. Develops and maintains productive collaborative work relationships to facilitate problem resolution; applies ongoing constructive feedback and response skills and techniques through clear communications with clients or assigned staff. Determines and documents a course of action to address complex, ambiguous, or unique operational and/or programmatic issues. The position will also be the change management specialist for the benefits office. In this role, they will help ongoing projects (change initiatives) meet business and schedule objectives.

Percentage Of Time

30

Competency

Program / Project Management

Describe the specific job duties related to this competency

Provide coordination and leadership for developing and implementing benefits information technology projects such as operations and employee self-service functions. This includes analyzing, researching, and documenting system requirements, developing and maintaining project plans and schedules, and providing day-to-day oversight of assigned projects. It will require a working knowledge of databases and MS Office. Work closely with the technical programmers and the unit Director to translate business requirements into functional specifications. Has responsibility for drafting the specifications for the technical team. Liaison with central OIT and vendors. Responsible for system testing concerning Benefits. The position leverages expertise and experience to develop and recommend process alternatives and solutions.

Percentage Of Time

20
Supplemental Questions

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