Position Type: Staff Full-time

Hours per week: 37.5   

Weeks per year: 52

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm (Hybrid Schedule Supported)

Department Summary & Job Purpose:

The Benefits Manager leads the benefits team and oversees all aspects of the health, welfare and leave benefits for our diverse employee population. In addition to being a subject matter expert related to benefits, the successful candidate will possess a broad range of technical and communication skills and is an active member of the HR Management Team.

Core Job Duties and Responsibilities: 

Benefits:

• Oversees management of all health and welfare, retirement and leave benefits.

• Works with brokers and consultants to conduct regular review and assessment of benefits programs and makes recommendations to senior leadership.

• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local legal requirements by studying existing laws and regulations and updates to legal requirements.

• Manages all employee communications with regards to benefits including compliance mailings and open enrollment.

• Conducts regular audits of benefit plans and enrollments for compliance and billing purposes.

• Resolves employee questions and problems by interpreting benefit policies and procedures.

• Manages leave entitlement tracking and works collaboratively with internal and external constituencies to monitor HRIS leave usage, payroll processing and leave tracking.

• Monitors regulatory changes and ensures that benefits programs remain in compliance with all state and federal laws

• Develops, maintains and ensures that benefits records are maintained accurately and timely.

Collaboration & Communication:

• Regularly engages community members and facilitates discussions on benefit design and implementation.

• Acts a liaison as needed for a variety of campus committees.

• Develops and delivers training as needed on benefits and other HR topics.

Technology:

• Oversees all HRIS management of benefit plans and coordinates with payroll to ensure timely processing of all premiums.

• Works closely with other HR partners to develop, test, and implement processes within the HRIS system.

Budget / Financial:

• Ensures that all benefits invoices are reconciled and processed timely and accurately.

• Verifies and processes payments for vendors and reimbursements for employees. 

Employee Engagement:

• Develops and leads collaborative, cross-departmental teams on a number of initiatives and events designed to build community and engage employees.

• Manages employee recognition initiatives.

Management:

• Acts as a regular thought partner with HR leadership to collaboratively develop solutions, policies and procedures.

• Oversees Benefits Administrator and HR Coordinator functions.

• Manages relationships with external vendors and business partners.

• Manages changes both systemically and individually. 

Qualifications:

• Proficient in HR information system processing
• Extensive knowledge of regulatory requirements of health, welfare and other benefits
• Demonstrated experience with contracted services and Vendor management
• Excellent conflict resolution skills
• Experienced in MS Office - particularly Word & Excel
• Strong verbal and written communication, interpersonal, and management skills
• Demonstrated analysis, critical thinking and decision making capabilities
• Bachelors or Associate degree in business administration or a related field and six years’ experience working in progressively responsible positions in Human Resources.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of process improvement methodologies.
• Thoughtful leader with sound judgment and the ability to handle confidential information and documents with a high degree of discretion.
• Ability to lead, develop and mentor high-performance teams.
• Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management, Finance, Accounting, Business Administration. Relevant experience in higher education or related fields preferred.
• HR certification (CEBS, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP)

License/Certifications:

Compliance Requirements:

Physical Demands:

• Primarily a sedentary position with occasional walking, lifting, carrying.
• Significant computer related tasks required.

Working Conditions:

• This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement.  

Background Checks:

Mount Holyoke College is committed to providing a safe and secure environment, supported by qualified employees that will allow all of its students, faculty, staff and those associated with them to successfully carry out the mission of the college. As a condition of employment, the College will conduct appropriate background checks for all new hires. Mount Holyoke has designated the Office of Human Resources as the office responsible for ensuring that background checks (CORI, SORI, Credit History, & Driver Credential) are completed and utilized in the hiring process and Five College Office of Compliance and Risk Management as the office responsible for facilitating background checks as articulated in this policy.

Special Instructions for Applicants: 

Apply online; application materials must include:

A cover letter summarizing interests and qualifications

A complete resume or curriculum vitae

Contact information for 3 professional references

Mount Holyoke College is a women’s college that is gender diverse. The College is committed to providing equal access and opportunity in employment and education to all employees and students. In compliance with state and federal law, Mount Holyoke College does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, genetic information, sex, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, ancestry, veteran or military status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state or local law. The College does not discriminate on the basis of gender in the recruitment and admission of students to its graduate program.

Mount Holyoke College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.