Benefits Director, Health Programs & Time-Away

Working Title: Benefits Director, Health Programs & Time-Away
Official Title: HR Manager 3, Benefits

The Health Programs Director is responsible for the strategy, design, implementation and communications of the University's health and time-away benefits, policies, and processes. This includes, but is not limited to: Medical, dental, wellbeing, life, disability, COBRA, flexible spending accounts, vacation, sick time, federally and state-mandated time away benefits, and various voluntary benefits. This position reports to the Senior Director of Total Rewards within the Office of Human Resources (OHR). The Office of Human Resources reports to the President of the University of Minnesota.

Major Responsibilities

• Serve as a key member of the University's Total Rewards department, providing strategic leadership of health program and time-away programs, ensuring they are in alignment with, and promote, the University-wide Total Rewards strategy.
• Build, sustain, and actively manage a high performing benefits team of benefit consultants and analysts
• Regularly review the University's benefit offerings for potential improvement and innovation through benchmarking, research, and networking with professional associations.
• Remains current on understanding the diverse and changing employee needs and trends that that impact employee benefit plans. This includes current knowledge of health equity, plan designs, technology, and best practices.
• Prepare analytic driven plan recommendations and proactively identify industry and regional trends.
• Manage full cycle benefits RFP as well as vendor implementations
• Establish annual benefits and wellbeing budgets; partner with OHR leaders and staff to provide periodic reporting to leaders with understanding of costs and trends to support efficient and effective delivery of benefit programs.
• Monitor administrative costs and pricing of benefit programs and recommend strategies that proactively address challenges, including alternate methods of administration.
• Ensure benefit vendors and consultant relationships are well managed
• Support compliance of benefit programs in accordance with regulatory and legislative requirements-HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, and other state and federal regulatory and legislative requirements as well as University policies and procedures.
• Provide strategic benefits expertise and support for collective bargaining efforts
• Partner with the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), the Administrative Work Group (AWG), the Benefits Advisory Committee (BAC) and other internal stakeholders to recommend and implement new benefit offerings or changes to offerings.
• Partner with OHR Communications to drive effective communication of benefit strategies and programs.
• Design and deliver benefit presentations and reporting to University administrators, Board of Regents, management teams and employee committees.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Senior Director of Total Rewards

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications

• BA/BS in Human Resources or related fields with a minimum 10 years progressively more responsible benefits experience working with mid to large employer health and welfare plans in a self-insured environment.
• Demonstrated experience as a supervisor/manager of a professional staff
• Strong project management skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to develop strong fact-based business cases for any recommended changes
• Experience establishing third party contracts and managing service providers
• Demonstrated record of supporting principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action in promoting a diverse workforce
• Strong customer service orientation and ability to develop collaborative relationships across a large, diverse, and decentralized organization
• Strong communication skills with a documented ability to communicate effectively and concisely with a broad spectrum of internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrated facilitation and high emotional intelligence
• Demonstrated skill for listening to others and objectively considering others' ideas and opinions
• Remains up to date on existing and new regulations that apply to employee benefits (IRS, EEO, HIPAA, ERISA, etc.)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree, preferably in HR or related discipline or CEBS certification.

Benefits

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America’s Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).