ERS - Vendor Management Associate

Job Description

Our mission is simply stated: ERS offers competitive benefits to enhance the lives of its members. Each team member across the agency contributes to our ongoing success. ERS operates in a hybrid work environment, with flexible work schedules available to all employees.

Seeking Vendor Management Associate to perform advanced (senior-level) program consultative and technical work in performing deferred compensation and other employee benefit programs plan management for assigned vendors in the Group Benefits Program (GBP). Builds strategic relationships with internal and external partners for assigned GBP plans. Manages vendor performance to the terms and conditions of the Contractual Agreement. Works in a collaborative team environment dedicated to meeting division objectives under minimal supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Plan and Vendor Management Activities

• Serves as the primary operational contact for plan vendors; conducts oversight for the ongoing administration of assigned programs.
• Manages day-to-day vendor service delivery; implements program modifications; drives process improvements; and ensures adequate and timely problem resolution.
• Provides assistance in identifying, developing, and implementing new benefit designs, or contract policies and processes.

Governance

• Ensures plan documents are complete, accurate, and available to participants at the start of each plan year.

• Analyzes the impact of legislation, regulations and policies and provides recommendations or analysis of items with potential impact to benefit plans.

• Analyzes complex contract requirements, special provisions, terms and conditions for compliance with appropriate laws, regulations, and program, agency, and business unit policies and procedures.

Benefit Plan Oversight and Compliance

• Manages benefit plans to ensure that all contractual obligations are executed satisfactorily, ensuring that both the organization and the benefit plan providers (vendors) fulfill their responsibilities effectively.

• Maintains an accurate record to track and document compliance with benefit plan contracts, continually monitoring performance from the initial contract award through implementation, the contract's duration, any amendments, and eventual contract closure.

• Identifies, escalates, mitigates and resolves operational and contract compliance issues

Procurement Support Activities (Procurement Planning)

• Contributes to the development of solicitation content and defining the scope of work requirements for solicitations.
• Participates in bid response evaluations and operational site visits for assigned procurements
• Mentors and trains staff on the contract monitoring processes, procedures, and/or assigned plan requirements.

Required Minimum Qualifications: Your application for employment must reflect how you meet each of the following minimum qualifications:

1) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university. Each year of related experience over the required may be substituted for one year (30 semester hours) of required college credit.

2) Five (5) years of experience in vendor management, project management, relationship management, and/or strategy consulting (or a combination of these).

3) Two (2) years of experience in contract management.

4) Two (2) years of experience proofreading and/or editing complex, non-routine documents (e.g. legal or benefit documents) for diverse audiences.

Preferred Qualifications: Your application for employment should reflect how you meet the following preferred qualifications:

5) Three (3) years of experience with deferred compensation and benefits operations and/or service delivery.

6) Two (2) years of experience in Texas State procurement and contract management.

7) Two (2) years of experience with Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint.

Special Requirement:

Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) certification. Individuals who do not have this certification must obtain it within twelve (12) months of hire date. Must maintain valid certification for continued employment in position.

PLEASE NOTE: All applications should contain complete job history entries, which includes job title, dates of employment, name of employer, supervisor's name and phone number and a description of duties performed. If this information is not submitted, your application may be rejected because it is incomplete. Resumes do not take the place of this required information.

Other Information: This is not a remote only position. This position may require access to privileged, confidential, or sensitive data. ERS will conduct either a TXDPS or FBI criminal history check on all new hires. For more information about this policy inquiries can be made to employment@ers.texas.gov. Please note: Internal applicants in the same salary group and classification as the posted position are eligible to receive an increase in salary where applicable up to the posted maximum.

Military Occupational Specialty Codes:

Veterans, Reservists or Guardsmen with experience in the Military Occupational Specialty (https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_ProgramManagement.pdf) along with the minimum qualifications listed above may meet the minimum requirements and are highly encouraged to apply. Please contact Human Resources at employment@ers.texas.gov with questions or for additional information.

How to Apply: Ready to join the dedicated, customer-focused team at ERS? Submit the following to the ERS Human Resources Office:

A State of Texas Application for Employment submitted online through CAPPS Recruit.

• Use the link below to create a CAPPS Recruit account and build your profile on the "My JobPage" tab in the upper left corner of the screen.

• https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/327/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en

• Once your profile is complete, click on the "Job Search" tab in the upper left corner of the screen to view available career opportunities and submit your application.

• Note: Resumes will be accepted only as supplements to a State of Texas Application for Employment.

Applications submitted through Work in Texas:

If you apply for an ERS position via Work in Texas https://www.workintexas.com/vosnet/Default.aspx, you will also need to complete a supplemental questions form. For more details, refer to the instructions in the email you receive from CAPPS Recruit.

Please contact a Human Resources representative if you need assistance or require accommodation during the application process.

Email: Employment@ers.texas.gov

Web: www.ers.texas.gov

Relay Texas TDD: (800) 735-2989

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/employees-retirement-system-of-texas/