- Kent Campus - Kent
- Staff/Unclassified
- Closing on: Apr 3 2025
- 991758
- Benefits - Kent Campus [100442]
Job Title
Manager, Employee Benefits
Physical Location:
Kent Campus - Kent, OH
Salary
$70,000 - $80,000
Basic Function
To manage and lead a comprehensive range of benefits programs to include personnel, projects, and daily activities to support the Division of People, Culture and Belonging’s strategy and enhance the employee experience across the university. Oversight and management of employee healthcare planning, Workers’ Compensation administration, Tuition Waiver benefits processing, Leave and Disability program administration, and periodic audits of benefits plans. Responsible for planning, organizing, coordinating, and implementing university activities associated with eligibility and enrollment in the university-sponsored employee benefits plans. Ensure effective communication of benefit offerings and that employees are well-informed about their options and how to access them. Evaluate and improve benefits programs to ensure they align with Kent State University’s goals, legal requirements, and employee needs. Work closely with Information Technology to manage complex Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP system activities and workflows, ensure data integrity, and maintain information to ensure accuracy and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, university policy, and collective bargaining agreements. Assume responsibility for onboarding and training benefits staff members and developing standard operating procedures for the department. May assist with strategic planning initiatives. Reports to Executive Director, University Benefits and Wellness.
Examples Of Duties
Additional Basic Function – if applicable:
Duties/essential functions may include, but not be limited to, the following:
Manage the day-to-day operations of the benefits staff; provide direction and supervision of benefits staff, including assigning and monitoring workload for staff, cycle time, results, and patterns. Monitor assigned projects and priorities; monitor timely and effective interaction with the university community (e.g., employees, retirees, former employees, etc.) and other university departments.
Create, revise, and provide regular metrics on department performance to the Executive Director of University Benefits and Wellness. Identify and report trends to the Executive Director and recommend any necessary resolutions. Provide feedback to the Executive Director regarding staff performance, cross-training, and professional development opportunities.
Serve as the project leader on assigned projects; plan, organize, coordinate, and implement the university activities in the areas of benefits education, new hire and open enrollment, data integrity, as it relates to eligibility, benefit-related deductions, supplemental insurance, tuition waiver, and retirement programs, etc. Collaborate with appropriate divisional and cross-divisional units to assess needs and deliver relevant programs (e.g., I.T., Payroll, HR Records, Academic Personnel, Employee Wellness, etc.).
Serve as the workers' compensation manager responsible for overseeing the university’s workers' compensation program and ensuring that claims are processed efficiently and in compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Manage timely reporting of injuries, coordinate with insurance carriers, and track claim progress from initiation to resolution. Work closely with HR Records, Payroll, Environmental Health and Safety, and other departments to ensure proper documentation, wage replacement, and return-to-work strategies for injured employees. Monitor claim trends, identify opportunities for program improvement, and ensure employees are aware of their rights and responsibilities under the Workers' Compensation program.
Create, revise, and review standard operating procedures (SOPs). Assess issues from various disciplines, including policy and technology, and recommend process improvements.
Research and compile data to complete benefits-related reports and surveys.
Attend meetings on behalf of the Executive Director of University Benefits and Wellness.
Actively participate in various departmental, divisional, and University committees.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Additional Examples of Duties – if applicable:
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business or Finance Administration, or related field. A minimum of four years of professional experience administering comprehensive benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, prescription, retirement, and life and disability insurance in the area of insurance/benefits administration; to include a minimum of one year of experience administering Workers' Compensation programs.
License/Certification
not applicable
Knowledge Of
Relevant human resources/benefits laws and regulations (e.g., COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, health care reform, etc.) *
Human Resources/Benefits systems with an understanding of how benefits eligibility and plan provisions are reflected in the systems *
Workers Compensation programs *
Skill In
Strategic planning
Customer service orientation *
Benefits administration *
Analyzing and applying policies and procedures to specific situations *
Public speaking *
Verbal and written communication *
Utilizing Microsoft Office Suite and other applicable software *
Adhering to deadlines *
Ability To
Provide leadership and direction
Plan, prioritize, and organize time to accomplish tasks in a high-volume and fast-paced environment
Be results and people-oriented *
Work independently and as part of a team in a self-directed
Prioritize and managing multiple projects/priorities and assignments
Read, interpret, and apply the context of legal documents, Ohio Revised Code, and university policy *
Adjust to unforeseen demands and priorities
Perform operational, transaction, and technical tasks within the HRIS system to design and administer employee *
Ability to develop and maintain effective and positive working relationships
Apply analytical and critical thinking skills, draw conclusions, and prepare accurate reports of results
Preferred Qualifications – If Applicable
Leadership/supervision
Ohio public service experience
Banner ERP experience
Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS)
Certified Benefits Professional (CBP)
Assessments
Asterisk (*) indicates knowledge, skills, abilities which require assessments
Working Schedule
Working Conditions / Physical Requirements:
Additional Information
Must pass a security check.
Kent State University is committed to creating a community that is culturally and intellectually diverse and to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that respect differences, and are inclusive, welcoming, respectful and kind.
Job Description
For official job descriptions, visit www.kent.edu/hr.
Kent State University is a Smoke-Free, Tobacco-Free University effective July 1, 2017. Smoking and tobacco use are not permitted on any of Kent State’s campuses or other locations and properties that are owned, operated, or leased by Kent State, both domestic and international. For additional details, visit www.kent.edu/smoke-free.
Disclaimer
The intent of this description is to illustrate the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and should not be interpreted to describe all the specific duties and responsibilities that may be required in any particular position. Directly related experience/education beyond the minimum stated may be substituted where appropriate at the discretion of the Appointing Authority. Kent State University reserves the right to revise or change job duties, job hours, and responsibilities.
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