DIRECTOR/BENEFITS & WELLNESS

Position Number: S-3276

Position Summary:

Central Michigan University prioritizes the health and well-being of faculty and staff. The Director of Benefits and Wellness is a member of the Human Resources Leadership Team, responsible for developing, negotiating, and directing all university employee benefit programs, including health, prescription, dental, vision, life, disability, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement, wellness, employee assistance program, tuition benefits, and related programs. The Director plans, leads, directs, and coordinates benefits policies, activities, and team, and provides the Associate Vice President with strategic planning recommendations to ensure effective, efficient, and legally compliant administration of university employee benefits. Reports directly to the Associate Vice President for Human Resources. 

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree, preferably in human resource management, business administration or a related field. Six years' progressively responsible administrative experience, with at least three years' experience in benefit administration. Knowledge of regulations and compliance requirements related to benefits administration. Demonstrated strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Leadership and team management experience, fostering a collaborative and positive customer-service environment. Strong organizational skills, ability to take initiative, work independently, and lead projects from start to finish. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated collaborative approach and ability to establish credibility and trust with stakeholders. Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Demonstrated proficiency with spreadsheets, current office software such as Microsoft Office, and software applications. Ability to perform the essential functions and requirements of the job with or without accommodations. 

Duties & Responsibilities:

Manages the administration of all university employee benefit programs including regular evaluation and analysis of programs and services. Benefits programs include self-funded medical, prescription, and dental, fully insured medical and prescription, vision, life, disability, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement plans, tuition benefits, employee assistance program, wellness, and voluntary benefits. Develops and maintains productive vendor and consultant relationships and delivery, to ensure adherence to contracts, excellent levels of service and satisfactory issue resolution. Continuously assesses benefits market to identify benefit trends and best practices, evaluates and recommends programs, carriers, plan design, and costing. Ensures benefits comply with state and federal laws, enforces adherence to requirements, advises management on necessary changes to assure compliance with applicable laws. Works with legal counsel to prepare and execute benefit documentation such as plan documents and amendments, summary plan descriptions, vendor agreements, etc. Develops, implement, and evaluate benefits-related policies and procedures. Oversees accurate and timely processing of third-party billing payments including auditing, resolution of discrepancies, oversees reconciliation of benefit accounts. Oversees analysis of self-funded program utilization and costs, works with consultants to develop rate structures for self-funded programs, oversees reporting of claims trends and analysis of quarterly/annual settlements, manages reserve fund assets. Manages annual open enrollment including communications, presentations, coordination with collective bargaining, university budget processes, and SAP processes. Develops communication and education strategies that will create and enhance awareness and understanding amon