Benefits Manager

Join the KPERS Team as a Benefits Manager – Make a Difference Every Day!

At KPERS, located in Topeka, Kansas, we’re proud to serve those who serve our communities. We provide vital disability and death benefits to protect public employees during their careers—and ensure they enjoy lifetime benefits when they retire. Our members come from all walks of life and professions, united by a shared commitment to serving Kansans.

KPERS isn’t just about pensions — we’re about people. We believe in supporting our team as much as we support our members. If you’re passionate about leading a dedicated team, delivering exceptional customer service, and making a meaningful impact on the lives of public employees, then this is the role for you.

Responsibilities

We are looking for a Benefits Manager with a heart for public service, exceptional communication skills, and a commitment to teamwork and continuous improvement.

As a Benefits Manager, you will be responsible for leading and inspiring a team focused on providing clear, compassionate, and expert guidance on retirement benefits. You’ll oversee daily operations, ensure high-quality service, and collaborate across departments to improve processes that matter. Your leadership will help our team thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

• Lead, coach, and support a team that administers retirement and survivor benefits.
• Foster a positive, collaborative team culture built on communication and respect.
• Support your team by serving as a functional expert for retirement programs and processes.
• Ensure our members and employers receive timely, accurate, and courteous service by monitoring and tracking team performance and completion of retirement files.
• Guide your team’s professional growth and training.
• Drive improvements in processes to boost efficiency and member satisfaction.
• Audit and approve benefit payments processed by your team.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state laws, the Retirement Act and Internal Revenue Service guidelines and the Retirement Systems policies.
• Responsible for the investigation and resolution of complex member benefit, employer or customer service issues or complaints.
• Collaborate with external partners to deliver seamless service on disability and life insurance benefits.
• Prepare and share important performance data to help shape KPERS’ future.

Experience Required

Five years of experience in public or benefits administration with three years of professional supervisory experience. Education may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the agency.

Skills and Abilities

• Commitment to providing exceptional service to members and employers and support to staff members.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships in a team environment.
• Ability to analyze processes and information, identify problems and trends, and develop effective solutions and strategies.
• Experience and ability to organize work, set priorities, and meet critical deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate and manage well at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor in volatile situations requiring a high degree of sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality, professionalism, integrity, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills including the ability to convey complex or sensitive information in an understandable manner.
• Ability to understand and interpret state and federal laws and regulations, policies, and directives.
• Experience working with computer applications including Microsoft Office products.
• Proficiency in Spanish is a plus.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

To protect the personal health information of candidates, the Kansas Department of Administration tracks disability preference for all State agencies. Health information is not collected at the individual State agency level. Therefore to receive Disability Preference – applicants must apply for this job through the State of Kansas Careers Center at https://admin.ks.gov/offices/personnel-services/jobs. The Kansas Department of Administration will inform KPERS of your preference. View all jobs, then filter by our name – Ks Public Employees Retirement System.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference on the Kansas Department of Administration website.

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

The Kansas Department of Administration tracks veteran's preference for all State agencies. This information is not collected at the individual State agency level. Therefore to receive Veteran's Preference – applicants must apply for this job through the State of Kansas Careers Center at https://admin.ks.gov/offices/personnel-services/jobs. The Kansas Department of Administration will inform KPERS of your preference. View all jobs, then filter by our name – Ks Public Employees Retirement System.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference Learn on the Kansas Department of Administration website