Director of Benefits

Job Overview
The Director of Benefits is responsible for the strategic management and communication of all College employee benefits programs with an aggregate budget in excess of $16M. This position reports to the Chief Human Resources Officer and manages the Benefits Specialist and the Benefits and Payroll Administrator. This position is a 1.0 FTE.
Duties and Responsibilities
Manage and communicate all Wheaton College benefit programs including but not limited to medical, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, vacation, leaves of absence (Illinois Paid Leave, FMLA, new employee medical leave, short term disability, long term disability, paid parental caregiver leave, VESSA leave, etc.) educational benefit, 403(b) retirement savings program, flexible spending plan, retiree medical, workers’ compensation, and continuation of benefits (COBRA)

Maintain benefit records.
Write and update policies for the benefits programs.
Ensure compliance with communication and reporting requirements of the government and insurance carriers including filing 5500 tax forms.
Negotiate coverage renewals.
Remain up to date on current benefits laws and trends, making recommendations to alter existing programs when appropriate or necessary

Supervise HR professionals dedicated to the Benefits area. Provide oversight, establish priorities, develop processes, and coordinate workflow.
Administer deferred compensation and tax-deferred annuity 403(b) plans.

Manage required annual audit in conjunction with outside auditing firm.
Maintain legal and plan documents.
Coordinate regulatory communications and compliance.
Assist with participant transactions: enrollment, rollovers, loans, salary deferrals, withdrawals.
Carry out plan and investment changes as determined by the Retirement Plan Investment Committee.

Maintain vendor relationships, serving as the liaison between the College and the benefit providers.
Serve on the Retirement Plan Investment Committee and other campus committees, as needed.,
Plan and organize benefits education opportunities for employees (e.g. Medicare Seminar, Social Security Seminar, open enrollment education, etc.).
Participate in Higher Education focused peer groups (Pathfinders, CUPA-HR, etc.) for networking, reference, continuing education.
Assist in the project planning and implementation of department-wide strategic projects such as a compensation study or a systems conversion.
Coordinate general employee communications, assisting the Chief Human Resources Officer with review of policies and changes as required by new and existing laws.
This job description is intended to represent key areas of responsibilities; specific assignments may vary from time to time, and other duties may be assigned.
Qualifications
BA required, preferably in Human Resources, Organization and Development, Business or a related field.
Five years of experience in benefit management and administration.
Proficiency in MS Word and Excel. Oracle experience a plus.
Strong analytical skills, strategic thinking capability, and attention to detail.
Excellent communication skills.
Physical Requirements
Theemployeeisregularlyrequiredtosit,talk,orhear;frequentlyrequiredtouserepetitivehand motion,handleorfeel,andtostand,walk,reach,bendorliftupto10pounds.
FLSA Status -

Exempt
As a Christ-centered community, Wheaton College faculty and staff must affirm the College’s Statement of Faith as expressing their own theological convictions and agree to live by the moral standards in Wheaton’s Community Covenant, modeling these commitments for the Christian formation of our students. Wheaton College faculty and staff also support the Christ-Centered Diversity Commitment which highlights our desire to treat all individuals as equal image-bearers of Jesus Christ through diversity, inclusion, justice and unity.

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