Minimum Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Minimum Experience

6

Summary

The Benefits Manager acts as the first line manager and senior technical member of the Benefits staff.  The incumbent has an enterprise role and provides leadership and direction to other staff members in day-to-day work and in resolving benefits questions and issues.  Responsible for leading and managing activities related to the overall design, implementation, communication, and administration of the Board-wide benefits programs. Performs complex research and analysis of benefits programs and leads projects related to significant benefits issues involving legislative and regulatory compliance, cost-effectiveness and competitiveness. Responsible for vendor management and procurement of benefits contracts.  Represents the Board on task forces and/or committees regarding benefits issues.  Under the direction of the Senior Total Rewards Manager ensures that benefits programs support the Board's strategic objectives and meet all legal and regulatory requirements while being cost effective and competitive.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for the overall management of the Benefits Office. Creates goals and objectives; assigns projects and other work to
  Benefits staff and manages overall performance of the section. Manages technical work and provides leadership, guidance,
  motivation, and coaching to Benefits staff. Evaluates the performance of Benefits staff. Makes recommendations for personnel
  actions (hiring, types of positions, promotions, salary reviews), Responsible for fostering teamwork and for instilling a strong
  customer service mindset in Benefits staff. Manages the operating budgets of the benefits section.

• Conduct studies of significant benefit-related issues by researching, reviewing, and analyzing data. Recommends new initiatives,
  changes or interpretations of policies and procedures while ensuring that programs incorporate sound cost containment principles,
  anticipate and meet legislative/regulatory requirements, and reflect organizational needs and goals. Make oral and written
  presentations for senior management. Serves as project manager for selected benefits program implementation. Handles issues of
  a complex or sensitive nature, particularly related to retirement and thrift plan issues. Perform these activities independently and
  consult with Total Rewards Senior Manager. Monitors benefits plan utilization and identify trends that may impact costs.

• Ensures benefits plans comply with applicable laws and regulations, working with Legal Division or outside consultants as
  appropriate. Ensures corresponding benefits policies are current, competitive, and legal Reviews new, or changes to, procedures
  and programs received from OEB or OPM and ensures accurate implementation with counsellors, Acts as Board liaison with OEB
  and Recordkeeper vendor on thrift and retirement administration.

• Develops and revises both oral and written benefit communications material, Responsible for ensuring accurate and up-to-date
  benefits communications on the Board's intranet site, in plan documents and summary plan descriptions, the Customer
  Relationship Management (CRM) tool, new hire orientation, recruiting brochures, retirement and thrift handbooks, total rewards
  statements, and other media (such as video) and printed materials. Identifies communications gaps and recommend new systems
  and methods for benefits communications delivery.

• Leads procurement initiatives for the benefits section. Prepares for plan negotiations through timely identification of relevant issues,
  preparation of cost projections and supporting analyses of carrier proposals. Coordinates work with outside contractors. Writes, or
  otherwise delegates, and reviews specifications for major contractual job requirements. Monitors and reviews contractual work, and
  certifies satisfactory job accomplishment, May act as Contract Officer's Technical Representative (COTR).

• Resolves complex benefits issues or problems with insurance carriers, OEB, and benefits consultants. Oversee the development of
  automated solutions for managing, monitoring and reporting alternate work arrangement, STD/LTD, FMLA, etc. and the associated
  integrations. Consults with Total Rewards Senior Manager or legal counsel about exceptions to policy.

• In partnership with the Technology Team contributes to the automation solutions for the Benefits Office, including but not limited to,
  automation related to HCM Systems (such as Workday and Service Now) OPM (TCC, CLER), retirement and thrift recordkeeper,
  and vendor interfaces and feeds. Partners with other departments such as Technology Services, Payroll, Accounting and outside
  vendors to accomplish technical goals and objectives. Monitors the work of the Benefits Office through the CRM tool and adjusts
  workload.

• Responsible for responding to requests for data through the annual Financial Accounting Standards (FAS) life insurance and
  retirement valuations processes, Sarbanes-Oxley, and other audit requests. Establish policies and procedures to address internal
  controls and make changes as necessary. Also responsible for all reporting requirements of all relevant government rules and
  regulations, including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

Requires bachelor's degree and excellent analytical ability, oral and written communications skills. Requires expertise in the benefits area of human resources management normally acquired through 6 years extensive responsible work experience and a broad understanding of the interrelationships between benefits and other human resources disciplines. Preferred experience in federal government benefits programs, including various health, dental, vision, retirement and pension plans. Technical benefits knowledge of automated systems (Workday and Service Now desired). Demonstrated abilities in strategic planning, program design, risk assessment and monitoring, automation, staff supervision, and functional management.

Applies guidelines, including Board, division, Federal Reserve System, and in some instances, federal government policies and regulations in addressing benefits problems, but independently determines methods and approaches to problem resolution. Confers with Sr. Manager and Chief Human Capital Officer on issues that deviate significantly. Resolves benefit issues at a program development level, including identification and development of automated solutions for monitoring benefit plans. Develops oversight principles.

The work requires initiating, directing, and performing analyses of complex regulations and operational issues affecting Board benefit programs. Must have a good understanding of the operations technical, policy legal, and regulatory requirements for Benefits programs. Follows changes in law and regulations and recommends creative solutions to operational and policy issues based on an understanding of the subject matter. The work also involves the development of new systems, processes, and procedures to ensure effective delivery and administration of benefits services.

The work affects programs that impact all Board employees, compliance with benefits regulations, delivery of services, and the design of benefits programs.

Interacts with all levels of Board staff regarding Board benefit programs. Represents the Board on committee and Federal Reserve System benefits initiatives. Develops industry and Federal Reserve Bank contacts and resources regarding trends and emerging issues. Make presentations to senior level Board staff.

Manager of staff dedicated to benefits function. May also direct work of other Division staff and of work teams.