Assistant Director of Employee Benefits, Accommodations, and Leave Administration
Assistant Director of Employee Benefits, Accommodations, and Leave Administration
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$ 68640 - 90000
1 Vacancy
Job Description
POSITION CODE: 7597
DEPARTMENT/ADMINISTRATION: Assistant Director of Employee Benefits Accommodations and Leave Administration
POSITION: Administrative Exempt Full-time (40 Hours)
SALARY RANGE: $68640-$90000
HIRING RANGE:Anticipated hiring range is near or at the minimum of the classification
commensurate with candidates education experience skills and training.
INTRODUCTORY PERIOD: Twelves (12) Months
AVAILABLE:Immediately
BENEFITS OVERVIEW:BROCHURE
POSTING DATE:May 21 2025
APPLICATION DEADLINE:Open Until Filled Apply Immediately
Definition of Classification:
The Assistant Director of Benefits Wellbeing & Leave Administration is a key leadership role within the Human Resources (HR) team responsible for driving strategic and operational aspects of employee benefits wellbeing programs and leave administration that align with the Universitys mission strategic plan and HR goals. Reporting to the AVP of Talent Diversity and Culture & Chief Human Resources Officer this position provides strategic consultation guidance and innovation of the universitys comprehensive benefits programs serving faculty administrators and staff in our academic communities. The Assistant Director brings a collaborative perspective a commitment to excellence in employee experience and forward-thinking approach technology integration that supports the needs of all university employees. Responsible for effective benefit implementation and maintenance programs management of all leaves of absence workers compensation and employee accommodations.
This role leads a dynamic Benefits Wellbeing and Leaves concierge approach team ensuring streamlined and employee centered and timely assistance in managing health retirement and other benefit plan questions as well as ensuring compliance with relevant Assistant Director plays a key role in delivering effective communication strategies along with administration and compliance for health and wellness benefits and leave of absence options and information to employee to support their well-being by providing resources and training. The consultative strategic approach continues through all stages of the employee lifecycle and manages open enrollment life events deferred compensation program tuition remission and exchange program as well as overseeing leave of absence and benefits reconciliation. The Assistant Director partners with senior leaders across campus to deliver inclusive and effective benefits wellbeing and leave strategies and solutions with a strong focus on providing information benefits and resources.
Acting as a strategic thought partner and trusted advisor the Assistant Director cultivates strong relationships with stakeholders to forecast benefit and wellbeing needs identify process improvements and implement strategies to support a healthy environment and employee experience that is committed to fostering a workplace culture that prioritizes employee wellbeing engagement and support. This role provides a unique opportunity to enhance the universitys benefits and wellness strategies while shaping innovative programs that have a lasting impact on the faculty administrators and staff community. The Assistant Director of Benefits Wellbeing and Leave Administration is instrumental in supporting a workforce that reflects the universitys values of equity inclusion and excellence.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
- In partnership with the AVP Talent Diversity and Culture & Chief Human Resources Officer develop and implement a forward-looking benefits strategy that supports the academic mission institutional goals and the needs of the university population
- Oversee the universitys employee benefit programs and wellbeing strategy ensuring comprehensive communication administration and compliance for health and wellness retirement and time-off policies
- Effectively delivers critical information tailored to different audiences and perspective
- Maintains open lines of communication actively listening to questions issues and concerns from the Human Resources Leadership Team and other stakeholders
- Builds consensus by resolving conflicts in an open and positive manner
- Oversee all aspects of faculty and staff benefits programs including healthcare retirement wellness tuition leave policies and international assignments
- Lead the full-cycle company-wide open enrollment process including planning employee education vendor coordination and execution
- Ensure delivery of an optimal employee experience for benefits related processes and events (e.g. Open enrollment life events onboarding etc.) to ensure employee understanding of benefits plan offerings policies and key dates.
- Partner with Human Resources Leadership Team in promoting wellness initiatives and innovative programs that anticipate employee needs and optimizing the employee experience
- Partner with the Payroll team to ensure operational excellence
- Ensure compliance with benefits-related regulations and university policies stay informed on industry trends and legislative changes
- Manage benefits administration using the universitys Human Capital Management System (UKG Pro)to ensure accurate record-keeping and seamless employee support
- Maintain expert knowledge of group medical/dental plan policies and practices to optimize benefits offerings for employees
- Design and execute employee wellbeing initiatives that support physical mental and financial wellness.
- Implement and oversee programs such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) wellness challenges financial planning resources and health screenings
- Oversee the administration of 403(b) remittances ensuring compliance accuracy and seamless coordination with payroll
- Ensure compliance with ERISA IRS regulations and internal policies for 403(b) contributions
- Support internal audits by maintaining compliance documentation and prepare reports for key stakeholders
- Maintain detailed records of remittances enrollments and contribution adjustments
- In partnership with Payroll ensure accurate deduction and timely transmission of employee contributions to the retirement plan provider
- Lead initiatives to educate employees on 403(b) plan options contribution strategies and retirement planning
- Partner with Payroll to ensure seamless processing of contributions and compliance with financial regulations
- Build and maintain strong relationships with Offices of Business and Finance and other key stakeholders to understand their needs and ensure their expectations are met
- Manages annual Form 5500 filings audits and retirement plans
- Drive employee engagement in wellbeing initiatives through effective communication and training.
- Working with stakeholders across campus identify wellness partnerships and leadership opportunities to enhance employee engagement and wellbeing.
- Oversee the universitys leave management programs to ensure compliance with federal state and local laws.
- Stay current on industry trends and best practices in leave management applying insights to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
- Conduct regular audits of leave processes and vendor practices to minimize risk and ensure full compliance federal and state-specific laws and regulations including but not limited to with FMLA CFRA ADA ACA PFL SDI and Workers Compensation
- Provide proactive guidance to internal stakeholders on risk mitigation strategies and leave-related compliance issues
- Serve as the primary liaison between the university and the external leave vendor ensuring employees receive comprehensive support throughout the leave process
- Continuously refine leave policies to align with best practices compliance requirements and organizational goals
- Facilitate effective communication between employees people leaders and internal stakeholders to ensure a positive employee experience throughout the leave process
- Provide data analytics and ad hoc reports detailing people measures and metrics including employee benefits leaves of absence workplace injury and related trends
- Identifies risks and issues with benefits and compliance escalating and triaging appropriately
- Maintain compliance with federal and state laws and regulations that impacts the employer-employee relationship in relation to employee benefits and leave administration
- Manage benefits vendor relationships and contracts to ensure service excellence and value
- Provide leadership and mentorship to team members to promote professional development and deepen their understanding of benefits and leave management best practices
- Regularly report on leave trends program performance and process improvement opportunities to senior leadership
- Drive results that increase employee health and productivity including metrics related to return-to-work rates reduced durations and incidences and improved satisfaction with internal plans and processes
- Supervise and mentor benefits team members fostering a high-performance service-oriented culture.
- Lead complex cross-functional projects by understanding stakeholder requirements and building consensus with creative and collaborative solutions.
- Provide day-to-day leadership and support fostering a collaborative and results-driven team environment
- Innovate streamline and standardize processes to improve the quality and consistency of benefits and leave administration service delivery
- Act as the primary point of contact for escalations and complex coordination issues resolving them promptly and effectively
- Partner closely with HR core function areas including employee relations recruitment compensation employee engagement learning and development to ensure seamless execution of HR initiatives and programs
- Works with HR Leadership Team on process improvement teams to implement best HR practices and deliver continuous improvements in service
- Collaboartes with HR Leadership Team in formulating HR policies ensuring compliance and safeguarding sensitive personnel information.
- Partner with HR Leadership Team to develop strategies based on insights that improve employee and organizational outcomes.
- Utilizes HR data and analytics to identify trends assess situations and recommend actionable solutions
- Foster an engaging and encouraging environment and work in collaboration across departments divisions and schools to provide consistency in HR practices policies and procedures
- Ability to function well in a fast-paced environment meet deadlines and simultaneously manage multiple projects and priorities
- Promotes accountability at all levels for cultivating a culture that encourages collaboration innovation and trust
- Fosters diversity equity inclusion cultural competency and a positive work and academic environment
- Collaborate with and serve on committees at the local and system-wide level
- Ensure compliance with University HR policies procedures and requirements and applicable legal regulations
- Maintain current knowledge of progressive federal and state employment laws regulations along with best practices and key trends
- Supervise students and/or HR support employees as needed
- Other duties as assigned
Qualification Guidelines
Any combination equivalent to but not limited to the following:
Experience/Training/Education:
Required
- Bachelors degree in human resources management organizational management public administration business administration or related fields is required
- Four plus years in progressive human resources experience with an emphasis in benefits administration with expertise in employee benefits wellbeing and leave management
- Advanced knowledge of employment law and HR policies and practices
- Advanced proficiency in MS Office products including Outlook Excel Word PowerPoint and SharePoint
- A valid California Class C CA drivers license with a good driving record is required. Note: Out-of-state licenses are valid until appointment. A valid California Class C drivers license must be obtained within ten (10) days of appointment (in accordance with CA Vehicle Code 12505c).
Preferred
- Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) Certified Professional (CP) Professional (PHR) or Senior Professional (SPHR) in Human Resources.
- Bilingual in Spanish oral and written.
- Human Resources experience in an educational setting is highly desirable.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Solid financial/business acumen with advanced knowledge of benefits wellbeing and leave administration and HR policies and practices
- Excellent communication skills and ability to interpret benefits plan options and policy features to a broad audience with variable familiarity of Benefits
- The ability to operationalize business strategies through effective management of people programs and activities
- The ability to build and cultivate relationships and work collaboratively in a multi discipline and multi stakeholder environment
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills with a focus on productive outcomes client service excellence in an inclusive environment
- In-depth abilities in collaboration facilitation and strategic thinking
- Excellent written and advanced verbal communication skills (including exceptional listening mentoring presentation and collaboration abilities)
- Possesses strong analytical skills to conduct analysis and develop recommendations demonstrating organization and problem-solving skills
- Demonstrates skill in prioritizing competing work assignments employing political acumen and integrating information to determine appropriate course of action and their implications
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to recognize sensitive information and handle the information with confidentiality and tact
- Demonstrated ability to handle very difficult or volatile situations/individuals effectively
- Aptitude to learn innovative technology methods and procedures
- Demonstrated ability to lead HR operational functions drive efficiency and implement process improvements
- Proficiency in analyzing HR data to identify trends and recommend improvements
- Shared commitment to creating and fostering an inclusive culture and community
- A collaborative nature and thrive on building relationships to accomplish goals and objectives
- Ability to recommend appropriate courses of action within established guidelines; evaluate and recommend changes to policies programs and practices
- Ability to foster strong positive relationships and align both internal and external resources to achieve university objectives
- Must be able to competently interact with a culturally and ethnically diverse population of students faculty and staff
Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:
Working Conditions:
Standard office and field setting. Duties performed are primarily in an office environment while sitting at a desk or computer workstation or in meetings. At least minimal environmental controls to assure health and comfort.
Physical Demands:
Incumbents regularly sit for long periods; walk short distances on a regular basis; travel to various locations to attend meetings and conduct work; use hands and fingers to operate an electronic keyboard or other office machines; reach with hands and arms; stoop or kneel or crouch to file; speak clearly and distinctly to answer telephones and to provide information; see to read fine print and operate computer; hear and understand voices over telephone and in person; and lift carry and/or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
TO APPLY: A resume/CV and cover letter are required. In compliance with The Americans with Disabilities Act if selected for the interview process and accommodations are needed please call . If you are unable to complete an application due to a disability contact us at to ask for accommodation or an alternative application process.
HIRING RANGE:Anticipated hiring range is near or at the minimum of the classification commensurate with candidates education experience skills and training. The University of Redlands is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range considers the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience skills knowledge abilities education licensure and certifications and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range for this position is defined as the Full Pay Range. The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is defined as theHiring Range. Placement within the Hiring Range is determined by internal equity and relevant qualifications.
BACKGROUND CHECK:Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. The University will make a conditional offer of employment which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current employee who was conditionally offered the position.
DRIVERS LICENSE CHECK:Possession of a valid Drivers License is required for certain positions. Employees in positions that require a valid Drivers License will be enrolled in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Government Employer Pull Notice Program which confirms possession of a valid drivers license and reflects driving record.
PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMS:For certain positions typically in Public Safety Facilities Athletics and Information Technology Services departments employment is contingent upon a candidate passing a pre-employment physical exam with the ability to lift in excess of 50 Safety Officers in addition to a pre-employment physical exam will also be required to pass a psychological evaluation.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT
SUBMISSION OF A RESUME OR APPLICATION INDICATES AGREEMENT THAT THE UNIVERSITY MAY VERIFY ANY AND ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED THEREIN.
MEMBERS OF UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Required Experience:
Director
Employment Type
Full-Time
