Position Vacancy Announcement

Position: The Chief Benefits Officer (CBO) oversees and directs the defined benefit and defined contribution benefit programs for the State Universities Retirement System and its 255000 members. This includes visioning providing strategic direction developing policies and programs leading continuous improvement activities and being responsible for the overall management of the SURS Claims Processing and Member Engagement divisions.

This role involves supporting the implementation of a new pension administration system (PAS) and acting as a policy advisor to executive leadership. The Chief Benefits Officer will set the strategic direction and policy development for the Claims Processing and Member Engagement divisions ensuring effective service delivery.

The Claims Processing and Member Engagement divisions are responsible for the processing of all defined benefit retirement survivor and disability claims providing all educational programs and customer service-related activities and overseeing operations of two defined contribution plans.

This position reports directly to the Executive Director and is a member of the SURS Executive Leadership Team. The CBO will directly oversee 3-4 director-level staff and indirectly oversee a staff of 100.

Position: Chief Benefits Officer

Position Type: Full-time Based in Champaign IL

Main Duties

• Plan coordinate and manage operations of the Claims Processing and Member Engagement divisions through effective management of direct reports and effective oversight of related programs and processes.
• Ensure accuracy integrity and timeliness of benefit payments communications education and all related activities.
• Act in a lead role overseeing operations of SURS two defined contribution plans working closely with the Manager of Defined Contribution investment staff and a third-party administrator.
• Assure staff compliance with applicable state and federal laws the Illinois Complied Statutes and the rules policies and procedures of the SURS Board of Trustees.
• Oversee and monitor division performance metrics and deadlines ensuring that performance standards are met reported on and are appropriate.
• Foster an environment of continuous improvement work to create processing efficiencies and reduce overall processing times by employing proven methodologies.
• Provide effective leadership coaching mentoring and direction to member services and outreach staff to organize motivate and support them to achieve organizational goals.
• Develop divisions budget as part of organization-wide budgeting process and maintain services within budgetary approval.
• Monitor and make recommendations regarding staff allocations to ensure divisions are staffed appropriately and the structure is best suited to meet organizational goals.
• Participate actively with the Executive Leadership Team in the business-planning process and development of short and long-term organizational strategy.
• Participate as part of SURS project steering committee; effectively navigate staff through large-scale change and major project implementations including the implementation of a new pension administration system.
• Serve as a resource to the board of trustees executive director administration managers and employees regarding benefits and education related strategy and processes.
• Occasional travel to SURS board meetings and for other related business purposes will be required.

Degree Requirements

Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in business administration public administration finance or a related field of study; masters degree is preferred.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of benefits-related work experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible management experience in a private or governmental organization.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

• Demonstrated ability to manage large program budgets and achieve strategic objectives.
• Experience with formal continuous improvement methodologies and performance monitoring.
• Success in identifying and implementing process improvements that result in reductions in processing times or other work efficiencies.
• Proven success in leading strategic initiatives and acting as a thought leader.
• Advanced knowledge of Illinois Pension Code or a demonstrated ability to quickly acquire this type of knowledge.
• Experience overseeing components of both defined benefit and defined contribution plans.
• Participation in a leadership role overseeing a pension system or related system replacement initiative.
• Experience implementing major technology initiatives with change management strategies.
• Advanced education or certifications related to job responsibilities.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and develop collaborative partnerships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to speak publicly.
• Understanding of current technologies as they relate to service functions of a public pension plan.
• Collaborative leader.
• Inclination towards continuous learning.
• Excellent organizational skills and business acumen.
• Knowledge of industry trends and change management.
• Keen sense of ethical responsibilities and accountability.

Position Information

This is a full-time position based in Champaign IL. During the initial training period fully in-office workdays may be successful completion of the initial training period this position may transition to a hybrid role. The starting salary range for this position is $171200 to $194750. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of this range; however compensation for highly qualified candidates may exceed this range. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience while also considering internal equity.

Benefits

• Insurance benefits including medical vision and dental
• Participation in SURS retirement plan
• Paid vacation sick leave and 10 paid holidays
• Two additional floating holidays after six months of employment
• Paid Parental Leave after six months of employment
• Casual/business casual attire (dependent on job duties)
• Flexible work environment
• Free parking
• 37.5-hour standard work week
• Find more details regarding the benefits SURS offers at: Process

  About SURS

  SURS is the administrator of a cost-sharing multiple-employer public employee retirement system that provides retirement survivor disability and death benefits to employees of Illinois state universities community colleges and certain other affiliated organizations and agencies. SURS was created in 1941 by an act of the Illinois General Assembly and is governed by the Illinois Pension Code (40 ILCS 5/15-101 et seq.). SURS provides benefit services to over 255000 members who work for 61 employers. SURS is responsible for investing assets in a diversified portfolio of U.S. and foreign stocks bonds real estate and alternative investments. SURS maintains a defined benefit plan which on June 30 2024 had assets valued at approximately $24.3 billion. SURS also administers two defined contribution plans the Retirement Savings Plan which on June 30 2024 had assets of approximately $4.3 billion and the SURS Deferred Compensation Plan which had assets of approximately $67.4 million. Northern Trust serves as SURS master trustee custodian.

  
  

  
  

  State Universities Retirement System is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and to providing reasonable accommodations on the basis of disability pregnancy childbirth or related conditions and religious beliefs practices or observances. Individuals requiring a reasonable accommodation to complete the application or interview process may submit a request by email at.