Employee Benefits Manager

Association of Washington Cities (AWC) is recruiting a full-time Employee Benefits Manager to join our dynamic and customer orientated team.

Founded in 1933 AWC is a private nonprofit nonpartisan organization which provides a wide array of services to all 281 cities and towns in the State of Washington. AWC builds connections between our states diverse cities and towns while providing our members with the support needed to thrive through delivery of data-driven education nationally recognized pooling programs and nonpartisan advocacy. Membership is voluntary and we are proud that AWC maintains 100% participation. AWC is a vibrant fast-paced organization supported by 70 employees who are passionate about serving our members. We have a diverse team with subject matter expertise in various areas.

The AWC Employee Benefit Trust (AWC Trust) is a member service of the Association of Washington Cities and is Washingtons premier local government benefit pool for cities towns and other local governments. The AWC Trust provides a broad selection of benefit insurance options and health management programs for members.

Summary:

This position manages the daily operations of the contracted AWC Employee Benefit Trust (Trust) providing leadership of the health benefit operations staff member advocacy and management of the administrative vendor. Key duties include working closely with assigned staff in providing excellent customer service monitoring member inquiries and supplying ongoing training and development of staff that are providing technical assistance to member employers their employees COBRA participants retirees and service providers.

AWC welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. We value the unique views backgrounds experiences expertise and potential of all our employees. We are committed to following our core values of collaboration equity innovation integrity and respect.

Compensation and benefits:

Salary

The full salary range for this position is $94108 to $141163 annually. The top candidates placement within the range will typically fall between the minimum and 25th percentile of the range depending on education training experience and other conditions consistent with AWC policy. A compensation market analysis is completed every other year. As outlined in policy AWC employees generally receive an annual adjustment based on market and economic changes and an increase based on meeting full performance expectations.

Health insurance

AWC pays 100% of the medical premium for employees and 90% of the medical premium for spouse/domestic partner and child(ren) up to age 26. Dental and vision insurance are 100% employer-paid for employees and eligible dependents.

Retirement benefits

For every $1 an employee contributes toward their 401(k) AWC matches the contribution with $1.20 up to 10% of the employees base salary subject to IRS thresholds. Employer match can also be applied towards eligible student loan payments.

Paid leave

Four hours of paid vacation leave in the first year of employment for every semi-monthly pay period with vacation accrual increasing over time; four hours of paid sick leave for every semi-monthly pay period; 11 paid holidays and two floating holidays each year.

Additional benefits

Basic life insurance and disability insurance; employer-funded Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) ranging from $770 to $1980 based upon enrollment in the medical insurance plans; access to outstanding performance awards and tuition assistance; and staff appreciation events.

This position is eligible to telework on certain days of the week subject to approval and as determined by AWC.

Recruitment closes on November 10 2025 at 5:00 pm.

What youll be doing:

• Manage the overall direction and strategic plan implementation for the Trusts operations and recommend program changes to the Program Director for consideration by the Board of Trustees.
• Supervise and lead a team of four to coordinate delegate and assign duties to achieve goals stated in annual work plan; monitor responsiveness and work quality and address performance and process concerns as needed.
• Demonstrate thorough understanding of benefit programs; advise and oversee team in providing response to inquiries from routine to complex benefit eligibility issues as well as technical assistance and resolution.
• Assist in the administration of all benefit programs including medical dental vision life long term disability employee assistance program and long-term care; lead the administration of tax-favored accounts.
• Lead regular vendor meetings with the Trusts billing-enrollment-eligibility and tax-favored account vendors; monitor follow-through on tasks track items requiring resolution manage projects through completion.
• Follow HIPAA and security policies to handle protect and store sensitive data reporting any security issues immediately; ensure employee benefits team complies with HIPAA.
• Identify issues to be presented to governance and advisory groups for decisions of program offerings and other subjects of concern; prepare required materials for discussion and present information as requested at the appropriate meetings
• Manage all aspects of the annual EBAC and Board election process and deliver orientation for newly elected members.
• Write advise and proofread the content for all Trusts operations and program-related communications.
• Provide staffing for various events of the organization as directed.
• Collaborate with the Deputy Director to maintain continuity of operations and decision-making in the Program Directors absence.
• Incumbent will travel to trainings and events; overnight stays are expected to exceed 30 nights per a year.

Requirements:

• 5 years experience in benefits administration or work with a multi-employer association or non-profit organization.
• 2 years experience in a supervisory position or demonstrated ability.
• Bachelors degree in a related field; experience may be substituted year-for-year for academic achievement.
• HIPAA privacy training.
• Must maintain a Washington State drivers license in good standing.

What you bring to the team:

• Comprehensive knowledge of benefitsincluding deductibles co-insurance co-pays prescription formularies as well as federal and state healthcare laws and regulations HIPAA privacy and security requirements and principles of human resources and labor relations.
• Ability to establish creditability and manage confidential and time sensitive material.
• Experienced in leading teams offering clear vision and direction and motivating members to find creative ways to enhance tasks and results.
• Demonstrated ability to plan organize and prioritize multiple diverse work tasks for self and others and to make effective decisions and act independently when managing and coordinating assigned duties.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 office products and have the ability to learn and use a wide variety of proprietary software.
• Skilled in delivering presentations to a variety of large and small groups.
• Knowledge of basic math accounting and finance practices.
• Possess strong communication skills articulates clearly both with the written and spoken word.
• Skilled at leading and managing projects.
• Ability to work cooperatively with staff members and other groups and individuals.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity equity inclusion and belonging through continuous development modeling inclusive behaviors and proactive management of personal bias.

Working conditions:

The incumbent may work irregular hours and may begin and end work beyond the normal workday when necessary. Position requires teamwork and relationship building with staff in other departments which includes a substantial number of in-person meetings. Employees are expected to be present in the office on a regular basis as needed for fostering leadership maintaining strong team connections and supporting effective collaboration and decision-making.

Work is performed primarily in an office setting and is sedentary in nature with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Incumbent must be able to lift and carry objects up to 30 pounds at times. Work may involve standing for long periods stooping repetitive motions with hand wrist and fingers. Driving an automobile is necessary incumbent may spend prolonged periods in a vehicle.

To request reasonable accommodations in the application process please email

AWC is looking for people who can help us achieve our mission and vision not just check the boxes. If youre excited about this role and interested in supporting local government we encourage you to apply. You might just be the right candidate for this role or other roles at AWC!

All offers of employment are contingent to authorization for employment in the United States criminal background check reference checks and required education/credential verification. Information obtained from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but may be considered.

All AWC employees must work in Washington state unless explicitly preapproved by the CEO to work in Oregon or Idaho.

AWC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity on our team. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race color religion creed sex sexual orientation national origin ancestry age perceived or actual physical or mental disability genetic information marital status veteran status gender identity or expression as required by federal state and local laws.