STATEWIDE CHIEF BENEFITS OFFICER(SPSA, Opt. 1)

The State of Illinois is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to serve as its Statewide Chief Benefits Officer overseeing one of the largest and most complex public-sector benefits programs in the country. This role is responsible for guiding the benefits strategy and operations that serve more than 400000 members including state employees retirees dependents local government participants and educators.

The Chief Benefits Officer leads the Bureau of Benefits within the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) and serves as the states primary executive responsible for group insurance deferred compensation health plan fiscal operations risk management and associated statewide benefit programs.

This is a missioncritical position for a leader who thrives in large complex organizations and has deep experience in health benefits strategy government or largeemployer plan operations vendor/contract management and executive-level stakeholder engagement.

• Subject to management approval serves as Statewide Chief Benefits Officer overseeing the Bureau of Benefits.
• Serves as the Directors advisor on strategic operational legislative and problem resolution issues.
• Meets with Agency officials legislators vendors and representatives of employee groups to discuss and evaluate insurance problems or describe and interpret methods of operation.
• Serves as a full line supervisor.
• Prepares and submits reports to the Director on insurance trends and practices and program goals and accomplishments.
• Reviews administrative rules and related laws for programs within the Bureau in cooperation with Benefits legal counsel.
• Responsible for risk management that directly impacts the strategic direction of Benefits statewide plan.
• Administers first and third-party workers compensation claims.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

• Requires knowledge skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college preferably with courses in business public administration finance insurance healthcare administration or a related field.
• Requires prior experience equivalent to four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.

• Prefers seven (7) years of professional leadership experience directing large multidisciplinary benefits insurance or riskmanagement operations including strategic planning program evaluation and statewide or enterpriselevel administration.
• Prefers seven (7) years of professional experience in large employee group insurance programs or similarly complex publicsector benefit structures including vendor management contract oversight procurement processes budget management and administration of statutory advisory boards.
• Prefers seven (7) years of strong legislative and regulatory knowledge including Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) (where applicable) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicare coordination and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) benefit regulations and policy development experience including interpreting statutes and administrative rules drafting policy or rule changes and collaborating with legal counsel on compliance matters.
• Prefers seven (7) years of professional experience serving as a senior advisor to executive leadership representing the employer in highlevel meetings with government officials unions vendors or internal stakeholders with authority to recommend or commit to courses of action.
• Prefers seven (7) years of professional experience overseeing enterprise-wide riskmanagement functions including workers compensation claims administration litigation management and development of riskmitigation strategies to support organizational objectives.
• Prefers seven (7) years of professional supervisory and staffdevelopment experience including setting goals and priorities evaluating performance directing workload resolving grievances and recommending or imposing discipline.

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Overtime is a condition of employment and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled unscheduled or last-minute overtime. This may require the ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires a valid drivers license.
• Requires the ability to use agency technology/equipment (i.e. mobile phone laptop etc.) properly in accordance with information security awareness policies and confidentiality guidelines.
• Requires ability to attend seminars conferences and trainings to stay current on methods tools ideologies or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties.
• Per Executive Order 2018-07 requires engagement with Business Enterprise (BEP) contractors and subcontractors and support for the goals of the BEP program and the Fair Contracting Task Force when applicable.
• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment the employee shall prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

Central Management Services (CMS) is the State of Illinois central operational support agency the team that keeps government running smoothly behind the scenes. We provide the essential services that enable more than 80 agencies boards and commissions to serve the people of Illinois effectively. As the backbone of state operations CMS delivers highquality reliable and forwardthinking services that help government programs work efficiently and meet the needs of residents statewide.

Our vision is to be the trusted partner dedicated to the success of the State of Illinois through service optimization and inclusion. Our mission is to be the accessible agency that delivers essential effective and efficient services to State agencies and the people of Illinois. Our core values are: Trusted Strategic Effective Innovative Responsive and Inclusive. Through strategic leadership CMS plays a vital role in strengthening the effectiveness of Illinois State government.

CMS provides a broad portfolio of statewide services through specialized bureaus such as: Administrative Hearings African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission Statewide Benefits Communication and Information Diversity and Inclusion Fleet Administration Labor Relations Operational Excellence Statewide Personnel Property Management Strategic Sourcing Surplus Equipment Control.

CMS also operates internal service bureaus that support our agencys own effectiveness and efficiency including: Internal Audit Finance and Management Government Affairs Human Resources Legal Services Strategic Transformation.

Professionals who join CMS become part of a missiondriven organization committed to continuous improvement and public service excellence. CMS offers the opportunity to contribute to impactful statewide initiatives collaborate with skilled and talented colleagues shape strategic improvements across Illinois government and support the operational foundation that allows state agencies to better serve the residents of Illinois. CMS is a place for people who want their work to matter; where innovation service and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do.

As a State of Illinois employee you receive a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health life dental and vision plans.
• Flexible work schedules (when available and dependent upon position).
• 10 -25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment).
• 12 days of paid sick time annually which carryover year to year.
• 3 paid personal business days per year.
• 13-14 paid holidays per year dependent on election years.
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System.
• Deferred Compensation Program voluntary supplemental retirement plan.
• Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP).
• Tuition Reimbursement Program and Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility.

For more information regarding State of Illinois Benefits follow this link: Hours: 8:30am-5:00pm Monday-Friday
Headquarter Location: 4800 W. Wabash Ave. Springfield Illinois 62711
Work County: Sangamon
Agency Contact: Cara Reiser
Email:
Phone #:
Posting Group: Leadership & Management; Employee Services

Revolving Door:
Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during State employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment the employee shall prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your junk mail spam or other folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses: