Manager, Human Resources Benefits

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If you are an experienced Human Resources professional with an appreciation for the arts and education, Academy of Art University encourages you to apply for our Human Resources Benefits Manager position. The Benefits Manager serves as the University subject matter expert for employee health and welfare benefits and 401(k) plans and programs; manage benefit plans for California and out-of-state employee populations. This role partners with the University’s benefits broker and manages the business relationships to support the University benefit plan goals and strategies. The desire to work in a fast paced environment as well as the ability to identify opportunities and align partnerships with the organization's goals are the skills the successful Human Resources Benefits Manager will possess. The Benefits Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operation, administration, and management of the Benefits functions and directs and oversees the benefits-related job duties of the human resources department staff.

This is a fully remote role, candidates must be able to work 8am to 5pm (pst).

Responsibilities:

• Serve as a subject matter expert for compliance with the Affordable Care Act and the San Francisco Healthcare Security Ordinance and University procedure
• Implement and maintain a benefit communications plan to support employees with the knowledge to access benefits that support them and their families; recommend, compose and maintain accurate and compliant communications
• Oversee and direct the efforts for submission of the benefit plan 5500 IRS reporting in partnership with the Finance Department and benefit broker
• Oversee and direct the efforts for annual 401(k) plan audits and non-discrimination testing in partnership with the Finance Department and third party 401(k) plan administrator
• Oversee all 401(k) plan enrollments, loans, and distributions in compliance with the plan and in partnership with the plan administrator
• Partner with the Payroll Department to ensure all benefit plan contributions, deductions, and repayments are setup accurately in the payroll system and administered in accordance with plan documents and University procedure
• Complete monthly benefit plan enrollment reconciliations to identify participant and/or plan discrepancies between University records and benefit providers; reconciliations will be conducted monthly for medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, voluntary life, basic life, and COBRA plans
• Review and approve benefit plan billing and ensure timely submission to Accounting for on-time payment
• Administer the monthly reporting and funding compliance for the San Francisco Health Care Security Ordinance
• Oversee tracking, maintenance, and implementation of all provisions of the Affordable Care Act; execute all required tasks to ensure the third-party ACA compliance website has accurate and timely employee benefit plan information, offers, and enrollments to support the University with the annual IRS ACA reporting
• Responsible for the planning, recommendation and implementation of annual benefit plan offerings for Open Enrollment; make recommendations for leadership approval that support the needs of the employee population and within the financial budget of the University
• Responsible for executing Workday system updates and changes required for Open Enrollment and other mid-year updates in partnership with the Human Resources HRIS team; this includes but is not limited to benefit plan system configuration, employee self-service enrollment instructions, benefit system reporting, and system integrations with external benefit vendors
• Maintain all benefit plan documents including evidence of coverage and summary plan descriptions; ensure these documents are provided and accessible to employees
• Responsible for executing all required benefit plan notices as directed by the benefit broker and 401(k) plan administrator
• Responsible for executing all governmental reporting for health and welfare plans, including but not limited to Medicare Part D and IRS ACA reporting
• Manage, train, and develop the human resources staff to enhance benefits customer service and oversee complex case management; track and analyze staff productivity, customer service, and compliance for management review
• Recommend and implement changes to improve service-delivery, efficiency of operations, and administrative controls
• Recommend and implement benefit strategies that continue to promote employee benefits self-service, employee benefit knowledge and overall support of the University mission and strategic plan
• Ensure regulatory compliance, deliver accurate reporting and plan administration and coordinate fiduciary oversight of the benefit plans
• Maintain familiarity and knowledge of applicable federal and state laws and regulations (e.g., HIPAA, COBRA, 401(k), ACA, Section 125)

Qualifications:

• Managed a benefits program including budget for a for-profit organization
• Strong computer skills including experience with HRIS (Workday strongly
  preferred) and advanced excel knowledge
• Proven ability to negotiate with third-party service providers for the purchase of group benefits products, administration services, and compliance support
• Excellent leadership, training and developmental skills as well as strong decision-making skills
• Strong attention to detail, with the proven ability to audit the accuracy and performance of the benefit functions
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate all levels in the organization
• Excellent team management and organizational skills
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously
• Strong analytical skills and a thorough knowledge of plan designs
• Knowledge of all relevant federal and state regulations as well as filing and compliance requirements affecting employee benefits programs
• Candidates must be passionate about customer service, people management, and acting as a thought partner building strong partnerships with management and executive teams  
• Solutions-oriented business approach, you are able to identify potential issues and implement solutions that benefit both short and long-term organizational objectives
• Ability to thrive in a remote work environment working independently on routine and adaptability to changing business requirements
• A Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or a related field is strongly preferred

Compensation: $75-95k depending on location and experience

Benefits:

Academy of Art University offers full-time employees health insurance, 401k options, paid vacation based on years of service (15 days' accrual at start), paid holidays, paid sick leave and a commuter benefit program.  The Academy also offers full-time employees an opportunity to take one undergraduate course tuition free each semester.  Full-time employees also have access to our multi-lane swimming pool, two fitness centers and our many recreational programs, including our NCAA Division II events.

Application Deadline: December 20, 2024

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Academy of Art University is an equal opportunity employer.  All applicants will be considered regardless of age, Aids or HIV positive status, marital status, domestic partnership, medical condition or genetic characteristics, race or national origin, pregnancy, religion, sex, gender identity, gender or sexual orientation, name change, citizenship, physical or mental disability, veteran status or other status protected by federal, state, local or other law. Academy of Art University will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. Equal access to the hiring process, services, and employment is available to all persons. Applicants requiring accommodations to the application and/or interview process should contact the Human Resources Department at HR@academyart.edu.