Manager Benefits

Summary

Plans, designs, evaluates and administers NYPA‘s employee benefit programs for active and retired employees. Programs include retirement, life and health insurance, leaves of absence, wellness and other health and welfare plans. Sets policy related to benefits, manages vendors and is responsible for HIPAA compliance. Manages a team of Benefits professionals. #LI-CJ1

Responsibilities

• Shape the future of benefits by aligning priorities with strategic objectives, drive innovation and change within the benefits practice to maximize positive benefits and wellness outcomes for employees while ensuring operational effectiveness, efficiency, and regulatory compliance
• Provide leadership, plan interpretation, and educational support to a team of benefit specialists and identify development opportunities within the team. Direct the team in evaluating and selecting vendors via RFP processes and manage on-going vendor relationships.
• Oversee plan management communication to keep employees and retirees engaged and informed about benefit plans, proposed changes, and total rewards value
• Identify trends and opportunities to modify and improve benefits programs, policies, streamline processes and ease administration efforts; keep leadership advised of potential issues and recommend/implement solutions
• Manage the implementation and execution of programs for active and retired employees including group health/medical/dental coverage, 401(k) and 457 retirement plans, disability, flexible spending, life insurance, vendor management, wellness and health education initiatives. Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to configure, test, and deploy benefit enrollment, reporting and integrations in the system of record.
• Apply best practices and stay current with evolving regulatory requirements to assure benefit plans are compliant with relevant DOL and IRS requirements and other applicable Federal and State regulations. Identify issues and execute solutions to minimize risk, partnering with internal and external counsel for drafting, guidance and accuracy.
• Collaborate closely with Insurance Risk, Finance, Legal, Communications, Payroll, Digital HR and IT on a wide range of initiatives
• Ensure NYPA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives are considered in the planning process and woven into benefit programs

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to manage, develop and motivate a team of Benefit professionals
• Possess a deep understanding of and proactive monitoring of company and vendor compliance with federal and state benefits and privacy laws (ERISA, COBRA, GINA, HIPAA, ACA, IRS, DOL etc.) 
• Advanced wide-ranging experience, using in-depth professional knowledge, acumen, concepts, and company objectives to develop programs and procedures and resolve complex issues
• Ability to exercise discretion and judgment when handling highly sensitive and confidential information
• Ability to develop policies, procedures, and practices that meet  both the business and the employee/retiree population needs and ensure they are executed fairly, consistently, and in line with NYPA’s DEI commitments
• Strong financial acumen and analytical skills to develop reports and cost analyses of current and proposed benefits plans using Excel and other analytical tools
• Proven experience in vendor management and RFP process management
• Strong understanding of the intersection of Benefits with other functions such as Digital HR, IT, Communications, Payroll Finance, Risk, Legal, etc.

Education, Experience and Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree required. Human Resource Management or a related discipline preferred
• Minimum of 5 years of experience with benefit plan design and administration
• Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) certificate preferred
• Experience with benefit management for a large retiree population
• Union environment experience preferred
• Minimum 2 years management experience preferred

Physical Requirements

Approximately 10% travel primarily within NY State