Assistant Director, Benefits Administration Human Resources

This position is responsible for managing the day-to-day administration of benefits and leave programs, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and policies, and partnering with HR, payroll, and finance to deliver accurate, responsive, and high-quality service to the campus community.

This position serves as a trusted resource for employees, helping them understand and make the most of their benefits, retirement (RSA/TRS), and leave options.

This role provides personalized guidance, resolves complex issues, and supports employees at every stage of their career by ensuring they feel informed and confident in their decisions.

Sponsorship is not available for this position.Benefits Administration * Administer all employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, leave programs, and retirement plans; * Manage open enrollment processes, life event changes, and benefits eligibility determinations; * Ensure accurate processing of benefits transactions and coordination with payroll and HRIS systems; * Maintain benefits records, reporting, and compliance documentation; * Respond to employee inquiries and provide guidance on benefits options and coverage; * Resolve complex or sensitive issues, including claims escalation, carrier coordination, and prescription-related concerns; * Serve as liaison with benefits providers, brokers, and third-party administrators; * Monitor vendor performance, billing accuracy, and service delivery; * Design, evaluate, and recommend benefit plan enhancements or innovative programs, including analysis of plan design options, cost impacts, and employee needs; * Identify opportunities to improve benefits administration processes, leveraging technology to enhance efficiency and service delivery; * Develop, maintain, and regularly update the HR website benefits content to ensure accurate and accessible information; * Assist in benchmarking benefits programs against peer public institutions; Onboarding, Orientation, and Employee Education * Lead benefits orientation for new employees, including retirement system enrollment and benefit elections; * Develop and deliver educational materials, workshops, and communication campaigns via various outlets; * Partner with HR colleagues to ensure seamless onboarding experiences; * Promote employee understanding of total rewards offerings; Retirement Counseling & RSA/TRS Administration * Serve as the institution's primary resource for RSA/TRS retirement programs, including eligibility, vesting, service credit, and retirement options; * Provide individualized retirement counseling sessions and facilitate group presentations for employees at all career stages; * Coordinate retirement processing, including application timelines, documentation, and communication with RSA/TRS representatives; * Educate employees on supplemental retirement options (e.g., 403(b), 457(b)) and coordinate with approved vendors; * Maintain current knowledge of RSA/TRS regulations and statutory requirements governing public higher education employees; Leave Management (FMLA and Paid Leave Programs) * Administer leave of absence programs, including family and medical leave, parental leave, and birth recovery leave, ensuring compliance with federal and institutional policies; * Oversee the designation, tracking, and documentation of leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), including required notices and timelines; * Provide consultation to employees and supervisors regarding leave eligibility, rights, and responsibilities; * Coordinate leave with short-term disability, parental leave programs, and other applicable benefits to ensure proper integration and compliance; * Maintain accurate leave records and ensure effective communication with payroll and HRIS for leave-related transactions; * Manage and maintain leave accrual processes within the HRIS, including configuration, tracking, reporting, and interpretation of accrual data; * Serve as a resource for complex or sensitive leave situations, providing guidance consistent with policy and regulatory requirements; * Monitor leave usage trends and recommend process or policy improvements to enhance compliance and employee experience; Compliance and Reporting * Ensure compliance with applicable federal and state laws (e.g., ACA, FMLA, COBRA, HIPAA, IRS regulations, and Alabama-specific retirement statutes); * Prepare required reports, audits, and filings related to benefits programs; * Maintain internal controls and documentation standards; * Coordinate institutional compliance and reporting requirements related to employee benefits, including annual Total Compensation Statements in accordance with Alabama House Bill 39 and Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting (Forms 1094-C and 1095-C); Additional Duties and Responsibilities (Compliance, Reporting, and Analytics) * Compile, validate, and reconcile data across HR, payroll, and finance systems to ensure accuracy of compensation, benefits, and eligibility information; * Oversee preparation and coordination of monthly insurance invoices with payroll deductions and employer contributions, ensuring accuracy and timely processing; * Promote data integrity through regular audits, vendor billing reviews, and continuous process improvement initiatives; * Analyze data to identify trends and provide actionable recommendations related to benefits design, cost management, and employee engagement; * Support internal and external reporting requirements, audits, and benchmarking efforts with peer public institutions; * Collaborate with campus wellness leadership to align benefits programs with employee wellness initiatives and promote engagement in health and wellness offerings; * Serve as backup support for payroll operations, as needed, to ensure continuity of critical processes; * Perform all other duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES: To be determined.

* A bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field, is required; * Ten (10) or more years of progressively responsible HR experience is required; * Applicants with the required experience in HR with an emphasis on payroll and benefits administration will be given preference; * Three (3) or more years of experience in benefits administration including retirement plans is required; * Applicants with experience in benefits administration for an RSA-participating employer will be given preference; * Direct experience with RSA/TRS or other public defined benefit retirement systems is preferred; * Experience in higher education or public sector HR is preferred; * Payroll experience, preferred; * Experience with HRIS systems (e.g., Banner) is preferred.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS: Professional certifications (e.g., SHRM-CP/SCP, CEBS, or related certification is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: * Strong working knowledge of employee benefits programs and retirement systems; * Ability to interpret and communicate complex retirement and benefits information clearly; * High level of discretion and confidentiality; * Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and customer service skills; * Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment; * Ability to communicate effectively with a varied array of students, faculty, staff, and the general public; * Ability to work with minimum supervision; * Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; * Knowledge of PC operations and spreadsheet programs (Excel and/or Google Sheets); * Ability to maintain accurate filing systems; * Ability to make decisions in accordance with university and office procedures and processes; * Ability to meet deadlines; * Knowledge of HR-related laws affecting benefits administration; * Knowledge of payroll and benefit policies and procedures and accounting and budgeting principles; * Ability to operate currently utilized software solutions and learn new solutions as implemented.

Applicants must upload a cover letter and resume at the time of application as well as provide contact information for at least three professional references.

For questions, please email or call and select option #2.

Selecting an option other than #2 will result in a delayed response.