Manager, Employee Benefits

HealthPartners is currently hiring for a Manager, Employee Benefits. This position is responsible for the design, negotiation, implementation, and management of employee benefits programs. The role ensures that these programs are externally competitive, internally equitable, and compliant with all government regulations. In addition to overseeing the daily activities of the benefits department, this position also focuses on developing and implementing strategic benefit solutions to meet the current and future workforce goals of HealthPartners.

The manager will oversee twelve (12) direct reports, supporting the HealthPartners enterprise. In this role, the manager and their team support non-contract, contract, and physician employee populations, totaling 30,000 employees.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration or another related field
• Minimum of ten (10) years' experience in health, well-being, and welfare benefits, as well as non-traditional benefits such as employee discount programs, etc. This includes prior experience with retirement plans (pensions, 457, 401K, 403b, etc.).
• Minimum of three (3) years of staff management experience. Excellent leadership, conflict resolution and team-building skills
• Minimum of three (3) years' experience in a unionized environment.
• In depth knowledge of Federal and State statutes, rules and regulations that govern employee benefits in welfare and pension programs including demonstrated understanding of how health care reform will affect employer-provided health benefits.
• Previous experience in establishing and administering benefit procedures and administrative systems.
• Demonstrated experience/ability to build effective relationships with all levels of the organization.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Ability to appropriately manage difficult, sensitive, and ambiguous situations while maintaining confidentiality.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office software applications
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to plan, delegate, establish priorities, manage multiple projects, and meet time critical deadlines.
• Advanced analytical and critical thinking skills including the ability to effectively summarize and present information.
• Successful experience managing, training, and developing staff.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience working in a health care organization.
• Master's degree in human resources
• CEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist) Certification
• Experience managing through change and the utilization/application of process improvement principles.

Hours/Location:

• M-F; Days
• May work in a hybrid capacity with a need to be onsite for meetings and workgroup sessions.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the supervision of staff, including having the authority to hire, transfer, lay off, promote, discipline and discharge, train, reward, and review performance of employees. Ensures compliance to organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
• Designs and manage competitive, cost-effective benefits programs that support the corporate philosophies, policies, and directives for all employees.
• Collaborates with others - including experts from other parts of HealthPartners - to design and implement employee programs targeted at improving employee health and well-being and reducing or keeping steady benefit costs.
• Provides expert advice to all levels of management in the development, interpretation, and administration of the benefits programs. Interprets and explains Federal regulations and explains how these regulations will affect the employee benefits programs. Recommends plan design modifications consistent with company philosophy and federal and state regulations.
• Monitors compliance with Federal and State regulatory requirements.
• Analyzes, negotiates and awards contracts and outside administrative and trustee contracts to effectively deliver quality benefits programs.
• Develops and manages record keeping systems, benefits policies and procedures that support the benefits programs.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with outside consultants, investment managers, trustees, external auditors, and Federal compliance agents to identify opportunities for improvement and negotiate new programs.
• Partners with Communications in developing and implementing communication strategies for all benefits programs, focusing on enriching education of colleagues.
• Partners with HR Technology to enrich the user experience utilizing the ERP system as it relates to benefits enrollment and experience.
• Exploration of Total Compensation Statements and capabilities within the ERP system.
• Advises HealthPartners management labor negotiator on benefits related contract negotiation and contract administration issues.
• Responsible for updating, reviewing, and maintaining all assigned policies. Policies should be updated as necessary but reviewed at least bi-annually.