Benefits Administrator - Human Resources

University at Albany, SUNY; City of Albany (NY); On-site; USD 68,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

University at Albany, SUNY is seeking a Benefits and Leaves Administrator to lead administration of health insurance benefits, support leaves and retirement processes, and drive engagement initiatives for a diverse campus community. The role supervises a Benefits and Engagement Assistant and collaborates with SUNY System Central benefits staff.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree and 1–3 years of HR experience, with strong presentation skills and a commitment to inclusive service delivery

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 1–3 years of HR experience.
• Experience presenting to large groups.
• Experience delivering in-person and virtual customer service.

Responsibilities

• Administer the State's health insurance benefits programs including orientation, enrollment meetings, webinars, and record reconciliation.
• Provide expert guidance on benefits and retirement, ensuring compliance and service excellence.
• Develop and disseminate benefits information through HR channels and events.
• Deliver educational opportunities on available benefits and retirement preparation.
• Maintain benefits data in SUNY HR information system and related systems.
• Support planning and execution of engagement and wellness events.

Skills

Public speaking

Customer service

Attention to detail

Confidentiality

Diversity & inclusion

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SUNY HR information system

Job description

About University at Albany

About University at Albany: The University at Albany is a Carnegie-classified Research 1 institution driven by academic excellence, pioneering research and scientific discovery, and service to community. UAlbany's world-class faculty experts and approximately 17,500 students are creating new knowledge in fields such as artificial intelligence, semiconductor engineering, atmospheric and environmental sciences, cybersecurity, public health, public administration and social welfare while deepening our understanding of our world through scholarship and creative activity in the social sciences and humanities. As one of the most diverse public research institutions in the nation, the University is a national leader in public engagement, educational equity and social mobility. For over 180 years, UAlbany has molded bright, curious and engaged students and launched them toward success. Located in Albany, New York, New York State's capital, the University is convenient to Boston, New York City, and the Adirondacks.

Job Description

This full-time Management Confidential position serves as a key member of the Benefits and Engagement team which is integral to the employee experience by delivering service excellence supporting career and life events to a diverse, exceptional team of faculty, staff, and professionals. The Benefits and Leaves Administrator is primarily responsible for administering employee benefit and assists with administering leaves and retirement. Additionally, they assist and support engagement initiatives that enhance the employee experience and support retention by creating and maintaining a shared sense of belonging to the University at Albany. This position supervises the Benefits and Administrator Assistant.

Primary Responsibilities

• Administer the State's health insurance benefits programs which includes, conducting orientation programs, enrollment meetings and webinars, answering employee questions and concerns, processing enrollment changes and corrections, and reconciling records.
• Provides expert guidance to employees and campus partners on complex benefits and retirement matters, ensuring compliance while delivering exceptional customer service.
• Develop and/or disseminate benefits information to employees through various channels, such as the HR website, webinars, newsletters, flyers, and orientation sessions.
• Facilitates and/or deliver various educational opportunities to employees about their available benefits and encourages all employees to best prepare for their future in retirement.
• Responsible for maintaining accurate and up-to-date benefits records and data in the SUNY HR information system (SUNY HR) and related systems for benefits and retirement. This includes ensuring data integrity and security, updating employee records and statuses, generating reports and queries, troubleshooting system issues, testing system enhancements, and providing training and support to users.
• Supports the planning and execution of events and programs that support engagement and wellness such as orientation and onboarding, milestone celebrations, and wellness fairs.
• Lead and manage direct report providing guidance, support, and performance feedback to assure goals, programs, activities, and personnel practices are consistent with and contribute to the University's mission. Lead employees for maximum performance and dedication, fostering a positive and productive work environment. Complete performance management feedback and goals timely and per requirements, offering constructive feedback and developing improvement plans.
• Other reasonable duties as assigned.

Functional and Supervisory Relationships

• Reports to: Benefits and Engagement Manager
• Supervises the following positions: Benefits and Engagement Assistant
• Works closely with three other benefits and leaves staff
• Works closely with and collaborate with SUNY System Central benefits staff.
• Works collaboratively with all retirement vendor representatives.

Job Requirements

• Knowledge of and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Ability to work at a high level of attention to detail while maintaining accuracy.
• Excellent independent judgment, including sensitivity to personal information and ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Ability to develop collegial working relationships with individuals at all organizational levels and with varied backgrounds and experiences.
• Ability to deliver excellent customer service and present to large groups, in person and via remote technologies.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong research and analytical skills and problem-solving techniques.
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to develop inclusive and equitable relationships within our diverse campus community.
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to support diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging relative to their role.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from a college or University accredited by the US Department of Education or internationally recognized accrediting organization.
• Minimum of one (1) to three (3) years of human resources professional experience
• Demonstrated experience with presenting and/or speaking in front of large groups.
• Demonstrated experience in delivering in person and virtual customer experience
• Evidence of knowledge and experience applying benefits, leave, and retirement-related policies, procedures, or regulations in a professional setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience directly related to benefits or leaves administration.
• Experience in NYS public employment, including SUNY.
• HRCI, SHRM, or related certification.

Working Environment

• Typical office environment

Professional Rank and Salary Range

Personnel Associate, MP, $68,000-72,000.

Special Notes

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements. Additionally, please note that UAlbany is not an E-Verify employer.

Clery Act Disclosure

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, without exception, prepare, publish, and distribute an Annual Security Report. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University's crime statistics for the past three years; and disclosures regarding the University's current campus security policies. The University at Albany's Annual Security Report is available in portable document format [PDF] by clicking this link http://police.albany.edu/ASR.shtml.

Salary History Statement

Pursuant to New York Labor Law 194-a, the University will not seek, request, or rely upon an applicant's wage or salary history in determining whether to interview, hire, or establish compensation for an applicant. Applicants are not required to provide wage or salary history information as a condition of employment consideration. Salary history may only be verified in the limited circumstances permitted by law.

Equal Opportunity Statement

THE UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY IS AN EO/AA/IRCA/ADA EMPLOYER.