Benefits Advisor

University of North Texas System; Denton (TX); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of North Texas System is seeking a Benefits Advisor to join the Human Resources team in Denton. This professional administrative role supports retirement, insurance and leave programs while delivering customer-focused service.

Reporting to the Benefits Manager, you will administer plans, respond to inquiries, ensure compliance and help employees navigate benefits and related processes. The position is full-time, 8:00 a.m.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of employee benefit, retirement and leave program administration.
• Ability to explain policies and maintain confidentiality.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Serves as primary liaison for institutional insurance programs and reviews plan documentation for compliance.
• Administers employee leave programs and coordinates with stakeholders.
• Provides coordination for retirement, savings plans, insurance, wellness and leave programs.
• Monitors benefit and leave program compliance and conducts audits.
• Analyzes data to identify trends and distributes end-user reports.
• Acts as contact with external vendors for benefit compliance services.
• Develops and delivers training on benefit and leave programs.
• Supports HR initiatives and university policy development and communication.
• Keeps abreast of benefit trends and legal updates with recommendations for improvements.

Skills

Benefit administration

Confidential data handling

Data analysis

Effective communication

Critical thinking

Multitasking

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/OD/Business

Tools

Office software

Job description

Title: Benefits Advisor

Employee Classification: Benefits Advisor

Campus: University of North Texas - System Administration

Division: SYS-Human Resources

SubDivision-Department: SYS-Human Resources

Department: SYS-Human Resources-910600

Job Location: Denton

Salary: Commensurate with experience

FTE: 1.000000

Retirement Eligibility: TRS Eligible

About Us - Values Overview

Welcome to the University of North Texas System. The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and University of North Texas Health Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the robust Dallas-Fort Worth region. We are growing with the North Texas region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating a record 49,000+ students across our system, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year.

We are one team comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence, curiosity and innovation. We are transforming lives and creating economic opportunity through education. We champion a people-first values-based culture where We Care about each other and those we serve. We believe that we are Better Together because we foster an environment of respect, belonging, and access for all. We demonstrate Courageous Integrity through setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities. We are encouraged to Be Curious about opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating, and are encouraged to learn from failure. Show Your Fire by joining our team and exhibiting your passion and pride in your work as part of our UNT System team.

Learn more about the UNT System and how we live our values at www.UNTSystem.edu.

Department Summary

The UNT System Human Resources Department is one department made of a team of teams that supports various constituencies and component institutions within our UNT System Enterprise while working together to achieve the vision of becoming an enterprise that is values-driven and customer-focused with an emphasis on excellence, curiosity, and innovation. There are exciting things on the horizon, and we are looking for experienced and innovative HR professionals to join our journey.

Position Overview

This position is a professional administrative position responsible for performing tasks as needed for the effective administration of Human Resource services and programs in the area of benefits to include retirement, insurance and leave administration. This position reports to the Benefits Manager, Benefits and serves as a customer service focused and engaged member of the Benefits Team.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration or related field and two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in HR or related field; or any equivalent combination of education, experience and training.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of the principles and practices of employee benefit, retirement, and leave program administration, and of federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing employee benefits and leave.
Ability to explain policies and procedures to staff and the public; to maintain confidential and sensitive information; to develop and analyze human resource processes; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with applicants, employees, and the general public.
Skill in using office computer information systems to organize, store, manipulate and retrieve data.
Effective communication skills both orally and in writing.
Critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Ability to plan, organize and effectively manage multiple assignments and priorities.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships at all levels within the organization.
Ability to work in a fast paced environment, with frequently changing priorities.
Focused on providing a high level of customer service and follow through.

Preferred Qualifications

Prior experience working in benefits or leave administration

Job Duties

• Serves as primary liaison to assist employees with institutional insurance programs including health, dental, disability, life, long term care, and flexible spending programs, and resolving complex issues with a focus on delivering a positive customer experience. Reviews all plan documentation including original and amended texts, agreements, and policies to ensure compliance with provisions of the plans.
• Administers employee leave programs, including but not limited to, Family and Medical Leave, sick leave pool, sick leave donation, family leave pool, and other leave programs, coordinating with business unit stakeholders and HR team members as appropriate.
• Provides coordination and oversight for employee retirement and savings plans, insurance, wellness, and leave programs and services. Collaborates with assigned business units, campus stakeholders, and HR colleagues to understand business needs and provide guidance on issues related to leave, retirement, and insurance, as well as identifying and recommending enhanced service delivery and process improvements.
• Monitors benefit and leave program compliance including conducting audits to ensure full entitlement, review of cross file audits, completing corrections, and ensuring accuracy of benefit information retained within the payroll system.
• Analyzes and compiles data to identify trends, create and distribute end user reports regarding leave and benefit program utilization in various frequencies/formats, and assists internal and external customers in understanding resulting data.
• Serves as a contact with external vendors engaged in providing compliance related services for tracking benefit eligibility, and record keeping and resolving discrepancies.
• Develops and facilitates training and assistance to employees, supervisors, and HR team members regarding benefit and leave programs and services, and related policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Participates in broader HR initiatives and projects, and supporting the HR department in the design, delivery, and implementation of customer facing business and people solutions, including consulting and assistance with development and maintenance of university policies and procedures, benefit and leave plan marketing and communication plans.
• Stays abreast of current internal and external employee benefit trends, legal updates and requirements relating to assigned programs and services, and makes recommendations accordingly. Conducts research and develops reports and strategies for implementation of process improvement initiatives relating to programs and services.

Physical Requirements

• Communicating with others to exchange information.

Environmental Hazards

• No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Work Schedule

Generally Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Driving University Vehicle

No

Security Sensitive

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

EEO Statement

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit –and takes actions to prevent – discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.