Benefits & Leave Administrator

Southern Arkansas University; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 64,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Paid vacation and sick time

Tuition benefits for employee and elig

Job summary

Colorado College is seeking a Benefits & Leave Administrator to implement, administer, and communicate employee benefit plans for active employees and retirees. You will liaise with vendors, manage COBRA and retiree benefits, and support safety, wellness, workers' comp, FMLA, and tuition reimbursement programs.

The role handles monthly billing, payroll deductions, and collaboration with Payroll. It requires a Bachelor's degree and 5 years' related experience; PHR/SPHR or CBP preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• 5 years of experience in a related field.
• One year of relevant work experience may be substituted for one year of required education.
• PHR/SPHR or CBP designation or progress towards certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily administration of health, wellness, retirement, and leave programs; act as primary contact for inquiries and vendor liaison.
• Conduct new employee benefit orientation and oversee COBRA and retiree benefit operations.
• Manage leave requests, workers' compensation, and return-to-work processes with vendors, employees, and supervisors.
• Administer tuition reimbursement and educational assistance programs; determine eligibility and coordinate with ACM and Finance.
• Process monthly insurance billings and reconcile discrepancies to ensure timely payments.
• Collaborate with Payroll to maintain accuracy in deductions and adjustments for hires and retirees.
• Coordinate wellness programs and promote workplace safety; support sustainable benefit practices.

Skills

Communication skills

Vendor liaison

Policy interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree

5 years related experience

Tools

Ellucian Banner

HRIS systems

Job description

Job Title: Benefits & Leave Administrator

Department: Human Resources

Campus Location: Main Campus

Position Type/ Work Schedule

• 2080 Hours per year
• 12 Months per year
• 40 Hours per week (Estimated)

About Us

Colorado College is a nationally recognized, residential liberal arts college with 2,100 students from around the world. Employees set the stage for student success by bringing their diverse experience and knowledge to the table. The college actively promotes a dynamic and inclusive environment in which students and employees of diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives can learn and work.

Job Summary

The purpose of this role is to assist in the implementation, administration, and communication of employee benefit plans and programs. Provide day-to-day benefit services to all active employee groups and retirees and confer with all insurance/benefit vendors about plans and services. Support the Colleges' safety and wellness initiatives, assist in administering the workers' compensation and return to work program, FMLA and other leave programs, and manage the Tuition Reimbursement Program. Maintain monthly benefits plan funding, billing, accounting and reconciliation.

Responsibilities

• Manage the daily administration of health, wellness, retirement, and leave programs and act as the primary point of contact for employee benefit inquiries, troubleshooting issues, and liaising with vendors.
• Conduct new employee benefit orientation, exit interviews for employees and retirees, and oversee COBRA and retiree benefit operations, ensuring accurate notifications, coverage, and payments.
• Manage employee leave requests, workers' compensation claims, and return-to-work processes to include collaborations with vendors, employees, and supervisors to ensure smooth processing.
• Administer the College's tuition reimbursement and educational assistance programs, including eligibility determination and coordination with the ACM and Finance.
• Process monthly insurance billings, reconcile discrepancies, and ensure timely payments of invoices.
• Partner with the Payroll team to maintain accuracy in deductions and adjustments for hires, terms, and retirees.
• Coordinate wellness programs and events, promote workplace safety, and foster sustainable and thriving employee benefit practices within the College community.

Collaboration Skills

Communication regarding interpretation of policies may be made after discussion of different points of view. Work may require providing advice to others outside direct reporting relationships on specific problems or general policies.

Technical Knowledge

Work requires intermediate skills and knowledge in approaches and systems, which support the design and implementation of major programs and/or processes.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field
• 5 years of experience in a related field

One year of relevant work experience may be substituted for one year of required education (OR) one year of relevant academic coursework beyond the minimum requirement may be substituted for one year of required professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting employee benefit programs in a higher education environment.
• Experience administering benefits within an organization with self-funded health plans.
• Experience using Ellucian Banner and benefit-related HRIS systems.
• Experience working directly with faculty, staff, retirees, and leave populations.
• PHR/SPHR or Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) designation or progress towards PHR/SPHR/CBP certification.

Applicants are welcome to apply even if you do not meet the preferred qualifications. We value diverse perspectives and encourage individuals with a genuine interest in the role to submit their applications.

Other Position Details

• Does not supervise others
• Position will not drive CC vehicles

Application Instructions

• Application Deadline - last day to submit an application: 10/26/2026
• This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
• Applicants are required to submit a resume and cover letter.

To help us stay connected with you throughout the hiring process, we encourage you to apply using a personal email address instead of a Colorado College email address.

In alignment with our commitment to reduce potential bias in hiring, applicants may redact any information that discloses their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance/graduation from educational institutions on resumes, certifications, transcripts, or other application materials. There will be no penalties for the omission of such information.

Anticipated Hiring Salary Range

$63,906 to $76,687 per year

What We Offer

As part of the total compensation for Staff and Faculty roles, we offer a competitive benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Paid vacation and sick time - accrual of 7.34 hours of vacation per pay period (176 hours, 22 days per year) and 4 hours of sick time per pay period (96 hours, 12 days per year)
• Paid seasonal breaks and holidays (20 days per year)
• 403(b) retirement plans where employees contribute 5% of pay and CC contributes 10%
• Tuition benefits for employee and eligible dependents
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Assistance Program
• Wellness benefits include free access to the sports center, swimming pool, arts and crafts, outdoor programs, and financial consultants

Please refer to our https://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/humanresources/benefits/index.html

Accommodation Statement

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Colorado College's policies, if you have a disability and would like to request accommodations to support your application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at mailto:[e-mail] as early as possible. Positions may close on the listed deadline or, if posted as continuous, may close without prior notice.

E-Verify Information

This organization participates in E-Verify. For more information, visit http://www.e-verify.gov

Leave Information

Please refer to https://www.coloradocollege.edu/basics/welcome/leadership/policies/vacation-leave-and-accrual.html