Benefits Supervisor

Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois; Springfield (IL); On-site; USD 83,000 - 129,000; Full time

Job summary

Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois is seeking a Benefits Supervisor to lead the Survivor and Disability team and coordinate daily workflow within the Benefits function. The role supports policy implementation, staff coaching, and ensuring accurate, timely pension processing for Illinois educators.

You will work under the Benefits Manager, cross-train in Retirements and Member Accounts, and participate in projects to improve processes and controls within the department.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree or equivalent experience required.
• Five (5) + years of experience in public pension fund member services or pension administration management.
• One (1) + year in a supervisory or team lead/senior role.
• Experience in a public pension plan preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, develop, coach, train, and evaluate assigned Benefits staff; provide ongoing feedback and guidance regarding performance, productivity, and work quality.
• Direct and coordinate daily workflow within the assigned functional area, including assigning and balancing workloads, monitoring productivity, and ensuring established production and service deadlines are met.
• Monitor the accuracy, quality, and timeliness of work performed by Benefits Analysts and provide technical guidance and corrective direction as needed.
• Serve as a technical resource to Benefits staff regarding applicable pension laws, rules, policies, procedures, and internal controls; resolve routine and moderately complex issues and escalates significant or precedent-setting matters to the Benefits Manager.
• Implement established policies, procedures, internal controls, and approved process changes within the assigned functional area; identify opportunities for improvement and communicate recommendations to the Benefits Manager.
• Review and verify claims, recalculations, and other work prepared by Benefits Analysts and perform difficult or time-sensitive calculations requiring advanced knowledge and judgment, as needed.
• Coordinate assigned recurring Benefits activities and operational projects, including Mandatory Distribution Research, questionnaires, reporting requirements, and other activities within the assigned functional area.
• Monitor and coordinate the timely completion of Daily Action Reports and other required operational activities.
• Assist with the testing and implementation of approved system enhancements and serve as the liaison between Benefits staff, and Information Technology in the event the Benefits Manager is unavailable or as needed.
• Participate in cross-functional project teams and provide Benefits subject matter expertise, as assigned.
• Assist in identifying staff training and development needs and provide technical or operational training as assigned.
• Work closely with the Benefits Manager and other Benefits Leaders to promote consistent application of policies, procedures, and practices across Benefits.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned.

Education

Bachelors degree in business administration, Communications, Education, or a related field

Four years of progressive experience in lieu of a degree

Job description

It is inspiring to work in an organization where individuals are deeply committed to the mission and values that drive our success.

We are dedicated to delivering expert pension service to Illinois public educators as they earn their promised retirement security.

Under the direction of the Benefits Manager, the Benefits Supervisor supervises and coordinates the daily activities of Benefits Analysts responsible for the research, calculation, verification, and processing of disability, survivor, and applicable reciprocal claims.

The Benefits Supervisor is responsible for day-to-day workflow coordination, workload assignments, productivity monitoring, quality control, employee coaching and development, and ensuring established procedures, policies, statutes, rules, and internal controls are followed. The Supervisor serves as a technical resource to staff, assists with resolving complex or non-routine issues, and escalates significant issues and recommendations to the Benefits Manager.

The Benefits Supervisor leads the Survivor and Disability functional area and will be expected to cross train in the Retirements, and Member Accounts and Refunds functional areas to support those leaders during peak times. The Supervisor supports the Benefits Manager in implementing departmental priorities, procedures, process improvements, and special projects within the assigned functional area.

Essential Functions

• Supervise, develop, coach, train, and evaluate assigned Benefits staff; provide ongoing feedback and guidance regarding performance, productivity, and work quality.
• Direct and coordinate daily workflow within the assigned functional area, including assigning and balancing workloads, monitoring productivity, and ensuring established production and service deadlines are met.
• Monitor the accuracy, quality, and timeliness of work performed by Benefits Analysts and provide technical guidance and corrective direction as needed.
• Serve as a technical resource to Benefits staff regarding applicable pension laws, rules, policies, procedures, and internal controls; resolve routine and moderately complex issues and escalates significant or precedent-setting matters to the Benefits Manager.
• Implement established policies, procedures, internal controls, and approved process changes within the assigned functional area; identify opportunities for improvement and communicate recommendations to the Benefits Manager.
• Review and verify claims, recalculations, and other work prepared by Benefits Analysts and perform difficult or time-sensitive calculations requiring advanced knowledge and judgment, as needed.
• Coordinate assigned recurring Benefits activities and operational projects, including Mandatory Distribution Research, questionnaires, reporting requirements, and other activities within the assigned functional area.
• Monitor and coordinate the timely completion of Daily Action Reports and other required operational activities.
• Assist with the testing and implementation of approved system enhancements and serve as the liaison between Benefits staff, and Information Technology in the event the Benefits Manager is unavailable or as needed.
• Participate in cross-functional project teams and provide Benefits subject matter expertise, as assigned.
• Assist in identifying staff training and development needs and provide technical or operational training as assigned.
• Work closely with the Benefits Manager and other Benefits Leaders to promote consistent application of policies, procedures, and practices across Benefits.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Builds and manages effective teams by providing effective coaching and delivering constructive feedback
• Demonstrated time management and priority setting skills
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to analyze information logically with excellent judgement and decision-making skills
• Ability to find alternative solutions to problems
• Working knowledge of Agile principles and Scrum methodology as well as internal controls.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Communications, Education, or a related field is required OR four (4) years of progressive experience in lieu of a degree
• Five (5) + years of experience in public pension fund member services or pension administration management.
• One (1) + year in a supervisory or team lead/senior role
• Experience in a public pension plan preferred

If you thrive in a dynamic environment and enjoy collaborating with driven, enthusiastic professionals, you will find a rewarding career with us.

For Illinois Job Seekers

Pay Range

$82,871.00 - $129,279.00

Compensation will be determined based on the qualifications and experience of each candidate.

Benefits

TRS is an agency of the State of Illinois. As such, full and part-time employees are eligible for the State of Illinois comprehensive benefits program which includes medical, dental and vision coverage. All employees participate in the TRS retirement pension plan and have the option to contribute to additional State of Illinois deferred compensation plans. The TRS pension plan is a reciprocal system to other state and local pension plans (SERS, SURS, IMRF, etc.)