Employee Benefits Manager

Antelope Valley Medical Center; Lancaster (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Antelope Valley Medical Center is seeking a strategic Manager of Benefits to lead the organization’s benefits program design, implementation, training and communications. This role reports to the CEO or designee and acts as the internal SME for benefits, leave management, workers' compensation and regulatory compliance.

The position requires experience managing self-funded/self-insured plans, strong leadership and negotiation skills, and the ability to partner with HR, payroll and vendors to

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive Benefits management experience in a medium to large organization.
• Hands-on experience managing self-funded/self-insured employer plans.
• Experience in a union environment preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business or related field preferred.
• PHR/SPHR Certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design, manage and coordinate Benefits programs and projects.
• Develop and maintain relationships with management, serving as subject matter expert on benefits strategy.
• Plan and manage FY Plan Design Review and related activities.
• Oversee benefits broker relationships and other provider relationships.
• Participate in designing and administering all company benefits programs.
• Assist with leave management and compliance with applicable laws.

Skills

Leadership experience

Negotiation skills

Written communication

Oral presentation

Project management

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business

PHR/SPHR Certification

Tools

HRIS systems

Microsoft Excel

Payroll systems

Data analytics tools

Job description

Job Objective

The Manager of Benefits will initiate and lead the Benefits strategy and implementation of plans, including roll out, training and communication. This position which reports to the CEO or designee, will serve as an internal subject matter expert for benefits, self-funded/self-insured employer plans, absence management, workers' compensation and Employee Health regulatory compliance. This position is responsible for proactively anticipating business needs, managing financial risk, analyzing medical claims data, coordinating with third-party administrators (TPAs) and stop-loss carriers, ensuring legal compliance with federal and state regulations to develop and maintain benefits strategies, programs and policies supporting Antelope Valley Medical Center's strategic business objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities

• A. Design, manage and coordinate Benefits programs and projects
• B. Develop and maintain strong relationships with management and serve as subject matter expert on all elements of benefits strategy and administration.
• C. Ensure project planning and management for each Fiscal Year (FY) Plan Design Review
• D. Manage benefits broker relationships and other provider relationships
• E. Participate in designing and administering all company benefits programs
• F. Regularly interacts with the leave management vendor to ensure administration of leaves, leave tracking and certification/re-certification requests are done properly and timely in accordance with contract requirements.
• G. Analyzes routine and complex leave requests in accordance with company policy and applicable laws and facilitates an effective leave management program.
• H. Coordinates with applicable parties (vendors, internal payroll, and human resources partners) to effectively administer the leave process.
• I. Serve as subject matter expert for leave administration. Provides guidance and education to managers, employees, and human resource partners.
• J. Provides oversight to agents, vendors and providers of services and insurances
• K. Manage retirement programs including selection and management of Third-Party Administrators
• L. Coordinate with actuaries for annual retirement, workers' compensation and OPEB studies
• M. Provide data and act as benefits representative for annual audits
• N. Plans, organizes, administers and supervises Workers' Compensation Program.
• O. Participates in settlement negotiations.
• P. Recommends loss control strategies, ensuring program conformance to applicable laws and regulations.
• Q. Manages the Employee Health Department operations to ensure compliance with all applicable AVMC policies and regulatory requirements.
• R. Monitors and evaluates Employee Health and third-party clinical activities to ensure the delivery of quality services.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge

• Previous leadership and people management experience required
• Knowledge of governmental regulations related to compensation, benefits, payroll such as HIPAA, COBRA, ERISA, OSHA, The Joint Commission, Health Care Reform
• Knowledge of pertinent federal and state laws, codes and safety regulations including the State Labor Code, Workers' Compensation and Americans with Disabilities Act laws, and employment laws, procedures and regulations.
• Knowledge of jurisdictions, functions and procedures of the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board

Skills

• Hands-on experience managing self-funded/self-insured employer plans
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills
• Exceptional written, oral and presentation skills
• Use of modern office equipment including computers and software programs
• Strong project management, organizational and technical skills

Abilities

• Experience working effectively with internal clients at the highest levels of the organization
• Solid research, statistical and financial analysis abilities
• Medical and technical terminology used in industrial injury cases
• Solid quantitative and analytical abilities

Management Competencies

• Conflict Management
• Problem Solving
• Timely Decision Making
• Process Management
• Fairness to Direct Reports
• Hiring & Staffing
• Developing Direct Reports

Education and Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business or related preferred

Experience

• 5 + years of progressive Benefits management experience in a medium to large organization
• Hands-on experience managing self-funded/self-insured employer plans preferred
• Experience in a union environment preferred

Required Licensure and/or Certifications

• PHR/SPHR Certification highly preferred

AVMC Conduct/Compliance Expectations

• Ability to adhere with AVMC Attendance and Punctuality Policy.
• Ability to adhere with AVMC Leaves of Absence Policy.
• Ability to adhere with AVMC Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy.
• Ability to adhere to the department dress code.
• Ability to organize work and establish priorities.
• Ability to expand on own initiative in performance of duties.
• Skill and ability to follow the telephone etiquette/standards.
• Ability to function effectively under pressure and meet time parameters.
• Ability to communicate effectively while maintaining good working relationships with co-workers, managers and other hospital staff.
• Ability to adhere to the normal standards of courtesy and conduct as defined under the rules of hospitality at AVMC.
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of patients, hospital and department information.
• Ability to adhere to safety rules and regulations.
• Safely and effectively use all the equipment necessary to carry out duties.
• Ability to interpret and function under hospital and department policies and procedures.
• Conforms with required and appropriate accreditation and regulatory requirements.

NOTE: FULL JOB DESCRIPTION LISTED VIA THE LINK PROVIDED.