Mgr,HR Benefits

University of New Mexico; Albuquerque (NM); Hybrid; USD 79,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of New Mexico's HR Benefits team is seeking a Benefits Manager to lead the administration and strategic design of campus-wide benefits programs, including health, retirement, and leave offerings.

The role partners with internal stakeholders and vendors, ensures regulatory compliance, and supports ERP system implementation to improve processes, data integrity, and employee experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree; at least 7 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Responsibilities

• Administer and manage employee benefits programs.
• Advanced analytical, evaluative, and objective critical thinking skills and the ability to effectively summarize and present information.
• Maintain accurate records of employee benefits.
• Ensure compliance with relevant UNM policies, state, and federal regulations.
• Assist in the development and implementation of new benefits programs and policies.
• Manages and oversees personnel.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Skills

Benefits administration

Regulatory compliance

Vendor management

Data reporting

Supervisory experience

MS Office tools

Communication

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Requisition ID

req37734

Working Title

Mgr,HR Benefits

Position Grade

16

Position Summary

The University of New Mexico's Division of Human Resources is seeking a dedicated, collaborative and people-centered Benefits Manager who enjoys making a meaningful impact across our university community.

The successful candidate will bring significant, directly related experience administering and managing employee benefits programs, including oversight of eligibility, enrollment, plan administration, vendor coordination, issue resolution, and employee communications. This role manages and enhances a broad portfolio of benefits programs-including health, retirement, leave, and related offerings-through thoughtful strategic and operational leadership.

The position partners closely with internal stakeholders and vendors, ensures regulatory compliance, leads process and system improvements, and serves as a trusted subject matter expert for complex benefits inquiries. This role is responsible for the day-to-day administration and operational oversight of University benefits programs and requires a thorough understanding of benefits processes, plan design, and applicable federal and state regulations. In addition, this position will have the unique opportunity to support and help shape the University's transition to a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, leveraging benefits expertise to inform system design, improve processes, strengthen data integrity, and enhance the overall employee and benefits administration experience. By contributing to benefits strategy, program design, and clear communications, this role helps ensure our benefits programs reflect and support the University's mission, values, and commitment to employee wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities:

• Administer and manage employee benefits programs.
• Advanced analytical, evaluative, and objective critical thinking skills and the ability to effectively summarize and present information.
• Maintain accurate records of employee benefits.
• Ensure compliance with relevant UNM policies, state, and federal regulations.
• Assist in the development and implementation of new benefits programs and policies.
• Manages and oversees personnel.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

This position is eligible for a $10,000 hiring incentive; details upon offer.

Conditions of Employment

• Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement.
• Must pass a pre-employment criminal background check.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree; at least 7 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Progressively responsible, directly related experience administering comprehensive employee benefits programs, including health and welfare, retirement, leave, and voluntary benefit plans, within a complex organization.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing day-to-day benefits operations, including eligibility, enrollment, life event processing, employee communications, issue resolution, and coordination with benefits vendors.
• Strong knowledge of state and federal benefits laws and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to develop and implement benefits policies, procedures, and communications.
• Demonstrated use of data and reporting to support benefits decisions and cost control.
• Experience improving benefits processes, systems, and service delivery.
• Proven supervisory experience, including staff development and performance management.
• Experience with benefits systems, vendor management, and MS Office tools.
• Strong communication and strategic planning skills related to benefits administration.
• Experience serving as a subject matter expert for complex benefits issues and interpreting benefits plan provisions, policies, and regulatory requirements.

Campus

Main - Albuquerque, NM

Department

HR Benefits (730B2)

Employment Type

Staff

Staff Type

Regular - Full-Time

Pay

Monthly: $7,084.13 - $10,140.00

Benefits Eligible

This is a benefits eligible position. The University of New Mexico provides a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. In addition, UNM offers educational benefits through the tuition remission and dependent education programs. See the Benefits home page for a more information.

ERB Statement

As a condition of employment, eligible employees working greater than .25 FTE as determined by the New Mexico Education Retirement Act must make mandatory retirement contributions. For more information, review the Benefits Eligibility at a Glance grid.

Background Check Required

Yes

Eligible for Hiring Incentive

Yes, this position qualifies for a hiring incentive per program terms; details upon offer.

Eligible for Remote Work

Yes

Eligible for Remote Work Statement

Hybrid work arrangement available: minimum three days onsite, up to two days remote, subject to change based on business needs.

Veteran Preference Program

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

Background Check Details

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.

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