VP, Benefits and Leave Administration Manager

Bank OZK; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in Arkansas is seeking a professional to lead and manage employee benefits programs. The role requires expertise in benefits planning and administration, ensuring compliance with laws and effective communication with employees. Candidates should have significant experience in a leadership position, with a focus on providing excellent service and maintaining organizational standards.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience managing employee benefits and leave administration.
• 1+ years’ experience in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Comprehensive knowledge of relevant laws and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and design of employee benefits programs.
• Manage new and revised benefits policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with laws and regulations.

Skills

Employee benefits planning

Leave administration

Workers’ compensation

Communication

Project management

Problem-solving

Customer service

Data analysis

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor’s degree or commensurate work experience

PHR, CEBS, or CBP certification (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Purpose & Scope

Lead planning and design of employee benefits programs to meet Bank OZK’s current and future business needs. Manage day-to-day operations for benefits, leave administration and workers’ compensation programs. Ensure programs are administered consistently in compliance with applicable company policies and federal, state and local laws and regulations.

Essential Job Functions

Collaborates with senior leadership and insurance brokerage/consulting partner to drive benefits strategy, planning, communication, education and execution in alignment with Bank strategy and goals.

Manages new and revised benefits programs, policies, and procedures, including planning and execution of the annual health and welfare renewal and enrollment process.

Ensures benefits, leave administration and workers’ compensation programs are administered consistently in compliance with company policies and federal, state and local laws and regulations.

Proactively monitors and assesses the effectiveness and competitiveness of existing benefits by conducting research, participating in benefits surveys (e.g., Kaiser Family Foundation, Mercer, Gallagher) and gathering and analyzing benchmark data; recommends plan revisions or new plans that are cost-effective and consistent with company objectives and competitive market trends.

Interacts with vendors and manages relationships and service levels effectively.

Collaborates with leave management vendor to ensure policy and procedure compliance and accuracy/timeliness of cases.

Partners closely with other HR and legal staff regarding status of related employee matters.

Responds to inquiries, troubleshoots concerns and advises management and employees on benefits, leave administration and worker’s compensation matters.

Establishes high standards for and ensures excellent customer service.

Ensures the Bank is compliant with regulatory reporting requirements (e.g., Summary Annual Reports, Employee notices for Medicare, Benefit Plan Descriptions, Annual Workers’ Compensation reporting).

Actively manages and participates in benefits reconciliation, leave administration and coding, manager/employee inquiries and other tactical processes to ensure compliance, accuracy and timeliness.

Maintains complete and accurate records of employee benefits, leaves of absence, workplace accommodations and workers’ compensation claims.

Maintains knowledge of relevant government rules and regulations (e.g., ERISA, DOL, COBRA, ACA, IRS, HIPAA) and develops and maintains audit plan/readiness to ensure internal and external compliance requirements are met; actively participates in internal audit exams related to benefits and leave administration.

Collaborates with insurance brokerage/consulting partner and the Bank’s Communications department to craft employee communications regarding benefits.

Documents and updates policies and procedures related to benefits and leaves of absence.

Maintains current and accurate information on the benefits page of the Bank’s intranet.

Leads and directs the work of benefits and leave administration team members.

Actively serves on various committees or sub-committees (e.g., Plan Administrative Committee), providing knowledgeable and insightful guidance and input.

Produces timely, thorough and accurate work, ensuring deadlines and regulatory requirements are met.

Regularly exercises discretion and judgment in the performance of essential job functions.

Maintains good punctuality and attendance to work.

Follows Bank policy, procedures, and guidelines.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Comprehensive knowledge of employee benefits planning and administration, leave administration and workers’ compensation

Comprehensive knowledge of applicable laws and regulations

Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, including presentation skills

Ability to interact effectively with all levels of management and employees

Ability to persuade and influence decision makers, demonstrating strong business acumen

Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects, adapt quickly to changing needs and work effectively with exacting deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Ability to demonstrate effective project management and organizational skills

Ability to manage and complete accurate, detailed work

Ability to demonstrate effective analytical and problem-solving skills

Ability to accurately interpret large amounts of data and present such data in an understandable format for others

Ability to provide excellent customer service

Ability to lead and manage team members effectively

Ability to work in a team environment both internally and externally

Ability to work without close supervision

Ability to maintain confidentiality

Ability to follow policies and procedures and to communicate them accurately to others

Skill in using computer and Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or commensurate work experience required

5+ years’ experience planning and managing employee benefits, leave administration and workers’ compensation programs required

1+ years’ work experience in a leadership or supervisory role required

PHR, CEBS, CBP or other relevant certification preferred

Job Expectations

Job Expectations: O perate customary equipment and technology used in a business environment, with or without accommodation.

Note: This description is not an exhaustive list of all job functions, duties, skills, and job standards required. Other job functions, duties, skills, and standards may be added. Management reserves the right to add or change the job requirements at any time.

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EEO Statement

Bank OZK is an equal opportunity employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, and local law. Member FDIC.

Bachelor’s degree or commensurate work experience required

5+ years’ experience planning and managing employee benefits, leave administration and workers’ compensation programs required

1+ years’ work experience in a leadership or supervisory role required

PHR, CEBS, CBP or other relevant certification preferred

Comprehensive knowledge of employee benefits planning and administration, leave administration and workers’ compensation

Comprehensive knowledge of applicable laws and regulations

Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, including presentation skills

Ability to interact effectively with all levels of management and employees

Ability to persuade and influence decision makers, demonstrating strong business acumen

Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects, adapt quickly to changing needs and work effectively with exacting deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Ability to demonstrate effective project management and organizational skills

Ability to manage and complete accurate, detailed work

Ability to demonstrate effective analytical and problem-solving skills

Ability to accurately interpret large amounts of data and present such data in an understandable format for others

Ability to provide excellent customer service

Ability to lead and manage team members effectively

Ability to work in a team environment both internally and externally

Ability to work without close supervision

Ability to maintain confidentiality

Ability to follow policies and procedures and to communicate them accurately to others

Skill in using computer and Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint