Benefits Consultant - Time Away, Disability & Life (# 365529)

$80,000 - $105,000/Yr

University of Minnesota

Full-time - Mid Level

Educational Services

About the position

The Benefits Consultant - Time Away, Disability & Life at the University of Minnesota is responsible for overseeing the University's benefits related to time away, disability, and life insurance. This role involves ensuring that the benefits offered are competitive, fiscally responsible, and responsive to employee needs. The consultant will conduct benchmarking, provide expert analysis, and manage vendor relationships while collaborating with various stakeholders to enhance the benefits programs.

Responsibilities

• Designs, implements, and analyzes the University's time away, disability, and life insurance benefits.
• Conducts benchmarking to ensure benefits are competitive with employment markets and recommends design changes.
• Works with the University Budget office to provide financial models of proposed policies and benefit plan designs.
• Provides consultation to human resource staff and employee governance groups on time away benefit offerings.
• Ensures staff is trained on all benefits and effectively administers the programs.
• Partners with communications teams to develop and implement education strategies for employees and retirees.
• Leads change management plans for significant benefit changes and introductions.
• Manages all vendors related to time away, disability, and life insurance, including RFPs and price negotiations.
• Assists in the design and modification of time away and leave policies, gaining support for recommended changes.
• Ensures compliance of benefits documents, contracts, and policies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or a business-related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible benefits experience, including experience with cost/benefit assessment and financial modeling.
• Knowledge of benefit issues, trends, and practices, with experience in translating benchmarking into proposed changes.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to manage mid to large-scale benefit changes and foster positive relationships among stakeholders.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's in Human Resources, Business, Public Health, Healthcare Administration, or related field.
• Professional benefits certification or progress towards certification (e.g., CEBS, CBP).
• Experience with HRMS systems and outsourced benefits administration.
• PeopleSoft experience.

Benefits

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off.
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs.
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans.
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• University HSA contributions.
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance.
• Employee wellbeing program.
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity.
• Financial counseling services.
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost.
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area.