Benefits Supervisor - Internal Only

This position is open to internal candidates only. External candidates will not be reviewed or considered.

Salary/Position Classification

• $64,800 annual, Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• This position will work onsite the Grand Forks, ND campus.

Purpose of Position

The Benefits Supervisor supports the University of North Dakota's employees by overseeing the day-to-day administration and communication of employee benefit programs. Serving as a key resource for employees and departments, this position helps ensure benefit programs are delivered accurately, efficiently, and with a strong focus on employee service.

The position provides leadership and guidance to the Benefits team, translates state and system-level benefit requirements into effective university processes, and partners with key stakeholders to support consistent and responsive benefits administration. This role does not establish benefit plan offerings, plan design, employee premium rates, or other financial aspects of benefit programs.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Benefits Education, Communication & Employee Support
  • Provide accurate and timely information to employees regarding available benefit programs, eligibility requirements, enrollment opportunities, qualifying life events, coverage changes, retirement benefits, and related processes
  • Develop and maintain employee-facing benefits communications, guides, presentations, FAQs, webpages, and other educational materials.
  • Conduct benefits education for new employees, existing employees, experiencing qualifying life events, and employees approaching retirement
  • Present benefits information in individual and large group settings and through electronic communications
  • Translate complex benefit provisions, procedures, and changes into clear, employee-friendly information.
  • Coordinate and support annual benefits/open enrollment communications and education.
  • Monitor employee questions and recurring issues to identify opportunities for improved communication or process clarification.
  • Provide retirement counseling support to employees, including review of retirement benefit information, retirement estimates, retirement kit, and required NDPERS and Social Security/Medicare forms.
  • Notify employees of annual enrollment dates & information/work with employees & PERS regarding online open enrollment
  • Coordinate TIAA retirement counseling sessions and assist employees with retirement estimates and retirement kits. 
• Benefits Team Supervision & Workflow
  
  • Coordinate daily workflow to ensure timely completion of benefits enrollments, changes, terminations, records, billing, reporting, and other assigned processes.
  • Establish and maintain cross-training and coverage procedures to ensure continuity of benefits services during employee absences and periods of high volume.
  • Assist during open enrollment periods
  • Provide functional guidance and technical support to Benefits Assistant II staff Review work processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, consistency, and customer service.
  • Coordinate workload and staffing priorities during annual enrollment and other periods of increased benefits activity.
  • Develop and maintain team procedures, reference materials, checklists, and workflow documentation. 
• Benefits Administration and Quality Assurance
  • Serve as a resource for complex or escalated employee benefit questions.
  • Research and resolve non-routine benefits issues involving enrollment, eligibility, coverage, payroll deductions, qualifying life events, retirement, claims, billing, and related processes.
  • Provide oversight of benefits administration processes to ensure employee enrollments, changes, terminations, deductions, contributions, billing, and related transactions are completed accurately and timely.
  • Review and monitor benefits transactions, payroll deductions, billing, reconciliations, and other key administrative processes for accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.
  • Identify discrepancies, recurring errors, or process issues and coordinate corrective action with appropriate staff and internal or external partners.
  • Work with NDPERS, TIAA, NDUS, benefit providers, retirement providers, Payroll, Human Resources, and other appropriate partners to resolve benefits-related discrepancies and issues.
  • Interpret and apply established benefit policies, procedures, eligibility requirements, and administrative processes.
  • Maintain working knowledge of applicable NDUS policies, state benefit program requirements, federal requirements, and institutional procedures affecting benefits administration.
  • Participate in testing and implementation of benefits system changes, including annual enrollment and system and process updates.
  • Assist with audits, reporting, reconciliations, and other quality-control activities and ensure appropriate follow-up on identified issues.
  • Provide operational backup for critical benefits administration functions, including enroll
• Program Coordination, Communications, & Continuous Improvement
  • Monitor changes to benefits programs and administrative requirements established by NDUS, NDPERS, retirement providers, insurance providers, and other applicable entities.
  • Coordinate institutional implementation of benefits program changes.
  • Develop implementation and communication plans for benefits changes.
  • Participate in system-level or state-level benefits workgroups as assigned and communicate institutional operational considerations.
  • Serve as an institutional resource to the department and campus partners regarding benefits administration processes.
  • Recommend improvements to institutional benefits administration processes based on employee needs, operational issues, and administrative requirements.
  • Maintain current knowledge of benefits administration practices and applicable requirements.

Required Competencies

• Benefits Knowledge & Application: Ability to learn, interpret, and apply established benefit program provisions, policies, procedures, and administrative requirements.
• Employee Education & Communication: Ability to explain complex benefits information clearly and effectively to employees with varying levels of knowledge and experience.
• Problem Solving & Issue Resolution: Ability to research problems, identify the source of discrepancies, coordinate with appropriate parties, and resolve or appropriately escalate non-routine issues.
• Supervision & Team Leadership: Ability to assign work, establish priorities, provide direction and feedback, develop staff capability, and maintain effective team operations.
• Organization & Workflow Management: Ability to manage multiple processes, deadlines, recurring cycles, and competing priorities while maintaining accuracy.
• Attention to Detail & Quality Assurance: Ability to identify errors, verify information, and maintain accurate benefits records and transactions.
• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with employees, HR and Payroll colleagues, departments, state/system partners, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Confidentiality & Professionalism: Ability to exercise discretion and appropriately safeguard confidential employee information.
• Technology & Systems: Ability to learn and effectively use HRIS, benefits administration, document management, reporting, and other business systems.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, accounting, or related field OR associate’s degree and 3 years of directly related professional experience.
• 3 years of progressively responsible experience in employee benefits administration, including health insurance, flexible spending, dental, life and vision insurances
• Experience developing employee education, presentations, written communications, or training materials.
• Proficient Experience using Microsoft including Excel, Word, and Outlook
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Accounting background with experience in retirement programs and investments
• Experience with NDUS, NDPERS, TIAA, or comparable public-sector benefit programs.
• Experience with PeopleSoft HRMS
• Experience using Perceptive Content
• Experience with SBHE, NDUS, and UND policies and procedure
• Experience working in SharePoint.