Scheduled Hours

40

Position Summary

This role will provide leadership for WashU HR Benefits function by managing the benefits service center in support of active, inactive, terminated and retired faculty, staff and trainees, and candidates/pre-hires; leading benefits projects; serving as technical writer and subject matter expert on benefits content, documentation and training.

This people-leader position provides a blend of strategic planning and hands-on expertise, oversight and coaching to the team that is responsible for inquiries regarding WashU’s HR processes and programs including health and welfare, wellness, tuition, retirement, leaves of absence, time off, and other HR policies.

This role will ensure that the Benefits People Service Team provides scalable, high-quality support that enhances the employee experience; issues are directed to the appropriate channel such as internal centers of excellence, website, Workday system, vendors etc. and are resolved timely.

Job Description

Performs the following activities with regards to servicing the university’s plans and policies:

• Manages day-to-day operations of the Benefits People Service Team resulting in a high-level of support and superior customer service, which includes process improvements, workflow efficiency, monitoring of transactional processing for compliance and accuracy, handling projects, and escalated customer concerns.

• Acts as a point of contact to resolve escalated or complex cases and communicate benefits to employees and managers on behalf HR.

• Leads and motivates the team through performance coaching, team building, training and employee development to provide accurate and timely customer service for complex transactions, escalated issues, and customer requests.

• Develops work procedures, assigns duties, oversees work schedules, establishes performance metrics and monitors function and team performance, to ensure team member effectiveness.

• Ensures processes are documented. Drives continuous improvement to promote team efficiency.

• Manages internal partnerships and vendor relationships, as needed.

• Participates on project teams to provide subject matter expertise.

• Responsible for maintaining compliance such as data privacy and HIPAA, data accuracy and security.

Manages set up and/or access to tools used by the Benefits People Service Team for success including Workday, ServiceNow CRM, and the softphone application, and other applications as needed.

Defines metrics and service level agreements with business partners. Ensures team meets service level agreements.

• Consults with HR Centers of Excellence on issues, metrics, trends and opportunities.

• Manages technologies and tools that improves the employee experience, and helps the service center representatives, as well as adapts to business changes and improves operating efficiencies.

• Creates dashboards, queries and reports, with the ability to manipulate data from multiple sources to track individual and team performance and provide meaningful metrics.

• Manages operational issues and corrections.

• Responsible for continuous improvement and will assist with the identification and implementation of solutions such as tools, programs, processes and metrics.

Assists with complex benefits projects and program implementations in coordination with HR and vendor partners.

• Provides critical analysis, guidance, and expertise on key HR, health and retirement benefit initiatives and projects including Health and Welfare annual enrollment setup and process.

• Develops functional specifications, project planning materials, advises project teams and helps to execute implementation strategies for enhancements, plan changes and other HR/benefits-or vendor related changes.

Serves as subject matter expert on technical benefits writing, messaging, documentation and educational/training materials.

• Manages annual (ongoing, such as Open Enrollment and new hire orientation) communications and special project (one-time) communications, training and other materials.

• For benefits projects, developing communications plans, creating content, soliciting input and signoff on communications. Coordinates with key business partners and assists with communications (participant and organizational) as needed for project rollouts.

• Documents plan/policy updates.

• Provides benefits input to HR communications.

• Serves as a subject matter expert and a key liaison to the Workday team and other organizational partners on implementation of benefits projects.

• Develops content in support of benefits including communications, documentation, training materials and updates to Plans and policies.

Collaborate with subject matter experts and policy/process owners including benefits, compensation, Workday, recruitment, employee relations, HR operations, payroll and others to ensure high quality and effective service delivery and solutions.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:
Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office environment.

• Alternative work schedules.

• Ability to move to on and off-campus locations.

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at desk or table.

• Repetitive wrist, hand, or finger movement.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.

Certifications:

No specific certification is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Benefits Strategy, Design, Operations, And Project Management (8 Years)

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

WashU seeks highly motivated individuals who are able to perform duties in a manner consistent with our core mission and guiding principles.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Master's degree

Certifications:

No additional certification beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Work Experience:

Healthcare And/Or Benefits Leadership (4 Years)

Skills:

Benefits Administration, Benefit Systems, Constructive Feedback, Deadline Management, Detail-Oriented, Employee Compensation and Benefits, High Accuracy, High Reliability, Interpersonal Communication, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Multitasking, Oral Communications, Positive Thinking, Relationship Building, Self Motivation, Service Oriented, Shared Services Operations, Team Collaboration, Vendor Management, Work Attitudes, Workday Benefits, Working Independently, Written Communication

Grade

G16

Salary Range

$96,000.00 - $169,300.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.

• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.

• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Washington University is dedicated to building a community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.