Benefits Manager

Position Description

Seattle Human Resources (SHR) endeavors to promote an equitable and engaging work environment so employees can do their best work and make a difference for the people and communities we serve. The Department focuses on providing high quality services to all City employees and departments and works collaboratively with department leaders to align policies, practices, and programs citywide to fulfill the vision of workforce equity and excellence.

As part of this mission, the Benefits team manages a variety of benefit contracts and plans to support approximately 12,000 City of Seattle employees. We are looking for a Benefits Manager who will oversee the team's work to ensure compliant administration of benefits for active, retired, and COBRA participants. In this role, you will act as a senior leader for the team, as well as set annual and future program priorities for team activities, communication campaigns, and well-being efforts. You will have a central role in expanding and growing preventative programs for the City to ensure that our offerings promote wellness for the whole person.

Job Responsibilities

Your top priorities in this role will be :

• Providing leadership to a team of 10 benefit team members, including performance management, training and development, and succession planning
• Managing all communication campaigns and related materials
• Managing vendor relationships with insurers and plan administrators, including contracting, auditing, and evaluating performance guarantees
• Leading ongoing and future well-being and benefit strategy development, including the development and implementation of new offerings

You will support labor relations negotiations for benefits programs by :

• Maintaining knowledge and awareness of industry and social trends affecting benefit program offerings
• Co-leading joint Labor/Management committee for Coalition and non-represented benefits
• Providing input for collective bargaining for other union negotiations

You will ensure compliant administration of benefits by :

• Involving internal and external legal resources as appropriate for compliance and escalated issues
• Engaging with City Budget Office and Financial Services to monitor health care fund activity
• Maintaining responsibility for the integrity and accuracy of the unit's billing and HCM system content and activity
• Acting as HIPAA Officer for the City

Here's more about what you'll be doing :

• Overseeing team activities for educating Benefit Representatives across City departments
• Directing external consultant in retainer and project activities
• Ensuring City benefit program compliance with federal and state law
• Supporting Deputy Director in Health Care Fund management and addressing City Council matters
• Actively participating in leadership activities of both the division and the department

Qualifications

You will be most successful if you have demonstrated significant knowledge and expertise in employee health and wellness benefit program management. A commitment to listening, creating space for diverse perspectives, and the pursuit of inclusive and just outcomes must be at the center of your professional practice. The ability to provide leadership and management to a team of employees will also contribute to your success. Specifically, you'll be prepared to take on this role if you have a combination of the following:

Experience or Certification in:

• Developing and implementing new health and wellness benefit offerings
• Leading, growing, and mentoring a team of employees at various experience levels
• Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion goals
• Vendor management
• Labor relations, including collective bargaining activities
• Workday or other similar HRIS systems
• Certified Employee Benefit Specialist program or PHR

The ability to:

• Communicate effectively and tactfully at all levels
• Manage communication strategies and materials
• Take a strong role in well-being strategies and policy changes and practices
• Demonstrate skills in change management, particularly with large system changes and updates
• Support your team as they're training on new technology
• Build and maintain strong working relationships, particularly with vendor partners
• Troubleshoot problems as they arise

Additional Information

This position is classified as a Manager 2, General Government and is not overtime eligible (FLSA exempt). This position reports to the Deputy Director of Citywide Benefits. The full salary range for this position is $41.85 - $71.80 per hour ( $99,910.80 - $149,918.40 Annually) . The salary range for this individual role has been identified as $68.56 - $71.80 hourly ($143,153.28 - $149,918.40 Annually).

The first round of interviews for this position are tentatively scheduled for Monday, October 16 and Tuesday, October 17, with the second round taking place on Tuesday, October 24, 2023.

This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Employees will be expected to be in-office twice a week. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and their supervisor.

Applicants must successfully pass a background check, which will be conducted in accordance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be given a chance to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans .

The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Please submit your application at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/ no later than 4:00pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 . To be considered for this position, in addition to completing your application fully, please attach:

• A PDF of your current resume which illustrates your related skills, experience, and abilities
• Cover Letter explaining your interest in this opportunity with Seattle Human Resources and capability to perform in this role

This position is open to candidates who demonstrate alignment with the skills and experience described above. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. If you have questions, please contact Lindsey King at Lindsey.King@seattle.gov .

#LI-Hybrid

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
"Most" Employees Plans - Human Resources | seattle.gov

Closing Date/Time: 10/3/2023 4:00 PM Pacific