Northwestern Memorial Healthcare Hiring for Manager of Benefits – Retirement and Health & Welfare at Chicago, IL  Full Time

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you’ll have the opportunity to join our quest for better healthcare, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. At Northwestern Medicine, we pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, we take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

Benefits

• $10,000 Tuition Reimbursement per year ($5,700 part-time)
• $6,000 Student Loan Repayment ($3,000 part-time)
• $1,000 Professional Development per year ($500 part-time)
• $250 Wellbeing Fund per year($125 for part-time)
• Annual Employee Merit Increase and Incentive Bonus
• Paid time off and Holiday pay

Description

The Benefits Manager reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Memorial, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Benefits Manager is responsible for the oversight of employee benefit programs for Northwestern Medicine and all of its affiliates.

Responsibilities:

• Direct and/or manage all projects, processes, resources and support activities as related to benefits.
• Provide team leadership and education in benefit products.
• Monitor regulatory compliance for all plans.
• Oversee audit processes and report findings of Requests for Information (RFI) and Requests for Proposals (RFP). Work with vendors, external counsel and OGC on vendor contracts

• Evaluate, recommend and negotiate new programs and vendors.
• Advise and educate employees on plan offerings and communication/support services available.
• Oversee plan administration to ensure compliance with plan documents and regulatory matters. Monitor regulatory changes and report findings and recommendations to the Director of Human Resources
• Manage day-to-day vendor/outsourcing relationships and vendor adherence to performance guarantees.
• Implement plan design changes and maintain plan documents.
• Manage project plan, oversee internal and external team members and complete Form 5500s for all benefit plans within specified timeframes.
• Develop & communicate key Benefits metrics while working with HR Service Line, Benefits Managers, EDW team, vendors, consultant and operational leadership.
• Work with communication experts on developing employee benefit communications including but not limited to Open Enrollment Guides, integration educational pieces, targeted email verbiage, and ongoing product specific brochures/flyers and on-demand videos and podcasts.
• Conduct training sessions including but not limited to Day 1 Orientation, Open Enrollment, Departmental Meetings, integration related Benefit Info sessions, My NM Service Center, Lunch & Learns.
• Remain current on legislative and IRS/DOL changes relative to plan regulations, procedure changes and mandated disclosures (as applicable)
• Provide advice, guidance, and direction to HRBPs on benefit related issues/concerns.
• Assist and/or complete tasks related to the transition of benefit plans for acquired or merged entities; including but not limited to: provider coordination, communications, compliance filings, adoption agreements, and plan document changes.
• Carry out special projects and benefit related responsibilities as assigned.
• Monitor Income and Expense Statements to assess monthly, quarterly and annual actual to budget variances. Determine ways to reduce variances. Set budget and Long-Range Financial Plan numbers based on organizational timeline.
• Recommend program strategies to leadership after weighing in pros and cons and discussing with key stakeholders.

Additional Functions

• Assist HR Leaders as called upon to analyze suggestions, respond to inquiries of management and prepare Executive Summaries as requested
• Assist with benefits budget preparation

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Finance, Business or related field or equivalent experience
• 7+ years of relevant experience in Human Resources/benefits management and project management
• Demonstrated project management and critical thinking skills.
• Demonstrated process improvement skills.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively establish and maintain working relationships with peers and constituents at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working with and negotiating with external vendors and vendor contracts.
• Excellent team building skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Exceptional organizational, problem-solving, and customer service skills
• Outstanding coordination, facilitation, consultation and conflict resolution skills
• Management experience with complex, cross-organizational systems

Preferred:

• Healthcare background
• Masters degree in related field

Equal Opportunity

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.