Director of Benefits - Human Resources and PayrollGeorge Mason University's Human Resources & Payroll department Benefits Team seeks a Director of Benefits, who will be responsible for managing benefits programs for George Mason University.In addition to a first class culture at Virginia's largest Public University, this position offers:Potential for flexible telework and hybrid telework schedulingCompetitive salaryOutstanding benefits including:Health & life insurance, multiple industry leading retirement plans available including state VRS Hybrid Retirement Plan, accrued paid days off per year, paid holidays, paid winter break, paid sick leave, professional development, tuition reimbursement at GMU, and employee assistance programs.George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason's academic and culturally inclusive environment.About the Position:Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, Total Rewards, the Director of Benefits is responsible for managing benefits programs for George Mason University. The role includes consultation with executive leadership, human resources colleagues, and the state's Department of Human Resource Management regarding benefit programs, policies and practices. The role will also include planning, developing, and implementing benefits and wellness programs, policies, and practices. This position is responsible for ensuring program compliance with federal and state requirements. The scope of employee benefits programs includes group health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, and other programs.Responsibilities:Provide leadership and direction to the Benefits team;Select, monitor, evaluate, and manage all vendor relationships, serving as the university contact for benefit vendors and insurance carriers on all university sponsored benefit plans;Ensure all benefit programs are designed and administered within full compliance of pertinent Federal and state laws and regulations, and that all government and regulatory agency reporting and disclosure requirements are met timely, accurately and completely;Work with the state and/or vendors to ensure that STD (short term disability), LTD (long term disability), and WC (worker's compensation) benefits are managed properly. Direct staff and ensure coordination with payroll and others to ensure correct payment and deductions for benefit contributions during various types of leave;Manage current leave programs and create new leave programs and develop policies and procedures. Set clear guidelines to maintain and explain accurate leave benefits, determining eligibility, calculation of leave payouts, and leave balance management. This includes the communication of policies and procedures to managers and affected employees, working in coordination with the HR policies colleague;Maintain current knowledge of government regulations and laws associated with benefits and absence management. Benchmark best practices for faculty, staff and executives;Support Investment Policy Committee (IPC) through work with actuarial consultants and ORP vendors including committee members. Evaluate and analyze current retirement programs to ensure all plans remain market competitive and cost effective. Follow Investment Policy Statement guidelines for all retirement plans and try benchmark to meet ERISA compliance regulations. Prepare as needed and/or required annual returns and filings;Develop and execute comprehensive communication strategies and programs to foster employee understanding, better consumerism and appreciation of the value of all company sponsored benefit programs and services;As needed, conduct cost analyses to determine the direct and indirect cost of absence and recommend practices to improve costs where possible;Assists with the administration of corporate compensation practices; oversees the development and maintenance of the executive deferred compensation plan;Work with benefits attorney and Chief Human Resource Officer to ensure legal and current trends in employee sponsored benefit programs;Acts as internal benefits expert, and strategist;Analyze existing benefits, wellness, and absence management policies and prevailing practices of like institutions to remain competitive in programs and policies; andManage benefits projects through bench marking university best practices. Provide metrics and data on new trending programs.Required Qualifications:Master's degree in HR, Business Administration or other relevant field required; or Bachelor's degree with significant benefits, wellness, and absence management experience equivalent to an advanced degree;Progressive related experience in benefits administration, wellness programs, and absence management;Knowledge of creating, developing, and implementing new benefit options and benefits plans and designs;A substantive knowledge of/experience in federal and state law, compliance requirements in HIPPA, COBRA regulations, FMLA, ADA, and general HR and benefits practices;Demonstrated supervisory and leadership skills; proven ability to model desired work values and practices for other team members and create a work setting that encourages both individual and team accomplishments;Excellent problem solving and analytical skills; proven ability to research, follow up and resolve complex issues and problems surfaced by the team;Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to present complex issues/data with a high level of clarity and impact;Skills and experience in counseling and advising diverse employees at all levels in a complex organization;Ability to work with diverse individuals and groups on campus;Analytical skill in examining benefits plans and compensation programs; andAs part of an evolving department, candidate must be adaptable to change and have the competencies to perform their role and execute responsibilities as part of a wider HR Business Partner model.Preferred Qualifications:Experience in higher education or a large diverse work environment;Previous experience within a state institution;Ability to work initiatives through committees and create buy-in and support;Strategic planning experience;Strong skills in project management and problem-solving;Understanding of benefit contracts with vendors and pricing methodology;Experience working with Oracle HRMS database, PeopleSoft, or other related HRMS systems;Experience creating complex and diverse faculty and staff programming;Experience marketing benefits as well as experience with public benefits administration;Eight years of progressive experience in benefits administration including creation/analysis of benefit designs, vendor contract management, and qualified define contribution plans;Several years of supervisory experience managing a staff of three or more full-time employees; andCertified Benefits Professional or CEBS.

For full consideration, applicants must apply at https://jobs.gmu.edu/; complete and submit the online application; and upload a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information.

"Great Careers Begin at Mason! George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in both academics and research. Mason holds a top U.S. News and World Report "Up and Coming" spot for national universities and is recognized for its global appeal and excellence in higher education.Mason is currently the largest and most diverse university in Virginia with students and faculty from all 50 states and over 135 countries studying in over 200 degree programs at campuses in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William, as well as at learning locations across the commonwealth. Rooted in Mason's diversity is a campus culture that is both rewarding and exciting, work that is meaningful, and opportunities to both collaborate and create.If you are interested in joining the Mason family take a look at our current opportunities and catch some Mason spirit at jobs.gmu.edu/!George Mason University, Where Innovation is Tradition."