Division Manager for Benefits Division - Human Resources

The mission of the Human Resources Department states: “Our Human Resources team recognizes that our employees power the City of San Jose and our success as a city is dependent on our ability to create a dynamic and engaged workforce. Our employees’ ability to provide excellent service is strengthened when we invest in attracting talent, provide opportunities for career growth, enable an environment focused on health, safety, and wellness, and retain a diverse workforce in a workplace that is equitable and inclusive.”
 
San Jose’s Human Resources Department offers key strategic support to the City and is responsible for the following core services:
 

• Employee Benefits – Provide benefit programs that best meet the needs of employees, retirees, their dependents, and the City, assist participants in effectively utilizing their plans and promote employee wellness.
• Employment Services – Facilitate the City’s ability to attract and hire a diverse and talented workforce.
• Health and Safety – Provide services that promote employee health, safety, and well-being.
• Learning and Development – Provide Citywide employee training and pipeline development programs that support employee recruitment, growth, engagement, and retention.

 The Department also offers strategic support in Citywide Human Resources Systems Management and Records Management, Departmental Administration, Customer Service, Personnel Management, Financial Management, and Emergency Response and Recovery.The Human Resources Department is currently seeking to fill a full-time Division Manager of Benefits.
 
Salary range for this classification is: $131,187.68 - $207,658.10
 
This salary range(s) includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.
 
The City is seeking a Division Manager to manage all services and activities in the Benefits Division of the Human Resources Department. The Benefits Manager will report to the Director of Human Resources and will be responsible for administering the City of San José's extensive benefits program, which includes insurance programs and other health, financial and professional benefits. The Director and Division Manager will work closely to make recommendations to the City Manager based on their evaluation of all benefits plans.
 
The City of San José's Department of Human Resources is a hard-working, customer-focused, and data-driven team.  The Division Manager plays an integral role in ensuring that City employees are offered competitive, qualify and affordable benefits. The position requires someone who is well-organized, resourceful, and creative. The Division Manager role needs an individual with the ability to anticipate problems by proactively planning and a willingness to accept challenges. This person should be a strategic thinker and a confident decision-maker who works collaboratively to reach goals and determine solutions.Education: The Division Manager is required to have a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in public administration, business administration, or a related field.  A master's degree is highly desirable.

Experience: The Division Manager is also required to have six (6) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in business management and/or administration, including three (3) years of supervisory experience of professional staff and at least three (3) years’ experience in the field of benefits administration.
 
Form 700 requirement 
This position requires a disclosure of outside investments, real property interest, income, and business positions. You must complete and file an “Assuming Office Form 700” with the City Clerk’s Office within the first 30 days of employment with the office.The ideal candidate for the Benefits Manager position will be a well-rounded benefits professional with expertise in managing and negotiating health care benefits, be able to translate high volume and complex data sets into easy-to-understand terms and have experience managing vendors and consultants in a flexible and accountable way. This individual will be an effective, creative, and inspirational leader who is adept in gaining support, and implementing change and can motivate a team to realize the best they can be. They will have outstanding verbal and written communication skills. The ideal candidate will also be a collaborative and effective manager. Lastly, this person will also be a hands-on manager who operates efficiently through multiple projects and priorities.

• Administering and managing benefit programs that best meet the needs of employees, retirees, their dependents, and the City 
• Oversee development and implementation of the City’s wellness program 
• Assisting participants in utilizing their plans effectively 
• Managing competitive processes for benefits plans 
• Working understanding of HRIS benefits modules. 
• Providing staff support for the City's Benefits Review Forum, Deferred Compensation Advisory Committee, and VEBA Advisory Committee 
• Creating an effective long-term benefits strategy that factors in employee/retiree needs and market conditions.

Selection Process

To be considered, please provide answers to all supplemental questions and include a comprehensive resume in your application process. If you have any question about this recruitment, please contact Sarah Steele, Senior Executive Analyst, via email at sarah.steele@sanjoseca.gov.
 
You must provide answers to all supplemental questions to be considered for this position. Applications will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this brochure.  Candidates deemed to have the most relevant qualifications will be invited to panel interviews that are currently planned to take place in June 2024.