Director, Benefits

Essential Duties & Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Demonstrate commitment to Shedd’s vision, mission and values.   

• Responsible for overall design and administration of the health and welfare benefits. Leading the benefits planning, strategies, implementation, and recommendations to meet established objectives.

• Partners with Sr VP of Human Resources and the Benefits Committee to develop and manage benefits budget.

• Supports Diversity Equity, Accessibility & Inclusion institutional priorities through advancing innovative benefits & programs that consider all staff

• Manage and review benefit program effectiveness, through program metrics and ROI results of programs. Recommends new benefit programs and practices based on industry trends to ensure benefits remain competitive and employees are engaged and motivated.

• Develops benefits communication strategies that support the organization’s culture and helps employees understand the value of organization’s benefit programs.

• Manage the Retiree medical and dental benefits. Overseeing program eligibility, plan design and changes, premium reconciliation and assisting with annual valuation reporting.

• Serves as central contact for all staff, volunteers, retirees and vendors for all benefits. Provides service to employees related to benefits issues and works to resolve benefit issues and concerns.

• Oversight of leave of absence administration

• Manages the annual renewal process, including establishing employee premiums and the open enrollment process.

• Manages all aspects of the plan administration for 401(k) and 457(b) retirement savings plans. Responsible for reviewing and implementing retirement plan updates, amendments, and plan documents. Responsible for preparing and reviewing data for retirement plan audits, and recordkeeper information for NDT and profit-sharing plan calculations.

• Oversees management of vendors and brokers ensuring accountability, plan effectiveness and expectations are achieved.

• Keeps abreast of relevant legislation and changes affecting benefits and keeps management appropriately informed. Coordinates implementation of necessary changes, working with legal counsel as needed. Ensuring benefit plans remain compliant with federal, state and local regulations. Manage ACA reporting, Medicare D annual notices and FSA non-discrimination testing. Gather and review data for Schedule A information for the preparation of Form 5500s.

• Provide oversight for wellness initiatives designed to encourage and improve the overall well-being of the organization’s workforce

• Oversees the monthly bill reconciliation process for accurate and timely bill payment.

• Manage the Benefits Manager, providing training, support & career development.

Non-Management Responsibilities

• Serve on appropriate institutional teams.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Human Resource Management or related discipline or equivalent working experience

Experience & Skills:

• Minimum 7 years benefits administration experience including at least 3 years staff management experience

• In-depth knowledge of laws and taxation impacting benefits and compensation, including but not limited to the FLSA, Equal Pay Act, Rehabilitation Act, Health Care Reform, FMLA, GINA, HIPAA, and other pertinent regulations

• Reputation as a team player with good negotiating and consulting skills

• Strong mathematical and analytical aptitude

• Evidence of managing a variety of complicated tasks

• Ability to exhibit a wide degree of creativity

• Strong computer proficiency required. Solid experience with word processing, spreadsheet, and database management software, Intranet, and email required. Experience with Microsoft Office suite Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and HRIS systems required

Designations/Certifications: required/preferred

• CEBS Certification preferred

We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ community, veterans and active duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team.

If you need a reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know. In your application, please feel free to select which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs).