Benefits Budget Officer / Administrative Associate I

MSU Internal Job Postings Details • East Lansing, MI

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

MSU Human Resources sponsors a comprehensive suite of group benefit plans—including health, prescription drug, and dental insurance—for eligible employees and retirees. The Benefits Budget Officer is responsible for financial reporting, analysis, and budgeting that supports the effective management and long‑term sustainability of these programs. This role provides critical insight into financial trends, including health insurance claims, and helps the Finance and Total Rewards teams meet strategic priorities through data‑informed decision‑making. Salary The salary range for this position is fixed at $82,685 – $91,600. Final compensation will be determined based on relevant experience within this range. Remote Work Capability This position is based in East Lansing, Michigan, on the campus of Michigan State University. Human Resources embraces flexible work options, and this position allows for a hybrid work schedule (if desired), with regular onsite work required 1-2 days per week. All work schedules are assessed for impact to the work outcomes of the individual, team, and department – and must be pre-approved by the supervisor. What You’ll Do As the Benefits Budget Officer, you will:

Requirements

• Strong analytical and financial modeling skills with the ability to interpret complex data sets, including health insurance claims.
• Experience in budgeting, forecasting, or financial planning—ideally within benefits, insurance, or a related industry.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders, vendors, consultants, and cross‑functional HR partners.
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and commitment to data integrity.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to convey financial insights clearly to non‑financial audiences.
• Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, Data Science or a related field; more than five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in budget administration and financial analysis; experience with accounting practices; proficiency with spreadsheet software; experience in preparing financial reports and data validation; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in administration or financial operations of group employee benefit plans including health, prescription, or dental insurance; technical knowledge of insurance, benefit funding mechanisms, governmental plans, or institutions of higher education; an organized, resourceful self-starter with consistent follow-though and attention to detail will thrive in this role.

Responsibilities

• Lead budgeting for employee benefit plans , including cost reporting, financial analysis, and rate forecasting in partnership with internal stakeholders and external vendors/consultants.
• Develop financial models, dashboards, and analyses , including detailed review of self‑funded insurance claims, to support strategic financial planning within Total Rewards and HR.
• Produce financial reporting, modeling, and statistical calculations as assigned to support decision‑making across Benefits, HR leadership, and collective bargaining.
• Support HR financial operations , including accounting, treasury, transaction reporting, trend analysis, procurement activities (with participation in selected RFPs for MSU benefit plans), budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning.
• Monitor, aggregate, and validate employee benefits data , including claims and enrollment information, to assess financial impacts and support actuarial valuation of Other Post‑Employment Benefits (OPEB) liabilities.
• Assist HR and the MSU Controller’s Office with fiscal year‑end close processes, internal audit activities, and external financial audits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees