Benefits Supervisor

Teachers Retirement System of Illinois • Springfield, IL

9d

About The Position

The Benefits Supervisor leads the Survivor and Disability functional area and supervises Benefits Analysts responsible for researching, calculating, verifying, and processing disability, survivor, and applicable reciprocal claims. Under the direction of the Benefits Manager, the Supervisor coordinates daily workflows, assigns and balances workloads, monitors productivity and quality, and ensures work meets service deadlines and established requirements. The Supervisor coaches and develops staff, provides technical guidance, resolves routine and moderately complex issues, and escalates significant or precedent-setting matters to the Benefits Manager.

The role implements departmental policies, procedures, internal controls, and approved process changes; reviews claims and other work; and performs difficult or time-sensitive calculations when needed. The Supervisor coordinates recurring operational activities and projects, supports system enhancement testing and implementation, and may serve as a liaison with Information Technology. The position also contributes Benefits expertise to cross-functional projects, identifies training and process-improvement needs, and works with the Benefits Manager and other Benefits leaders to promote consistent practices. Cross-training in Retirements and Member Accounts and Refunds is expected to support those areas during peak times.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Communications, Education, or a related field, or four years of progressive experience in lieu of a degree.
• Five or more years of experience in public pension fund member services or pension administration management.
• One or more years in a supervisory, team lead, or senior role.
• Effective team-building, coaching, and constructive feedback skills.
• Demonstrated time management and priority-setting skills.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to analyze information logically and exercise sound judgment and decision-making.
• Ability to find alternative solutions to problems.
• Working knowledge of Agile principles, Scrum methodology, and internal controls.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a public pension plan is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, develop, coach, train, and evaluate assigned Benefits staff; provide ongoing feedback on performance, productivity, and work quality.
• Direct and coordinate daily workflow, including assigning and balancing workloads, monitoring productivity, and ensuring production and service deadlines are met.
• Monitor the accuracy, quality, and timeliness of Benefits Analysts’ work and provide technical guidance or corrective direction as needed.
• Advise Benefits staff on applicable pension laws, rules, policies, procedures, and internal controls; resolve routine and moderately complex issues and escalate significant matters to the Benefits Manager.
• Implement established policies, procedures, internal controls, and approved process changes; identify improvement opportunities and communicate recommendations to the Benefits Manager.
• Review and verify claims, recalculations, and other work prepared by Benefits Analysts; perform difficult or time-sensitive calculations as needed.
• Coordinate recurring Benefits activities and operational projects, including Mandatory Distribution Research, questionnaires, and reporting requirements.
• Monitor and coordinate the timely completion of Daily Action Reports and other required operational activities.
• Assist with testing and implementing approved system enhancements and serve as liaison between Benefits staff and Information Technology when needed.
• Participate in cross-functional project teams and provide Benefits subject matter expertise as assigned.
• Identify staff training and development needs and provide technical or operational training as assigned.
• Work with the Benefits Manager and other Benefits leaders to promote consistent application of policies, procedures, and practices.
• Cross-train in Retirements and Member Accounts and Refunds to support those leaders during peak times.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned.

Benefits

• Medical coverage
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• Participation in the TRS retirement pension plan
• Option to contribute to additional State of Illinois deferred compensation plans

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager