Employee Benefits Manager

Multnomah County • Portland, OR

1d • $118,323 - $177,485 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Multnomah County Benefits Office provides a competitive and comprehensive benefits program to our employees. The Benefits Office aims to help members get the most out of employee benefits: whether going in for yearly check-ups, getting a massage, starting a new family, getting ready to retire, going on medical or family leave – the Benefits Office is here to help. The Employee Benefits Manager is responsible for managing employee benefit programs for the County’s approximately 6,000 employees. This position requires the knowledge, skills and abilities to independently administer established benefit/wellness/leave policies and programs; make significant policy decisions; interpret conflicting regulations and interests; and maintain compliance with legal requirements, bargaining agreements, personnel rules, County mandates, and vendor contracts - all while keeping the diverse needs of our employees in the forefront. This role will design and develop enhancements to the programs available and operate within the budgetary constraints of the public sector environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree - in lieu of a degree we will consider equivalent related experience
• Three (3) to six (6) years experience managing complex benefits administration for a large organization
• Leadership experience that includes providing direct management and supervision of a team
• Process improvement and creative problem solving
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with a diverse range of stakeholders, candidates and staff.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and/or Google Workspace applications

Nice To Haves

• Experience managing a self-insured program.
• Demonstrated commitment and passion for managing and delivering a comprehensive benefits program.
• An understanding of and experience with all applicable benefits and leave programs: medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, retiree plans, employee assistance programs, FMLA/OFLA Administration, Flexible Spending Accounts, Short and Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, etc.
• Experience with providing support for benefits-related subjects of bargaining in union negotiations.
• Familiarity with the Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act (PECBA).
• Able to clearly communicate with all levels of stakeholders in multiple formats, verbal, written, web postings, formal and informal presentations.
• Experience managing change within a complex organizational structure.
• Proven effective leadership skills including the ability to inspire, engage and develop others.
• Results-driven orientation with a demonstrated ability to develop strategies, plans, research and programs that utilize best practices in the field.
• Commitment to equity and experience applying an equity lens / framework to the benefits programs.
• Experience in the public sector and with collective bargaining agreements
• Experience in Workday

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction, guidance and oversight for the administration of the county's complex self-insured benefits programs, including compliance with applicable laws and regulations and ensuring benefit offerings are fiscally responsible and meet the needs of our employees.
• Managing the County's Employee Benefits/Leave Administration team (9-14) both directly and through subordinate manager(s) to ensure plans and programs operate consistently.
• Managing vendor relations and contracts with insurance vendors; renegotiating vendor contracts as required; generating RFPs in accordance with County procurement rules;
• Maintaining compliance with Federal and State requirements for health and welfare plans which may include annual filings, notices and payments of required assessments.
• Assisting senior management and labor relations in development of bargaining strategies as they pertain to benefits; serving on the benefit bargaining committee for the County
• Providing consulting services to all County departments regarding benefits;
• Performing oversight and financial management of the Benefits/Wellness budget. Monitoring expenditures and funding.
• Analyzing statistical data from all plans, developing reporting tools from data and preparing trend analysis to make recommendations for benefit plan design, plan options and cost reduction for future benefit plan changes.
• Researching, designing, developing, bidding, and launching programs as directed by County management in accordance with requests from bargaining units and/or elected officials.
• Ensuring production and sharing of concise communications for all benefit needs.

Benefits

• employer-funded retirement savings
• health and dental insurance at very low cost to full-time employees and their dependents
• paid parental leave
• wellness programs
• a focus on work-life balance

What This Job Offers

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