Manager, Benefits

Western Governors University • Salt Lake City, UT

1d

About The Position

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career. Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families. The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is: Grade: Management_Executive 608 Pay Range: $101,000.00 - $181,800.00 Job Description Provides operational, technical, and strategic expertise in support of the Senior Manager of employee benefits. Manages and develops a team of Benefits Analyst who carry out the day-to-day administration and employee-facing interactions. Works alongside other Benefits leaders to provide stewardship of processes, analysis, data reconciliation and auditing, reporting, communications, and project management critical to the operation of the university’s employee Leave and Disability benefits plans, programs and policies. Works closely with all areas of the university’s People & Talent, Payroll, Finance, and more than 20 external administrative and consulting partners to ensure the smooth delivery of employee Leave and Disability benefits as a key component of the university’s total rewards programs. Key contributor to ongoing benchmarking and strategy development in support of the university’s total rewards philosophy, including participation in cross-functional initiatives and coordination with external advisors. The Benefits Manager plays a key role in advancing WGU’s total rewards strategy by leading a team of Benefits Analysts and serving as the primary subject matter expert for retirement programs and healthcare savings plans. This role shapes the experience of employees across the university by stewarding complex benefit operations, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving continuous improvement across systems, processes, and vendor partnerships.

Requirements

• Advanced knowledge of employee benefits trends, laws, and regulations, especially related to retirement and healthcare savings plans.
• Strong understanding of HRIS processes and cross‑functional impacts across enterprise systems.
• Ability to conduct root‑cause analysis, identify drivers of outcomes, and recommend improvements.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with senior leadership, cross‑functional partners, and external vendors.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to interpret technical HR materials and present complex information clearly.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, high‑growth environment with shifting priorities.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a large organization with 1,000+ benefits‑eligible employees.
• Workday experience.
• CEBS, SHRM‑CP/SHRM‑SCP, or PHR/SPHR certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Benefits Analysts to ensure effective execution of day‑to‑day benefits administration and employee support.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for retirement programs, healthcare savings plans, and benefit integration files, including interpreting and implementing new regulations and policies.
• Oversee administrative functions for retirement and healthcare savings plans, including audits, filings, documentation, and regulatory compliance.
• Plan, organize, and prioritize multiple operational and strategic benefits activities.
• Conduct and review data reconciliations, audits, configuration checks, and utilization reporting across internal and external systems.
• Provide project ownership and support for Open Enrollment, annual renewals, vendor file updates, and other critical initiatives.
• Participate in benchmarking, survey responses, process improvement efforts, and governance support activities.

Benefits

• medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare
• health savings account and flexible spending account
• basic and voluntary life insurance
• disability coverage
• accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages
• legal and identity theft coverage
• retirement savings plan
• wellbeing program
• discounted WGU tuition
• flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed