Summary

Within the Division of Human Resources, directs and coordinates the planning, implementation, and administration of the University's various benefits programs to include employees, retirees, and student insurance procurement and compliance, employee services, and strategic initiatives, ensuring cost-effectiveness, market-competitiveness, and consistency with the University's overall mission, goals, and objectives. Manages a diverse team of professional, technical, and support staff.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Manages the evaluation, planning, and administration of the University's various employee and retiree benefits programs; assesses effectiveness of programs in meeting overall strategic objectives, and oversees the development and implementation of changes and improvements to benefits programs, as appropriate. Manages student medical insurance request for proposal process and regulatory compliance.
2. Directs, oversees, and quality controls the development of benefits proposals, negotiations with insurance carriers and external contractors, and administration of contracts or other agreements involving employee and retiree benefits.
3. Oversees the day-to-day administration of contracts or other agreements involving employee and retiree benefits; oversees in the development of RFP's and the review of vendor proposals.
4. Responds to and resolves employee concerns regarding university benefits programs; advises, approves, or denies exception requests.
5. Ensures that development and execution of administrative policies governing employee and retiree benefits are in compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations.
6. Serves on and provides consultation to designated committees as appropriate in order to maintain open communications with faculty, staff, health-care providers, insurance carriers, and other constituent groups.
7. Informs, gives advice, and counsels management on trends and current developments in the field of employee, student and retiree benefits programs.
8. Leads and functionally supervises assigned professional and management staff, to include work allocation, training, and problem resolution; provides performance management feedback as appropriate.
9. Participates in development, implementation and maintenance of policies, objectives, short-and long-range planning; develops and implements projects and programs to assist in accomplishment of established goals.
10. Develops and manages annual operating budgets.
11. Represents the organization at various community and/or business meetings, committees, and task forces; promotes existing and new programs and/or policies.
12. Works with defined contribution vendors to develop and maintain plan documents.
13. Represents UNM on Educational Retirement Act legislative issues.
14. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree; at least 7 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
• Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures.
• Ability to develop, plan, and implement short- and long-range goals.
• Knowledge of community outreach practices.
• Ability to plan, assess, and evaluate programs.
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
• Knowledge of budget preparation, cost estimating, monitoring, and fiscal management principles and procedures.
• Ability to analyze problems and develop creative solutions to complex human resource issues.
• Ability to prepare formal procurement solicitations in compliance with University business policies and the New Mexico state procurement code.
• Ability to negotiate and manage contractual arrangements.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, methods, and techniques in area of specialty.
• Knowledge of contemporary principles of human resource management and public personnel practices.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of public sector employee benefits policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Knowledge of customer service standards and procedures.
• Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments.
• Ability to analyze problems and develop creative solutions to complex employee and/or student benefits issues.
• Ability to supervise and train employees, to include organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.
• Ability to provide professional and management staff development and performance feedback.

Conditions of Employment

• Employees in this job title are subject to the terms and conditions of an employment contract. Employment contracts are typically subject to review and renewal on an annual basis.
• Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• No or very limited physical effort required.
• No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

The University of New Mexico provides all training required by OSHA to ensure employee safety.

Revised Date: 09/23/2020