This position is responsible for the strategic planning, administration, and management of all University employee benefits programs, including health and welfare and retirement programs.
As a condition of employment, Duquesne University requires all new employees —full-time and part-time, including adjunct faculty—to get a COVID-19 vaccine and provide proof of their vaccination upon commencement of employment.
New employees requesting a religious or documented medical exemption from the vaccine must complete and submit a Duquesne University exemption request form for review and approval. To receive the appropriate exemption request form, contact hrservices@duq.edu. Employees with approved exemptions will be required to be tested on a regular basis.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Designs, develops, communicates, implements and maintains stewardship for university-sponsored benefits and employee wellness strategy and programming; recommends changes and best practices to health and wellness strategy/benefits/wellness in alignment with University Mission, objectives, constraints and opportunities and government requirements; recommends policy implementation and/or policy changes to enhance the employee value proposition to attract and retain top talent through a competitive total rewards package.
Assures University compliance with provisions for all federal and state regulations such as ERISA, Affordable Care Act, COBRA, HIPAA, etc.; monitors provider compliance to insurance contracts to maximize provider services.
Manages all benefits-related vendors, carriers, brokers, and consultants and serves as liaison between employees and benefit providers for problem resolution while maintaining effective utilization of plans, using utmost discretion with confidential information, proper interpretation of policies and procedures and positive employee relations.
Hosts periodic reviews with health plan and retirement plan vendors to analyze utilization and trends.
Makes recommendations for timely plan changes or other strategies that may need to be addressed.
Designs, composes, maintains, and coordinates all employee communications for enrollment processes including new hires, open enrollment, Benefits Fair, workbook, enrollment process, COBRA, and other Benefits Office forms.
Administers the enrollment and administration of the 403(b) and 457(b) retirement programs and associated services and informational sessions; creates opportunities to update and engage employee community regularly regarding opportunities and regulatory changes.
Oversees the administration of the short- and long-term disability, FMLA, workers' compensation and the student health insurance programs.
Plans and organizes employee training seminars on various issues to all levels of University employees including wellness initiatives, new employee orientations, flexible spending accounts, retirement plan enrollment, retirement plan allocations and retirement planning.
Serves as chief liaison to university community for communication of all benefit discussions, articles, web pages, portal information.
Serves on department, division, and University committees; serves as liaison to insurance carriers, retirement vendor, and wellness and EAP partners.
Leads, manages, and motivates a team of benefit professionals, including staff performance and opportunities for professional development; provides guidance and training to staff regarding counseling to employees on benefit, retirement, and wellness programs.
Assists benefits broker with developing and preparing the benefits budget and oversees budget for Benefits and Wellness.
Completes other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Supervises work of others, including planning, assigning, scheduling and reviewing work, ensuring quality standards. Is responsible for hiring, terminating, training and developing, reviewing performance and administering corrective action for staff. Plans organizational structure and job contents.

REQUIREMENTS:
Minimum qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Communications, or closely related field of study from an accredited institution and 8 years of progressively responsible experience.
Prior experience with budget development and management.
Preferred qualifications:
MA/MS/MBA from an accredited institution with higher education benefits administration experience leading the overall strategy preferred.
Experience as lead benefits director in similar higher education setting may substitute for Master’s Degree.
Certified Employee Benefits Specialist Program (CEBS) Certification upon hire preferred.
PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP Certification upon hire preferred.
Certified Benefits Professional upon hire preferred.
Alternately, the successful candidate may possess any equivalent combination of experience and training, which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the essential job functions. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Considerable knowledge of federal and state law as they pertain to cafeteria-style employee benefit plans, retirement plans, social security, and labor union welfare plans.
Knowledge and past experience with benefits strategy, design, and implementation.
Highly organized and detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple priorities within established deadlines.
Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills with strong customer service-orientation.
Ability to use discretion working with confidential information.
Highly proficient with technology and open to new and innovative technology; familiarity with Banner, Bswift, and Omni CMS is highly desirable.
Strong analytical skills and understanding of HRIS structure, functions, and processes.
Ability to lead, manage, and motivate staff.
Commitment to the value of continuing education and learning.
Commitment to the University’s values of diversity, equity and inclusion, and recognition of the importance of treating each individual with dignity and respect consistent with the University’s Mission. Demonstrated experience with, and understanding of, the broad diversity of the University community (students, faculty, staff and others).
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the University Community.
Ability and willingness to contribute actively to the mission of the University and to respect the Spiritan Catholic identity of Duquesne University. The mission is implemented through a commitment to academic excellence, a spirit of service, moral and spiritual values, sensitivity to world concerns, and an ecumenical campus community.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.
Catholic in its mission and ecumenical in spirit, Duquesne University values equality of opportunity as an educational institution and as an employer. We aspire to attract and sustain a diverse faculty and staff that reflects contemporary society, serves our academic goals and enriches our campus community. We particularly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups and support dual-career couples through our charter membership in this region's HERC (http://www.hercjobs.org/oh-western-pa-wv/).
We invite applicants for this position to learn more about our university and its Spiritan heritage by visiting http://www.duq.edu/about/mission-and-identity/mission-statement. Those invited to campus for an interview may be asked about ways in which they see their talents contributing to the continued growth of our community and furthering its mission.
Duquesne University was founded in 1878 by its sponsoring religious community, the Congregation of the Holy Spirit. Duquesne University is Catholic in mission and ecumenical in spirit. Motivated by its Catholic identity, Duquesne values equality of opportunity both as an educational institution and as an employer.