About the Department:

To support the University mission through the development and implementation of policies, programs, and practices that attract, retain, and reward faculty and staff.

About the Position:

The Benefits Analyst administers employee benefits, leave, and retirement programs, established by the Commonwealth of Virginia, within federal, state, and university guidelines, communicates with employees, investigates and resolves complex benefits-related issues amongst multiple healthcare and retirement plans, and collaborates with Payroll and other university departments and external vendors. This position also conducts Benefit program and reconciliation audits, and facilitates learning sessions.

This position is expected to work from the Fairfax campus at least two days per week.

Responsibilities:

Benefits Administration

• Administers employee benefits programs, including multiple group health, dental, life, disability, and other programs offered at George Mason University to faculty and staff;
• Interprets various plan designs and documents to relevant parties;
• Advises and informs faculty and staff employees of the details of the university’s benefits programs;
• Navigates death benefits of employees and retirees, works with family to determine survivor benefit eligibility, coordinates with vendors, and supports family members with clarity and compassion;
• Coordinates and/or leads outreach and educational programs (e.g., pre-retirement seminars, open enrollment, EAP);
• Resolves benefits-related issues and responds to queries and requests within 24 hours;
• Maintains and creates records, reports, and documentation following federal, state, and provider regulations; and
• Provides follow-up as needed to employees, university partners, and vendors. \

Employee Extended Absence Management 

• Advises employees on Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Virginia Sickness & Disability Program (VDSP) eligibility, military leave, and benefits;
• Coordinates all Family Medical Leave (FMLA), VSDP, military leave, and long-term disability actions between employees, departments, and external vendors and relevant parties; and
• Informs employees of anticipated or active changes to their benefits. 

Retirement Management 

• Communicates and processes employee retirements for both faculty and staff;
• Coordinates and delivers pre-retirement presentations to eligible employees, providing clear guidance on available options and next steps;
• Analyzes and compiles data from university and state systems to determine employee retirement eligibility and applicable retirement plans;
• Administers the university’s incentive retirement program, ensuring eligibility criteria are met;
• Advises and explains the university’s retirement benefit plan policies, procedures, and legal requirements to eligible employees and beneficiaries, such as life insurance, health insurance, retirement fund payouts, health insurance credit, applying for Medicare, perks, and privileges;
• Conducts one-on-one consultations, both in-person and virtually, to guide employees and beneficiaries through the retirement process, including benefit options and required documentation;
• Assists employees with completing and submitting retirement documents, including the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) online application;
• Collaborates with state, third-party vendors, and internal HR representatives to gather information, resolve benefits-related issues, and ensure accurate plan administration;
• Inputs retirement-related data into university and state systems to ensure seamless transitions for retiring employees;
• Administers benefits to all retirees and dependents under the Optional Retirement Plan;
• Liaises with financial institutions to verify and compile data for the administration of retirement benefits, as needed;
• Maintains accurate records of retirees and beneficiaries, ensuring data integrity and compliance with applicable policies and regulations;
• Maintains knowledge and understanding of university retirement policies, benefit plan offerings, and financial documentation requirements to provide informed guidance;
• Interprets financial data to support accurate retirement plan administration;
• Works closely with employees over extended periods to ensure all retirement documentation is submitted timely and correctly;
• Delivers exceptional customer service with empathy and patience, supporting employees through a potentially complex life transition; and
• Organizes and maintains employee retirement data for easy access and reference. 

Workers’ Compensation 

• Communicates and processes workers’ compensation inquiries and claims;
• Reviews and stays updated on extended and long-term cases;
• Submits claims to the state’s 3rd party claim administrator within required timeline;
• Assists the 3rd party administrator with gathering data and documentation for claim investigations and administration;
• Serves as the university’s point of contact for state agencies, medical providers, and 3rd party vendors related to workers’ compensation cases; and
• Coordinates leave actions in conjunction with workers’ compensation cases. 

Compliance and Data Analysis

• Develops procedures to administer benefits in an efficient and compliant manner aligned with industry best practices;
• Creates standard operating procedures and checklists for benefits team processes;
• Prepares reports and presentations for HR leadership on benefits program performance, utilization, and trends;
• Researches and notifies leadership of updates and changes to Benefits programs, laws, and incentives;
• Develops a full-cycle comprehensive communications plan to inform and educate prospective and current employees about George Mason University’s benefits plans;
• Creates marketing and communications relevant to open enrollment and end-of-year requirements (e.g., FLSA spending, retirement account contributions);
• Assists with all benefits-related system maintenance and testing as needed due to system patches, upgrades, and/or plan modifications/additions/deletions;
• Provides accurate and timely management of the bi-weekly and semi-monthly payroll files, reports, and other tasks relating to each payroll cycle, including auditing and validating deduction calculations and file setup;
• Audits published communications and websites to ensure accuracy and relevance; and
• Prepares reports for the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), Directors, Managers and others as needed and requested. 

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Considerable progressive experience in benefits administration in a large organizational setting (typically three or more years);
• Knowledge of commonly used concepts, practices and procedures as it relates to benefits administration;
• Working knowledge of healthcare, disability, and retirement plans, employee benefits administration and programs;
• Working knowledge of state and/or federal regulations, policies, and/or procedures (e.g., FMLA, ADA, STD);
• Demonstrated organizational skills, attention to detail, and commitment to quality customer service;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate potentially detailed and complex information to others;
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, including creating PowerPoint presentations and data entry, reporting, and visualization in Excel;
• Aptitude and willingness to work with complex procedures;
• Ability to exercise initiative, independent judgment and common sense;
• Ability to demonstrate ownership of areas of responsibility with an aptitude to anticipate and pro-actively execute tasks while identifying areas of enhancement, efficiencies, and solutions as needed;
• Ability to handle confidential data and personal situations with empathy, professionalism, discretion, and tact;
• Ability to research problems, apply analytical techniques, and follow through on issues to resolution;
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with others in a hybrid setting, including the ability to work successfully and respectfully with colleagues from diverse backgrounds;
• Ability to perform work effectively under pressure, facilitate solutions, and meet deadlines and milestones for projects assigned;
• Commitment to professional growth and development; and
• Service orientation with an ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with university employees and external vendors and business partners.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in a related field;
• Experience working in a higher education environment;
• Experience with at least 1,000 employees and multiple Benefit programs and healthcare plans; 
• Experience working with Human Resources Information Systems (such as Ellucian Banner);
• Working knowledge of Medicare and available resources to assist with participant inquiries; and
• Proficiency in Spanish.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Benefits Analyst (Compliance and Data) at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent with Resume for review.

The University will be closed from December 23, 2024 - January 5, 2025 for Winter Break.  Application review will begin  on January 8, 2025.

Posting Open Date: December 12, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  January 8, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes