Benefits Specialist, Retirement Programs (GMHEC)

This position is being posted on behalf of the Green Mountain Higher Education Consortium (GMHEC). Middlebury College is not the hiring entity but works closely with the consortium and is only facilitating the sharing of this position. Candidates can apply through this website or directly at GMHEC. Any inquiries can be directed to Martha Fidalgo at martha.fidalgo@gmhec.org

The Benefits Specialist at GMHEC is responsible for the management and administration of twelve retirement plans for our member institutions.  This includes compliance, plan documentation, vendor management, eligibility, employee education and customer service, business process development, and communication.  As a part of the GMHEC Benefits Team this position is responsible for providing a high level of customer service to our member institutions.

This is a hybrid role with the ability to work from home and the office in Shelburne, VT.

The Benefits Specialist, Retirement Programs responsibilities include:

Plan Management & Administration

• Serves as the administrator for the twelve retirement programs including 401(a), 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) plans 
• Assists in the operation and maintenance of the benefits module in Oracle, our human resources system
• Maintains current and historical documentation and records 
• Ensures reconciliation of accounts and activities with systems of record including payroll, benefits and retirement vendors
• Perform regular audits of benefits data to ensure integrity and to confirm that programs are being administered according to plan guidelines.  Interact with retirement vendors, human resources, legal, finance, payroll and technical system support to ensure all benefit plans are set-up and functioning properly within human resources systems and vendor systems
• Works collaboratively with payroll and Oracle support shared services team members

Compliance

• Ensures compliance with ERISA, DOL, IRS, HIPAA, and other regulations as applicable
• Updates and maintains all required documents (SPD, plan documents, etc.)
• Manages and executes compliance projects such as nondiscrimination testing, audits, Form 5500 preparation, and summary annual report distribution in coordination with our member institutions
• Conducts regular contribution reconciliations, eligibility reviews, and hours-worked assessments,   Processes and communicates corrections and adjustments to ensure compliance with plan documents, ERISA and IRS regulations
• Responds to governmental and institutional audit requests
• Informs the colleges’ Human Resources and Finance teams and their  Retirement Plan Committees of statutory and regulatory changes that affect the plan management.  Makes recommendations for plan design and administrative changes in response to evolving compliance requirements.

Employee Support

• Provides direct benefits customer service support to employees (future, current and past) through our service center
• Answers questions from recruits, employees and former employees

Knowledge of:

• Retirement plan compliance and administration
• Payroll and benefits software
• General accounting principles
• Internal Revenue Service and other federal and state regulations related to reporting, taxation and compliance 
• Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Adobe Acrobat
• HR information systems such as Oracle (preferred) or Workday

Ability to:

• Organize and prioritize work, meet deadlines,  take initiative, resolve problems and manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously
• Recognize several likely causes of events, analyze relationships among several parts of a problem or situation and formulate a multi-step response if required
• Build strong, positive relationships with external and internal contacts in a remote/hybrid work environment
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Manage and analyze financial data accurately
• Maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive information with discretion
• Independently achieve results and responsibly self-direct work.

Education and Experience:

• A bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, finance or related field
• 5-8 years of benefits management experience with a concentration in Retirement Plan Administration 
• PHR or SPHR a plus; CBP or CEBS a plus

The successful completion of a criminal background check is required as a condition of employment.

The Consortium does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, religion, age, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, veteran or military service status, HIV -positive status, qualified disability, or on the basis of any other status protected by law and does not discriminate in the administration of its employment practices or other Consortium-administered programs. The Consortium will make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified applicants for employment or employees. Please contact the Executive Director at 802.443.2304 if auxiliary aids or services are needed to apply for employment at the Consortium.

The Consortium is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse community. Recognizing that diversity is both a reflection of our world and a source of rich education, the Consortium strives to be diverse and inclusive in ways that reflect the world in which we live and work. All members of the Consortium community are valued as individuals.

The Consortium seeks candidates who, through their work and life experiences and service to the community can contribute to the diversity, inclusivity and customer service excellence of the Consortium. Please include information about how you would contribute to these efforts and help to further this goal in your cover letter.

The Green Mountain Higher Education Consortium, located in northern Vermont, was founded by Champlain College, Middlebury College and Saint Michael's College in 2013. The Consortium aims to help its members to lower costs, increase the quality of services and add strategic value to our members.

The Consortium and its members strive to leverage shared technology, create the best processes and service our organizations. With the creation of a Shared Services organization, we are committed to building an infrastructure that supports each College's strategic plan and allows for the addition of new members.

We provide a meaningful benefits program including health, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement with a generous match, paid time off and a well-being program. This position provides a unique learning and career growth opportunity in an innovative environment.