Program Manager, Benefits

Definition

To plan, organize, design, and direct the specialized activities of the district’s benefit programs including health insurance, and leaves of absence; to ensure programs are competitive, cost-effective, and compliant with laws like ERISA, while managing vendor relationships, open enrollment, and employee inquiries; and to provide highly complex staff assistance to the Executive Director, Human Resources.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives general direction from Executive Director, Human Resources.

Exercises direct supervision over assigned technical and administrative support staff.

Examples of Essential Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lead the design and execution of health, welfare and leave of absence programs to ensure they meet the district’s strategic and operational goals.   
• Design, analyze, and update benefits programs to align with district goals and market trends.
• Interpret and apply complex regulations including ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, COBRA, and California Education Code.
• Select and manage third-party insurance providers, brokers, and administrators, ensuring successful achievement of business objectives.
• Lead annual enrollment processes, including developing communication strategies and system updates.
• Act as the subject matter expert, resolving complex benefits issues and educating staff and retirees on benefit packages.
• Streamline benefits administration processes and utilize HRIS software for efficient tracking.
• Manage the day-to-day administration of all employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life and all other offerings.
• Lead key benefits projects such as open enrollment, implanting new programs, enhancing systems and supporting broader initiatives as needed.
• Oversee the auditing, assessment, and payment of health and welfare invoices; conduct monthly reconciliation of vendor premiums to ensure the District does not over or under pay.
• Ensure district-wide compliance with absence management, including state and federal regulations (FMLA, CFRA, ADA, PDL, PFL), board policies, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Compile and analyze complex benefits and absence data to prepare and deliver reports for the Executive Director, Vice-Chancellor of HR, Executive Management team, Board of Trustees and Finance.
• Design and execute multi-platform communication strategies (email, print, digital, and virtual) to educate and drive engagement among active employees and retirees.
• Work closely with Payroll, Finance, Legal and other teams to ensure seamless benefits operations and compliance.
• Assist and counsel employees and retirees on sensitive or complex benefits related questions, including absence plans.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other district employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Foster an environment that embraces diversity, integrity, trust and respect.
• Be an integral team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation and communication.
• Perform related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of

Benefits program design and administration

• Health, dental, vision, life, disability, and voluntary benefits
• Retirement and post-retirement benefits (e.g., CalPERS, CalSTRS)
• Leave of absence programs (paid and unpaid)
• Eligibility rules, enrollment life events, and coordination of benefits
• Cost-sharing structures, planning funding models, and contribution strategies
• how to design benefits that are competitive, sustainable, and aligned with organizational goals.

Strong working knowledge of complex and overlapping regulations is essential, including:

• Federal laws: ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA
• Leave laws: FMLA, CFRA, ADA, PDL, PFL
• State and education-specific requirements (e.g., California Education Code)
• Collective bargaining agreements and Board policies.

Ability to

• Analyze and interpret data, interpret surveys, and manage budgets.
• Effectively communicate with employees and stakeholders.
• Demonstrate Proficiency with HRIS systems and Microsoft Office products.
• Interpret and apply rules to real-world situations, reducing institutional risk.
• Select and evaluate insurance carriers, brokers, TPAs, and leave administrators.
• Resolve escalated vendor issues. This includes the ability to hold vendors accountable while maintaining productive partnerships.
• Use technology to streamline operations, reduce errors, and improve employee experience.

Experience and Education

Any combination of experience and education that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience

5 years of increasingly responsible experience in benefits administration, with 2 years of experience in supervisory roles. Experience to include leadership in vendor management, regulatory compliance, and developing benefit options from start to completion.

Education

Equivalent of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in human resources, business administration, or a related field.

License and Certificate

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver’s license as required by the position.

EEO Category: Executive/Administrative/Managerial

Approved Date: March 24, 2026