Who we are:
The Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) represents over 117,000 members and nearly 400 locals across the state and employs a full-time staff of over 160. Our members are public school teachers, faculty, professional staff, and education support professionals working at public schools, colleges, and universities. As a member-driven organization and the largest union in New England, our collective power makes MTA an influential voice for educators, students, and their communities. We are proud to be an advocate for social, racial, and economic justice and for a public education system that provides one of the cornerstones of a democratic society.
Employee Benefits Manager
Reporting to the Director of Human Resources, the Employee Benefits Manager develops, implements, administers, and maintains all benefits programs, policies, and procedures. The Manager will counsel employees on benefits related issues and administer and manage the day-to-day operations of the Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution retirement plans and all the health and welfare insurance programs.
Salary: $90,000 - $125,000
Essential Responsibilities:
- Manage and administer all employee benefit programs.
- Ensure compliance with applicable government regulations. Ensure timeliness and accuracy of required reporting.
- Coordinate daily benefits processing. Handle new enrollments, COBRA, terminations, changes, beneficiaries, disability, accident and death claims, rollovers, QDROs, QMCSOs, distributions, and compliance testing.
- Counsel employees on all leave-of-absence requests and ensure the submission of disability paperwork for medical, family, disability, and other federal and state leave programs.
- Responds to benefits inquiries from managers and employees on plan provisions, benefits enrollments, status changes and other general inquiries.
Key Job Responsibilities:
- Oversee the creation, administration, and maintenance of all employee benefits files, benefits billing, and invoicing, as well as maintain the benefits database and update employee payroll records, including all qualifying life events.
- Prepare annual Defined Benefits Pension Plan Census by collecting and organizing data for actuarial assessments. Review data in conjunction with actuarial valuation.
- Design and distribute materials for benefits orientations, open enrollment, and Summary Plan Descriptions.
- Explains Define Benefits and Defined Contribution retirement benefit plan policies, procedures, and legal requirements to employees and beneficiaries.
- Acquires and distributes relevant information and documentation to all plan participants and beneficiaries.
- Develops and maintains records of participants and beneficiaries including active, deferred, retired, and terminated vested participants.
- Coordinates with actuaries, plan administrators, accountants, and other professionals to provide verified and compiled data for administration of benefits.
- Ensures the accuracy of all benefits enrollments in ADP to provide vendors with accurate eligibility information.
- Performs required periodic self-audits on all plans.
- Manage and administer the tuition reimbursement program.
- Ensures the organizations and plans compliance with the applicable local and federal program provisions of COBRA, HIPAA, and ERISA.
- Partner with Finance and Accounting on Employee Benefit administration
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to clearly explain all benefits and retirement plan options in easily understood terms.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Thorough understanding of ERISA laws, regulations, and agency interpretations or opinions related to employee benefits and retirement benefits.
- Advance proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field required or equivalent experience.
- At least five (5) years of experience with managing and administering Defined Benefits and Define Contribution retirement plans, all health and welfare insurance benefits.
- SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP desired, CEBS highly desired.
Physical Requirements:
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
- May need to work nights to attend retirement plan committee.
*MTA reserves the right to waive any qualifications at its discretion*
The MTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all staff..