Manager, Benefits and ADA Administration at InsideHigherEd

Job Title: Manager, Benefits and ADA Administration Location: Kennesaw, Georgia Regular/Temporary: Regular Full/Part Time: Full-Time Job ID: 290830 About Us Are you ready to transform lives through academic excellence, innovative research, strong community partnerships and economic opportunity? Kennesaw State University is one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. With growing enrollment and global reach, we continue to expand our institutional influence and prominence beyond the state of Georgia. We offer more than 190 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to empower our 47,000 students to become thought leaders, lifelong learners, and informed global citizens. Our entrepreneurial spirit, high-impact research, and Division I athletics draw students from throughout the region and from more than 100 countries across the globe. Our university's vibrant culture, career opportunities, rich benefits, and values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability make us an employer of choice. We are part of the University System of Georgia. We are searching for talented people to join Kennesaw State University in our vision. Come Take Flight at KSU!Location Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Our Marietta campus is located at 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.Work expectation for this role is to be in person, predominantly on the Kennesaw campus with occasional work from the Marietta campus.Job Summary The Manager of Benefits and ADA Administration is an operational leader responsible for oversight of the institution's campus implementation and optimization of employee benefits programs, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and alignment with organizational goals. Manage the Benefits team to ensure appropriate interaction with vendors and University System of Georgia resources as well as proper facilitation of enrollment processes, issue resolution, and adherence to policies and procedures. Serve as a subject matter expert in benefits operations and ADAA administration, providing guidance to HR team members and support to employees on accommodation and benefit-related matters.Responsibilities KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Responsible for analyzing and directing all functional-related activities within the area of employee benefits, providing prioritization of time and resources2. Build and maintain a strong functional team of benefits practitioners through effective recruiting, training, coaching, and team building, mentoring the Benefits staff to foster a culture of continuous improvement and service excellence3. Oversee the workforce accommodation process ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) and establishing best practices for eligibility, determining reasonableness, and facilitating the interactive process4. Oversee leave of absence, establishing best practices and developing consistent and effective processes5. Coordinate with the HR Business Partner team to align leave and ADA compliance with Employee Relations issues 6. Act as the case advisor on complex ADA and LOA situations7. Collaborate with Payroll, Legal, and other departments to ensure seamless integration of related benefits processes8. Serve as a strategic advisor to senior HR leadership9. Responsible for ensuring processes and procedures on benefit plans and leave of absence are documented and updated10. Ensure compliance with all applicable policies, laws, and regulations governing benefits and related systemsRequired Qualifications Educational RequirementsBachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related fieldRequired ExperienceFive (5) years of progressive HR experience with at least three (3) years benefits administration, preferably in higher education or a complex organization.Preferred Qualifications Additional Preferred QualificationsPHR/SPHR, SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP or other relevant certificationPreferred Educational QualificationsAdvanced degree from an accredited institution of higher educationPreferred ExperienceExperience managing a teamExperience data-drive decision makingExperience with leave and ADA administrationKnowledge, Skills, & Abilities ABILITIESAbility to research and apply legal parameters and practices for leave and ADA administrationAble to handle multiple tasks or projects at one time meeting assigned deadlinesAble to adjust quickly to changing priorities and conditionsAble to influence and negotiate effectivelyAble to handle multiple tasks or projects at one time meeting assigned deadlinesAble to maintain objectivity and confidentialityKNOWLEDGEExperience with benefit plan administrationGeneral knowledge of industry specific practices and federal regulationsKnowledge of University System of GA benefit plans a plusSKILLSExcellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem solving, independent judgment, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, project management and presentation skillsProficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position (i.e., Microsoft Office suite)Strong attention to detail and follow up skillsStrong customer service skills and phone and e-mail etiquette Strong aptitude for balancing a need to be self-directed and take responsibility to move projects forward with discernment for seeking guidance on HR regulatory requirements and task complexitiesUSG Core Values The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.Equal Employment Opportunity Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community.For additional information on this policy, or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, students, employees, applicants for employment or admission or other third parties should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 225, [email protected] Check Standard EnhancedEducationPer the University System of Georgia background check policy, all final candidates will be required to consent to a criminal background investigation. Final candidates may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. Applicants for positions of trust with screeningresults which confirm a disqualifying criminal history will be immediately disqualified from employment eligibility.All applicants are required to include professional references as part of their application process. Some positions may require additional job-based screenings such as motor vehicle report, credit check, pre-employment drug screening and/or verification of academic credentials.https://www.usg.edu/hr/assets/hr/hrap_manual/HRAP_Background_Investigation_Employment.pdf