Benefits Manager

University of the Pacific

United States, California, Stockton

3601 Pacific Avenue (Show on map)

Aug 08, 2025

Posting Details

Position Information

Job Title	Benefits Manager
Union Level
Department	Human Resources
Campus	Stockton
Posting Number	201304126P
Full or Part Time	Full Time
Number of Months	12
Work Schedule	Duties performed during standard business hours, additional time may be required to meet business needs or deadlines. Travel to distance campuses and required meetings and/or trainings.
Position End Date
Open Date	08/07/2025
Close Date
Open Until Filled	Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants	For Applicants Seeking Job Opportunities within the University Internal: Internal applicants will be considered within the first five (5) business days of the posting period. External: External applicants will be considered on the sixth (6) business day of the posting period.
Sponsorship	This position is not eligible for a visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Position Summary Information

Primary Purpose	The Benefits Manager is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing employee benefits programs that align with University goals, ensure regulatory compliance, and remain competitive in the market. This role manages the full scope of benefits operations, including health, welfare, retirement, wellness, and leave programs.
Essential Functions	Strategic Planning: Develop and execute long-term benefits strategies that align with organizational goals and support talent attraction and retention. Lead and manage initiatives related to benefit program design, ensuring strategic alignment with organizational goals. Program Oversight: Oversee the administration of health, welfare, retirement, leave of absence, and wellness programs to ensure compliance, cost-effectiveness, and employee satisfaction. Advise university leadership on potential improvements to benefit offerings and develop actionable plans to optimize program effectiveness. Subject Matter Expert ( SME): Guide, advise and coach both the benefits team and broader HR Team to ensure consistent compliant support is provided to all employees. Serve as a key resource to the broader HR department, addressing complex benefits-related queries and issues. Vendor Management: Select, lead the negotiation, and manage relationships with benefits providers, brokers, and consultants to optimize value and service. Compliance: Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, FMLA, COBRA). Continuously monitor changes in benefits-related legislation and implement adjustments to maintain regulatory compliance. Financial Stewardship: Monitor benefits budgets, analyze costs, and recommend cost-containment strategies without compromising program quality. Employee Experience: Develop communication strategies to educate employees on benefits programs and enhance overall engagement. Lead the planning and execution of the university's annual open enrollment process, including organizing Benefits Fairs and other educational events on all campuses. Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop the benefits team, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture. Collaborate with leadership to promote positive relations across all campuses, supporting organizational unity and employee morale. Data & Reporting: Manages and coordinates benefit and retirement audits as well as 5550 filings. Manages all functions necessary for electronic data transmission to and from vendors; including HRIS, benefit platforms and others. Utilize analytics to evaluate program performance, track trends, and provide insights for continuous improvement. Other duties as assigned. University of the Pacific recognizes that diversity, equity, and inclusion is foundational to the success of our valued students and employees. We prioritizes policy and decision-making that demonstrates awareness of, and responsiveness to, the ways socio-cultural forces related to race, gender, ability, sexuality, socio-economic status, etc. impede or propel students, faculty and staff. This position serves as Campus Security Authority ( CSA) as outlined by the Clery Act. CSAs have federally mandated responsibilities to report crimes that are reported them.
Minimum Qualifications	Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field. Five (5) years of progressive experience in benefits management. Three (3) years of experience as a supervisor.
Preferred Qualifications	Master's Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field. Certification in Benefit Administration. Seven (7) years of progressive experience in benefits management. Deep knowledge of benefits regulations and compliance requirements. Strong analytical, negotiation, and vendor management skills. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization. Demonstrated knowledge and ability of strategic planning, program evaluation, design, and implementation. Proficient in performing cost benefit analysis, reconciling and administration. Strong working knowledge of ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, retirement plans and the ability to read and interpret plan documents. Ability to conduct research, summarize findings and develop recommendations. Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office and extensive knowledge of excel working with complex spreadsheets and data bases. Experience working with Human Resources systems, Banner strongly desired. Positive attitude, proven ability to work successfully with diverse populations and demonstrated commitment to promote and enhance diversity and inclusion. Experience and sensitivity in working with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures. Demonstrated experience in advancing social justice, equity, and inclusion in a university setting. Ability to engage and integrate culturally responsive practices and knowledge in their work.
Physical Requirements	The physical demands described here are representative but not definitive of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Duties require extended periods of sitting, keying on a computer with repetitive hand/wrist motion. Occasional to frequent standing, walking. Infrequent climbing of stairs. Ability to lift up to twenty five (25) pounds. Work Environment/Work Week/Travel: Work is primarily performed in a standard office environment with the use of computer, phone and office equipment. Duties performed during standard business hours, additional time may be required to meet business needs or deadlines. Travel to distance campuses and required meetings and/or trainings. Valid driver's license required. Incumbent must also be able to meet the University's fleet rules and be eligible to drive for University business. The University and its insurance carrier reserves the right to exclude applicants based on their driving record.
Hiring Range	$73,710 - $85,000 per year. We consider factors such as, but not limited to, scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, internal equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.
Background Check Statement	All applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment are required to execute a release and authorization for a background screening. AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: University of the Pacific complies with California Assembly Bill 810, requiring candidates accepting conditional job offers to disclose any final administrative or judicial findings, ongoing proceedings, allegations, resignations under investigation, or appeals related to sexual harassment or misconduct within the past seven years.
Anti-Discrimination/EEO Policy Statement	University of the Pacific is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to workforce diversity across backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints. Pacific does not unlawfully discriminate in its hiring of faculty and staff, or in the provision of its employment benefits to its faculty and staff on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, sex/gender, marital status, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, or mental or physical disability, or other legally protected characteristics or combination of such characteristics. While we strive to attract a broad and representative pool of candidates, all hiring decisions are made based on merit, selecting the most qualified individual for each position.