We're Hiring!

Title: Benefits Administration Specialist, Human Resources
VP Area: VP of Strategy and Chief of Staff
Department: Human Resources
Position Compensation: $60,000 - $70,000
Location: University Campus - St. Paul, Minnesota

Who We Are:
Northwestern is a faith-driven community, UNWavering in our Christ-centered principles and identity as those who profess faith in Jesus. Rooted in the unshakable foundation of God’s Word and our calling to impact His world, our mission and vision flow from these core values, expressed through Christ-centered higher education at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul and through gospel outreach and faithfulness with Northwestern Media.

Position Summary:
The Benefits Administration Specialist is responsible for the administration, compliance, and day-to-day management of employee benefits programs, including health and welfare plans, retirement programs, leave administration, Workers’ Compensation, unemployment, and disability management. This role ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, supports ADA accommodations, and provides high-quality service to employees and leadership. This position serves as part of the benefits team under the Human Resources department leadership.

Key Responsibilities:
• Administer employee benefits programs, including health and welfare plans, disability benefits, employee tuition grant and the 403(b) retirement plan, ensuring accurate enrollments, life event processing, and timely annual open enrollment activities.
• Administer federal, state, and company leave programs (e.g., FMLA, ADA, state-specific leaves) by tracking eligibility, documentation, pay accuracy, and coordinating with managers to ensure consistent and compliant leave practices. Manage short and long-term disability claims in collaboration with insurance carriers. Manage and track unemployment claims.
• Manage disability and Workers’ Compensation claims from initial report through resolution, partnering with carriers, providers, managers, and employees, while monitoring lost time, return-to-work status, and trends to support safety and cost control efforts.
• Lead and monitor the ADA interactive process, partnering with employees and management to evaluate and implement reasonable accommodations, and maintain compliant, confidential medical records.
• Serve as a primary resource for employee benefits, leave, and accommodation inquiries, providing guidance, resolving issues, and supporting benefits education and communication initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations (including COBRA, ACA, HIPAA, ERISA, FMLA, ADA, Workers’ Compensation, and related laws impacting benefits, leave, payroll, taxes, and HR practices), supporting audits, maintaining accurate HRIS, leave and disability records and benefits data, and preparing required reporting. Support the monitoring of changes to employment laws impacting all HR practices.
• Identify and support process improvements to enhance compliance, operational efficiency, data accuracy, and the overall employee experience across benefits, leave, disability, and accommodations functions.
• Perform other duties as requested or assigned.

Because our community is a significant part of our mission and the development of our students and listeners, all employees serve as ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ by actively partnering with the University to disciple students as they grow intellectually and spiritually, and with Northwestern Media to lead people to Christ and nurture believers to maturity in their faith.

Qualifications:
Required:
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience) with a minimum of 3 years of progressive experience in benefits and/or leave administration.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience interpreting and applying federal and state leave laws (e.g., FMLA, ADA, CFRA, Workers’ Compensation) and employee benefits regulations (ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA) with a demonstrated ability to manage cases accurately and in compliance.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience administering employee benefit programs, including reviewing and interpreting Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs), plan documents, and vendor contracts, and effectively communicating benefit provisions to employees.
• Minimum of 2 years of hands-on experience using HRIS and leave management systems for case tracking, reporting, and maintaining data accuracy at a 98% or higher level.
• Maintain a growing, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, reflect His character in all interactions, and faithfully uphold and embrace Northwestern’s mission, Doctrinal Statement and Declaration of Christian Community

Nice to Have:
• Experience supporting a multi state employer.
• Experience managing Workers’ Compensation, unemployment, and ADA accommodations.

Key Skills:
• Independent & Teamwork: Capable of working both independently and collaboratively, with minimal supervision to build and maintain positive working relationships and collaborative engagement across teams. Flexible, adaptable and comfortable navigating change.
• Confidentiality: Maintains discretion and handles sensitive information appropriately.
• Organizational Skills: Strong time management and problem-solving abilities; able to prioritize and meet deadlines with attention to detail. Strong skill in prioritization and task management.
• Technical Proficiency: Intermediate to advanced computer skills and experience, including Microsoft Office, HRIS & Leave Management Systems, and other data driven software.
• Written & Verbal Communication: Strong writing, editing, proofreading, and verbal communication skills. Excellent conflict resolution ability.
• Background Check: Must pass initial and ongoing background checks as a condition of employment.

Work Environment:
The work environment involves working for a suburban, Christian university or Christian owned and operated radio station alongside those with a demonstrated commitment and personal relationship with Jesus Christ, a commitment to the mission and values of Northwestern, and an agreement to abide by all Northwestern policies.

All applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States as we are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa. 

Northwestern's Benefits Overview