Human Resources Division Director, Benefits Administration & Employee Support Services (Human Resources Department)

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree. A minimum of six years of professional human resources experience to include supervisory experience in employee benefits administration, contract administration of employee benefit Requests for Proposals (RFP) and/or overseeing benefit plan providers or vendors is required. Possession of Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) certification or Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) certification is highly desired.

Recruitment Notes

Miami-Dade County's Human Resources Department is seeking an experienced strategic and innovative leader who will direct the Benefits Administration and Employee Support Services Division to ensure that benefit experiences are effective, comprehensive, and meets the needs of Miami-Dade County's 30,000 employee workforce and its retirees. Miami-Dade County aims to maintain benefits programs that enable it to have a competitive position in the job market. The incumbent will work under the general direction and supervision of the Human Resources Director. To be effective in this role, the Division Director must have strong professional acumen, unwavering integrity, communication skills, and have the ability to develop and maintain collaborative and effective partnerships with various stakeholders such as the County's leadership, unions, elected officials, consultants, and vendors.

General Responsibilities:

• Oversee staff of approximately 30 clerical, administrative and professional staff.

• Direct the administration of contracts for a self-funded Point of Service (POS) medical plan; various HMO medical plans, various dental plans (PPO and DHMO enriched and standard); one vision plan; group term life and Optional Life Program; Internal Revenue Code Section 125 Cafeteria Plan which includes Health Care and Dependent Day Care Spending Accounts and Flex Dollars; Group Disability Plans (Short-term and Long Term); 457 (b) Deferred Compensation Plans; Group Legal Plan; Benefit Consulting Services and Deferred Compensation Plans. The incumbent will ensure that these programs are in compliance with all guidelines, federal and state regulations, County Resolutions and Ordinances, and Miami-Dade County's policies procedures and contracts.

• Manage Human Resources projects related to the coordination, development and implementation of policies and procedures for Miami-Dade County's employee insurance benefits and the Florida Retirement System (FRS) defined benefit and defined contribution plans and other benefits related plans such as a post-employment retirement plans.

• Develop census data and prepare Requests for Proposals (RFP's) to secure proposals/bids for various benefit plans within Miami-Dade County's procurement guidelines and policies. Evaluate proposals, negotiate contract provisions and make recommendations to management. Coordinate with the actuary to develop cost information for plans and make premium cost share recommendations to management.

• Develop insurance plan changes, analyze insurance benefits data and project trends.

• Develop and lead major benefit initiatives from strategy, planning, design, and implementation that align with the County's overall business strategies. Recommend benefit plan and system changes to leadership.

• Lead the evaluation of services available through insurance and investment companies to determine programs best in line with the needs of the County.

• Collaborate with various stakeholders and County leadership to gain consensus regarding long-term health and wellness strategy.

• Oversee Miami-Dade's Employee Assistance Program (EAP), a confidential service available to Miami-Dade employees, and their eligible family members and dependents, which focuses on assisting those whose personal problems are affecting their ability to function on the job, at home or in society.

• Oversee the Employee Recognition and Engagement Program which coordinates with the Mayor's Office to execute employee recognition programs and appreciation events such as Employee Engagement fairs, county-wide initiatives and events, and vendor related open enrollment activities.

• Oversee the Employee Wellness Programs which encompasses planning and programming events that support employees' overall well-being, including but not limited to biometric screenings, wellness fairs, 5K events.

• Liaise with the Florida Retirement System (FRS) to ensure that contribution rates are updated in a timely manner and errors are corrected promptly to minimize penalties for inaccurate reporting.

• Other responsibilities as requested by management.

Compliance Responsibilities

• Ensure County's benefit programs are consistently administered in compliance with policies and government and County regulations through appropriate audits and review of reports. Supervise preparation of reports and applications required by law to be filed with agencies, such as the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor, insurance commissioners, and other regulatory agencies.

• Ensure internal control oversight and compliance with laws and regulations, safeguarding of assets, compliance with County and other government policies and procedures, reliability of internal and external reporting, and efficiency and effectiveness of operations. Create an effective control environment, conduct risk assessment, implement and monitor controls.

• Review and analyze changes to state and federal laws pertaining to benefits and report necessary or suggested changes to management.

• Coordinate benefits with government-sponsored programs. Monitor and analyze impact of health care reform, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), and ensure compliance of plan documents and processes with all applicable regulations.

• Promptly revise administrative procedures of various benefit programs to comply with updated/revised IRS regulations, changes in laws and County Commission directives.

• Ensure that business processes with third party vendors are streamlined and consistent with best business practices.

Operational Responsibilities

• Direct day-to-day Benefits Division operations, to include review of system benefits setups, processes and streamlining of administrative operations.

• Lead all benefit enrollment efforts, to include analysis and reporting on benefit enrollments and employee and retiree participation. Work with the County's communication team to lead the development of draft written communications and enrollment materials, and other media for communicating plans to employees and retirees. Ensure receipt of documents and process changes with vendors. Coordinate with plans to finalize plan documents and certificates of coverage for employees and retirees.

• Conduct employee meetings, plan, and implement all phases of annual benefits enrollment for employees and retirees. Facilitate the enrollment of newly eligible employees in plans.

• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure that benefits are properly set-up in the Enterprise Resources Planning System.

• Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the County's policies and applicable laws to include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing and resolving problems.

• Lead plan document re‐writes and amendments with actuaries, attorneys, plan administrators and appropriate County representatives in timely manner.

• Participate in benefits-related meetings with union partners.

Qualifications

Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree and a minimum of six years of professional human resources experience to include supervisory experience in employee benefits administration, contract administration of employee benefit Requests for Proposals (RFP) and/or overseeing benefit plan providers or vendors is required.

Possession of Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) certification or Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) certification demonstrating HR/ Benefits functional knowledge is highly desired.

Competencies, Skills, and Areas of Expertise

• Demonstrated success leading Benefits Administration, Wellness or Employee Support activities in a large, diverse, complex organization.

• Exceptional team building and development skills with the ability to develop and upskill staff.

• Impeccable record and leader of unquestionable integrity and ethics.

• Demonstrated ability and experience to work collaboratively with elected officials, executive leadership, unions and the public.

• Proven track record of results-oriented leadership, working independently and collaboratively with all stakeholders, both internal and external.

• Strong emotional intelligence, problem solver and clear communicator, in both oral and written form.

• An astute coalition builder who is aware of the environment and can quickly build trust, garner support and execute quickly in an impactful manner.

• Demonstrated experience participating in, facilitating, and leading complex planning processes.

• Ability to develop and manage a budget and work within the constraints of that budget.

• Ability to establish department goals and objectives that support and align with the strategic plan.

• Knowledge of workforce trends and the impact of innovation and technology on the provision of benefits administration.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Miami-Dade County offers a hybrid work schedule and fringe benefits that include paid vacation, sick leave, parental and bereavement leave, 13 paid holidays, three floating holidays, one birthday holiday,

medical, dental, and life insurance, contributory membership in the Florida Retirement System and 50% tuition reimbursement assistance. Optional benefits include: vision, legal, and short-term and long term disability insurance, 457 pre-tax savings plan, and flexible spending accounts.

Apply online at www.miamidade.gov/jobs. For additional information, please contact Yetive Hidalgo at Yetive.hidalgo@miamidade.gov

Resumes and other information submitted in response to this advertisement are public records pursuant to Chapter 119 Florida Statutes. Hiring decisions are contingent upon results of a background check and pre-employment physical.