Western Michigan University Homer Stryker, MD, School of Medicine is hiring for a Human Resources Manager of Benefits. This position provides impactful leadership in the Benefits function. This role includes overseeing communicating, and administrating of employee benefits and related programs for Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed).

• Leads the benefits function and strategy for WMed related communications, administration, related programming and benefits labor law compliance for WMed. Benefits administration includes, but not limited to: 
  • Leading for the annual benefit open enrollment process and annual resident benefit orientation. 
  • Administering of all leaves of absence including the coordination of FMLA, disability, and PTO for each employee type.   
  • Administering of accommodations and ADA related items. 
  • Overseeing communication and HR administrative processes pertaining to insurance, non-insurance and retirement plan benefits, as well as COBRA.   
  • Functioning as liaison between employees and benefits vendors, WMed and vendors, and between employees and their supervisors on resolving benefit issues. 
  • Managing all WMed unemployment insurance claims, issues, and appeals. 
• Provide direct supervision to the Benefits Coordinator. 
• Provide direct supervision to the HR Generalist, HRIS. 
• Utilizes HR metrics to evaluate activities and assist in the achievement of overall organization goals and objectives. 
• May provide HRIS support, including routine and ad-hoc report generation.  
• May assist with employee relations, culture and engagement surveys, and workflow studies. 
• Provides benefits education and awareness to organization. 
• May serve as a Deputy Title IX Coordinator for WMed.  
• Availability to work on weekends or evenings to complete time sensitive projects. 
• Acquires knowledge for new technology and policy/procedure revisions. 
• All other duties as assigned. 

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:   

• Bachelor’s degree in HR Management, Business Administration, or equivalent, relevant work experience required. Minimum-five years of experience as a HR Generalist and a minimum of 3 years as a Benefits Administrator/Benefits Manager experience required.  
• People management experience highly preferred.  
• Broad experience with human resources functions including state and federal benefits employment law and compliance, benefits broker and vendor management, and budgeting required .

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS:  

• CEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist) certification and/or other benefits-related certifications highly preferred. 
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP preferred.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:   

•  Broad knowledge of policies and procedures, and the ability to interpret and apply as required. 
• Well-developed knowledge of human resources functions including methodologies, workflows and reporting tools. 
• Extensive knowledge of federal, state and local regulations pertaining to benefits and employment. 
• Excellent organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills.   
• Strong teamwork and collaborative skills required. 
• Ability to independently meet multiple deadlines. 
• Maintains current knowledge of employment practices and labor laws. 
• Experience with developing and delivering training to a diverse audience.   
• Must be proficient in using MS Excel and Word. 
• Must have a strong customer focus, with the ability to navigate ambiguity.  
• Must be proactive, innovative and a quick learner.         
• Must possess strong written and verbal communication skills. 
• Ability to meet travel requirements as needed.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, integrity, and work ethic.  

About Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed)

We are committed to excellence and health equity through transformative medical education, high-quality, patient- and family-entered care, innovative research, and community partnerships within a just culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Our vision is health equity for all in Southwest Michigan through innovation in the practice and study of medicine.

The medical school is a collaboration of Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo's two teaching health systems, Ascension Borgess and Bronson Healthcare. The medical school is a private nonprofit corporation supported by private gifts, clinical revenues, research activities, tuition, and endowment income. WMed is the recipient of a $100 million foundational gift and the Empowering Futures Gift, a philanthropic commitment of $300 million to support the mission of the medical school. WMed contributes to the economic vitality of Southwest Michigan through the services we provide as well as the creation of 1,600 new jobs and an annual estimated economic impact of $353 million in Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties.

WMed is fully accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education and the Higher Learning Commission. The medical school offers a comprehensive, innovative four-year Doctor of Medicine degree program and a Master of Science degree program in Biomedical Sciences. We train physicians in 10 residencies and five fellowships accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. To support our educational mission, we have Joint Accreditation for interprofessional continuing education, which incorporates accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.

WMed Health is the clinical practice of the medical school with more than 300 providers offering comprehensive primary care and specialty services in several locations throughout the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek areas. Faculty in the Department of Pathology serve as the Office of the Medical Examiner for counties throughout Michigan and northern Indiana.

The W.E. Upjohn M.D. Campus located in downtown Kalamazoo serves as the primary educational facility with student study and social spaces, team-based learning halls, faculty and administrative offices, a state-of-the-art Simulation Center accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, basic science research labs, as well as toxicology and forensic pathology labs.

WMed builds upon Kalamazoo’s century-long foundation of drug discovery and medical device development with a strategic investment in clinical, laboratory, community, and educational research. The Center for Immunobiology, Center for Clinical Research, Research Histology Lab, Innovation Center, and Human Research Protection Program contribute to the medical school’s advancement of knowledge through innovation and discovery. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer in compliance with applicable State and Federal law.