Senior Benefits Administrator

The Senior Benefits Coordinator is responsible for the accurate and effective application of benefits and leaves arrangements for eligible individuals as per the plan design parameters, ensuring clear and concise communications and data integrity of the related processes. In addition, the Senior Benefits Coordinator is the escalation point for benefit and absence issues and provides day to day functional oversight to support the delivery of services for campus stakeholders. In collaboration with the Director, HR Operations & Systems, participates in special projects to ensure effective, efficient, and compliant processes and practices are developed and maintained; contributes to the achievement of HR departmental goals and professional services delivery.

Maintain awareness of legislation, regulations, and standards related to absence management and benefits administration to ensure compliance within area of responsibility
Participate in industry groups, networking with peers to gain insights into trends as well as arrangements of comparable entities
Participate in professional development to aid in ongoing knowledge and skills acquisition
Oversee and support the effective execution of day to day operational processes related to the effective and accurate administration of Benefits Arrangements
Support benefit administration processes related to the employment lifecycle, handle escalated issues and identify issues if applicable
Responsible for the oversight of administration of the Group Benefits program (Life, LTD, Extended Health, Dental, EFAP), including but not limited to the following:
identify issues and work with colleagues within HR and vendor to resolve
Manages life insurance claims processing for employees and retirees; prepares letters to beneficiaries and assists with claims submission requirements
Responsible for the administration of other employee benefits arrangements (including Staff vacation, sabbaticals, vacation exchange programs, temporary reduced workload/reduced workload to retirement, deferred salary), including but not limited to the following:
Ensure entitlements are provided accurately in accordance with eligibility criteria and other established plan design parameters and policy provisions
Administer Staff (regular and temporary) vacation accruals and adjustments, special arrangements, and terminations/retirements within the HR/Payroll system (Workday); Process special arrangements including the management of employee records within the HR/Payroll system (Workday) for approved reduced workload, vacation exchange, and regular recurring and irregular part-time Staff employees, and the corresponding communication requirements
Collaborate with other HR teams to identify challenges with existing functionality and/or test new functionality required to administer benefits
Key resource for campus stakeholders to provide advice and guidance that complies with University policy, procedures, and applicable legislation related to various absence and benefit processes
Administration of sick leave and long-term disability claims volumes as required
Determine eligibility to sick leave salary continuance benefits and long-term disability
Provide guidance and education to internal HR partners, management, employees, and union representatives on sick leave and claims processes, including short-term sick leave, LTD and accommodations
Maintain an accurate database of medically verified employee absences, including detailed notes and documentation of communication actions taken on claims
Verify disability payments are accurate based on eligibility and entitlement
Ensure all parties involved with an employee’s absence understand the current status including eligibility for benefits, medical documentation requirements, anticipated or planned return to work dates, and any limitations or restrictions
Facilitate the completion and submission of timely applications for long term disability benefits and submit early referrals to third party LifeWorks for assistance with managing employees’ absences
Coordinate case management activities for leaves of absences (maternity/parental, bereavement, compassionate care, unpaid leaves, other ESA leaves, temporary work stoppage and on a backup basis, sick leave) to ensure employees are well supported and that the Payroll team receives accurate and timely information relative to eligible payments, including but not limited to the following:
Ensure timely application of accurate commencement and end dates for absences in the HR/Payroll system (Workday) and issuance of benefit letters
Communications with employees to indicate any impacts to other benefits including pension accruals and contributions
Collect and process pension waiver forms (or the application of default), administer Pre-authorized Debit (PAD) forms or post-dated cheques, plus application of eligible payments
Collaborate with other HR teams to identify challenges with existing functionality and/or test new functionality required to administer leaves of absences / absence management

Communication of Benefits and Corresponding Administration to all Stakeholders
Provide effective customer service and support to other areas of HR and the University community for area of responsibility; Document, and maintain administrative procedures and work instructions for absence and benefit processes
Support special projects and initiatives as required
Liaises with HR colleagues as required to ensure understanding of current arrangements
Participates in HR cross functional review of processes and procedures to support benefits and absence impacts including engagement in employee orientation processes
~ A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in a Human Resources role, with exposure to absence management and benefits administration. Proven track record of achievement and success providing quality customer service, and excellent data management and quality control
~Experience with Workday or other in-house payroll system
~ Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook) and Adobe

Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations .
The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at or .
Original job Senior Benefits Administrator posted on GrabJobs .