Benefits Manager

Position Title Benefits Manager Work Location West Valley College, Saratoga, CA (with occasional meetings at Mission College, Santa Clara, CA) Start Date September 2026 About the District West Valley-Mission Community College District is one of the largest employers in Santa Clara County, with more than 1,525 faculty and staff and a budget exceeding $135 million. The district enrolls over 17,000 students across two colleges and offers a supportive workplace culture that values diversity, integrity, and professional excellence. Benefits Salary up to $183,593 annually (Administrative Salary Schedule, Range 11, Step H) Additional compensation: $2,000 for a doctorate added to base salary, prorated monthly Employer‑contributed medical, dental, and vision for employee, spouse, and/or dependents Employer‑paid long‑term disability for employee Employer‑provided life insurance 14 paid holidays, plus 1 floating holiday annually; paid non‑workdays between Christmas and New Year 22 days vacation leave accrued annually (25 days after 5 years) 12 days sick leave accrued annually Personal necessity leave and personal business leave Professional development and renewal leave $1,000 longevity award annually after 10 years of service and $1,500 longevity award annually after 15 years of service CalPERS retirement Minimum Qualifications Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in benefits administration, with 2 years in supervisory roles; experience must include vendor management, regulatory compliance, and developing benefit options from start to completion. Equivalent of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in human resources, business administration, or a related field. Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver’s license. Understanding of and sensitivity to the diverse academic, socio‑economic, ethnic, religious, cultural, disability, and sexual orientation backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff. Desired Qualifications Strong knowledge of health, dental, vision, life, disability, and voluntary benefits, including retirement and post‑retirement benefits such as CalPERS and CalSTRS. Knowledge of leave of absence programs (paid and unpaid) and eligibility rules, enrollment life events, and coordination of benefits. Experience with cost‑sharing structures, planning funding models, and contribution strategies; ability to design benefits that are competitive, sustainable, and aligned with organizational goals. Strong working knowledge of federal regulations (ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA) and state and education‑specific requirements. Proficiency with HRIS systems and Microsoft Office products; ability to analyze data and manage budgets. Ability to select and evaluate insurance carriers, brokers, TPAs, and leave administrators; resolve escalated vendor issues; and streamline operations using technology. Examples of Duties and Responsibilities Lead the design and execution of health, welfare, and leave of absence programs to ensure alignment with district strategic and operational goals. Analyze and update benefits programs to reflect market trends and district objectives. Interpret and apply complex regulations, including ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, COBRA, and California Education Code. Select and manage third‑party insurance providers, brokers, and administrators, ensuring successful achievement of business objectives. Lead annual enrollment processes, developing communication strategies and system updates. Act as a subject matter expert, resolving complex benefits issues and educating staff and retirees on benefit packages. Streamline benefits administration processes and utilize HRIS software for efficient tracking. Manage day‑to‑day administration of all employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, and other offerings. Oversee open enrollment, implement new programs, enhance systems, and support broader initiatives. Conduct audit, assessment, and payment of health and welfare invoices; reconcile vendor premiums monthly. Ensure compliance with absence management regulations and board policies. Prepare and deliver reports on benefits and absence data to senior leadership. Develop and execute multi‑platform communication strategies to engage employees and retirees. Collaborate with Payroll, Finance, Legal, and other teams to ensure seamless benefits operations and compliance. Advise employees and retirees on sensitive or complex benefits questions, including absence plans. Build and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers, other district employees, and the public. Promote an environment of diversity, integrity, trust, and respect. Perform related duties as assigned. EEO Statement West Valley‑Mission Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer that seeks to employ a diverse workforce who will contribute to an inclusive and welcoming educational and employment environment. The District is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of ethnic group identification, race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, physical disability, mental disability, genetic information, ancestry, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, language, accent, citizenship status, transgender status, parental status, marital status, economic status, military or veteran status, and medical condition consistent with applicable federal and state laws. #J-18808-Ljbffr