Benefits Supervisor

Under the direction of the Benefits Manager, the Benefits Supervisor supervises and coordinates the daily activities of Benefits Analysts responsible for the research, calculation, verification, and processing of disability, survivor, and applicable reciprocal claims. The Benefits Supervisor leads the Survivor and Disability functional area and will be expected to cross train in the Retirements, and Member Accounts and Refunds functional areas to support those leaders during peak times. The position serves Illinois public educators as they earn their promised retirement security.

Responsibilities

Supervise, develop, coach, train, and evaluate assigned Benefits staff; Direct and coordinate daily workflow within the assigned functional area, including assigning and balancing workloads, monitoring productivity, and ensuring production and service deadlines are met; Monitor the accuracy, quality, and timeliness of work performed by Benefits Analysts and provide technical guidance and corrective direction; Serve as a technical resource to Benefits staff regarding applicable pension laws, rules, policies, procedures, and internal controls; resolve routine and moderately complex issues and escalate significant matters to the Benefits Manager; Implement established policies, procedures, internal controls, and approved process changes; identify improvement opportunities; Review and verify claims, recalculations, and other work prepared by Benefits Analysts and perform difficult or time-sensitive calculations; Coordinate recurring Benefits activities and operational projects, including Mandatory Distribution Research, questionnaires, and reporting requirements; Monitor and coordinate timely completion of Daily Action Reports; Assist with testing and implementation of approved system enhancements and serve as liaison between Benefits staff and Information Technology; Participate in cross-functional project teams and provide Benefits subject matter expertise; Assist in identifying staff training and development needs and provide technical or operational training; Work closely with the Benefits Manager and Benefits Leaders to promote consistent application of policies and procedures; Perform other duties as required or assigned

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business administration, Communications, Education, or a related field is required OR four (4) years of progressive experience in lieu of a degree; Five (5)+ years of experience in public pension fund member services or pension administration management; One (1)+ year in a supervisory or team lead/senior role; Builds and manages effective teams by providing effective coaching and delivering constructive feedback; Demonstrated time management and priority setting skills; Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously; Excellent written and verbal communication skills; Ability to analyze information logically with excellent judgement and decision-making skills; Ability to find alternative solutions to problems; Working knowledge of Agile principles and Scrum methodology as well as internal controls

Nice to have

Experience in a public pension plan preferred; Cross-training in the Retirements and Member Accounts and Refunds functional areas

Benefits

Comprehensive State of Illinois benefits program including medical, dental and vision coverage; Participation in the TRS retirement pension plan; Option to contribute to additional State of Illinois deferred compensation plans