Hr manager – benefits and wellness

Ensured Consideration Date: July 15, 2026

Michigan Technological University is an R1 technological research university founded in 1885 in Houghton. Our rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's scenic Upper Peninsula and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Research focus areas include defense, health, energy, automotive, environment, and aerospace.

The area’s waters, forests, and snowfall support year-round recreation, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, and paddling. The University is an integral part of the region, supported by a friendly and welcoming community that takes pride in being a true college town. We embrace our size, climate, sense of adventure, and originality.

Summary

This position will lead the daily administration and execution of our health, welfare, and retirement programs. It will manage HRIS benefits data, audit billing, oversee leave administration (FMLA/ADA), and execute the annual open enrollment process. Additionally, will serve as a primary point of contact for employee benefits inquiries and oversee the workplace wellness initiatives. This role requires strong technical execution, data accuracy, and a customer-service approach to employee support. This position serves on the departmental leadership team. This position is posted as in person, hybrid or fully remote.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

1. Translate strategic goals into actionable benefits and wellness programs, managing everything from initial rollout to ongoing employee participation.
2. Manage the daily operations of all health and welfare programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and retirement plans.
3. Own the annual Open Enrollment process from start to finish, including building portal configurations, auditing elections, and processing data files.
4. Directly coordinate leave management programs, processing FMLA, ADA, short-term/long-term disability, and paid parental leave requests with precision and empathy.
5. Act as the daily operational point of contact for insurance brokers, wellness vendors, and retirement plan administrators.
6. Audit monthly vendor invoices for accuracy, resolve billing discrepancies, and ensure timely data integrations (EDI feeds) between our HRIS and carriers.
7. Maintain meticulous data integrity within our HRIS benefits modules, regularly auditing employee records and eligibility status.
8. Execute mandatory filings, testing, and reporting requirements, including distribution of ACA 1095-C forms, Form 5500 preparation, and HIPAA-compliant record keeping.
9. Review provided monthly claims utilization and enrollment data to track plan performance and identify trends.
10. Serve as the accessible, go-to resource for employees navigating complex claims issues, coverage questions, or life events.
11. Serve as the Chair for various benefit related committees.
12. Draft and distribute clear, engaging educational materials, newsletters, and guides that help employees get the most out of their benefits.
13. Supervise assigned HR staff, set team goals, oversee daily activities, and foster staff development to ensure operational effectiveness and effective customer service.
14. Serve as a departmental leader providing guidance, direction, and oversight of processes to ensure adherence and assist with troubleshooting.
15. Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in university continuous improvement initiatives.
16. Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).

Required Experience

5+ years of progressive experience in HR, benefits administration, or total rewards management.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• CEBS (Certified Employee Benefit Specialist) or SHRM-CP/SCP certifications are preferred.
• 1 year of team supervision, preferably in benefits

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Advanced, hands-on proficiency in managing and configuring benefits modules within HRIS platforms
• Mastery of Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables, data cleaning) to audit carrier invoices, reconcile billing discrepancies, and track utilization data.
• Demonstrated skill in processing and managing complex FMLA, ADA, and disability claims from initial request to return-to-work.
• Ability to draft clear, engaging, and jargon-free employee communications, benefit guides, and wellness articles.
• Skill in planning, launching, and hosting interactive workplace events, such as health fairs, open enrollment webinars, etc.
• Deep understanding of federal, state, and local benefits regulations, including ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, and Section 125 regulations
• Comprehensive understanding of how medical (PPO, HDHP/HSA), dental, vision, life, and 401(k) retirement plans operate from an administrative standpoint.
• Thorough knowledge of the legal intersections between the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and short/long-term disability.
• Up-to-date knowledge of holistic wellness practices, mental health support models, and digital wellness vendor landscapes.
• The ability to catch minor data discrepancies, billing errors, or eligibility mismatches across large data sets.
• The ability to handle sensitive employee medical situations and personal crises with high confidentiality, compassion, and professionalism.
• The ability to independently investigate and resolve complex carrier claims issues or technical system glitches.
• The ability to patiently listen to employee concerns and clearly explain complex benefit information to individuals with varying levels of understanding.
• The ability to remain organized and meet strict compliance and payroll deadlines while managing a high volume of daily employee inquiries.
• The ability to effectively lead committees and find ways to keep them purposefully engaged.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons with a wide variety of backgrounds and viewpoints.

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.

Required University Training:

• Employee Safety Overview
• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
• Annual Data Security Training
• Annual Title IX Training

Background Check:

Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) % (1=100%)

1

FLSA Status

Exempt

Appointment Term

12 months

Pay Rate/Salary

The minimum salary for this position is $80,000. The final salary will depend on experience and qualifications.

Title of Position Supervisor

Chief Human Resources Officer

Posting Type

Internal & External

Dependent on Funding

No

Additional Information

Full ensured consideration will be given to applicants who apply on or before July 15, 2026.

This position is posted as in person, hybrid or fully remote.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or accommodations during Michigan Tech’s hiring process please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or hr-help@mtu.edu.

Other Conditions of Employment:

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. Michigan Tech will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the Michigan Tech Public Safety.

In compliance with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) and its implementing regulations (34 CFR Part 86), Michigan Tech is committed to maintaining a drug-free campus environment and actively promoting the health and safety of its community. Find our notice that outlines the University's policies, legal sanctions, health risks, and available support resources related to the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.