Employee Benefits Manager at Association of Washington Cities

Olympia, Washington, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

16 Jan, 26

Salary

141163.0

Posted On

18 Oct, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Benefits Administration, Supervisory Experience, Customer Service, HIPAA Compliance, Project Management, Communication Skills, Team Leadership, Problem Solving, Data Management, Financial Knowledge, Training and Development, Organizational Skills, Microsoft 365 Proficiency, Presentation Skills, Diversity and Inclusion, Time Management

Industry

Government Relations

Description

Description Association of Washington Cities (AWC) is recruiting a full-time Employee Benefits Manager to join our dynamic and customer orientated team. Founded in 1933, AWC is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, which provides a wide array of services to all 281 cities and towns in the State of Washington. AWC builds connections between our state’s diverse cities and towns, while providing our members with the support needed to thrive through delivery of data-driven education, nationally recognized pooling programs, and nonpartisan advocacy. Membership is voluntary, and we are proud that AWC maintains 100% participation. AWC is a vibrant, fast-paced organization supported by 70 employees who are passionate about serving our members. We have a diverse team with subject matter expertise in various areas. The AWC Employee Benefit Trust (AWC Trust) is a member service of the Association of Washington Cities and is Washington’s premier local government benefit pool for cities, towns, and other local governments. The AWC Trust provides a broad selection of benefit insurance options and health management programs for members. Summary: This position manages the daily operations of the contracted AWC Employee Benefit Trust (Trust), providing leadership of the health benefit operations staff, member advocacy, and management of the administrative vendor. Key duties include working closely with assigned staff in providing excellent customer service, monitoring member inquiries, and supplying ongoing training and development of staff that are providing technical assistance to member employers, their employees, COBRA participants, retirees, and service providers. AWC welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. We value the unique views, backgrounds, experiences, expertise, and potential of all our employees. We are committed to following our core values of collaboration, equity, innovation, integrity, and respect. Compensation and benefits: Salary The full salary range for this position is $94,108 to $141,163 annually. The top candidate’s placement within the range will typically fall between the minimum and 25th percentile of the range, depending on education, training, experience, and other conditions consistent with AWC policy. A compensation market analysis is completed every other year. As outlined in policy, AWC employees generally receive an annual adjustment based on market and economic changes, and an increase based on meeting full performance expectations. Health insurance AWC pays 100% of the medical premium for employees and 90% of the medical premium for spouse/domestic partner and child(ren) up to age 26. Dental and vision insurance are 100% employer-paid for employees and eligible dependents. Retirement benefits For every $1 an employee contributes toward their 401(k), AWC matches the contribution with $1.20, up to 10% of the employee’s base salary, subject to IRS thresholds. Employer match can also be applied towards eligible student loan payments. Paid leave Four hours of paid vacation leave in the first year of employment for every semi-monthly pay period, with vacation accrual increasing over time; four hours of paid sick leave for every semi-monthly pay period; 11 paid holidays and two floating holidays each year. Additional benefits Basic life insurance and disability insurance; employer-funded Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) ranging from $770 to $1,980 based upon enrollment in the medical insurance plans; access to outstanding performance awards and tuition assistance; and staff appreciation events. This position is eligible to telework on certain days of the week, subject to approval and as determined by AWC. Recruitment closes on November 10, 2025, at 5:00 pm. What you’ll be doing: Manage the overall direction and strategic plan implementation for the Trust’s operations and recommend program changes to the Program Director for consideration by the Board of Trustees. Supervise and lead a team of four to coordinate, delegate, and assign duties to achieve goals stated in annual work plan; monitor responsiveness and work quality, and address performance and process concerns as needed. Demonstrate thorough understanding of benefit programs; advise and oversee team in providing response to inquiries from routine to complex benefit eligibility issues, as well as technical assistance and resolution. Assist in the administration of all benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, long term disability, employee assistance program, and long-term care; lead the administration of tax-favored accounts. Lead regular vendor meetings with the Trust’s billing-enrollment-eligibility and tax-favored account vendors; monitor follow-through on tasks, track items requiring resolution, manage projects through completion. Follow HIPAA and security policies to handle, protect, and store sensitive data, reporting any security issues immediately; ensure employee benefits team complies with HIPAA. Identify issues to be presented to governance and advisory groups for decisions of program offerings, and other subjects of concern; prepare required materials for discussion and present information as requested at the appropriate meetings Manage all aspects of the annual EBAC and Board election process and deliver orientation for newly elected members. Write, advise, and proofread the content for all Trust’s operations and program-related communications. Provide staffing for various events of the organization as directed. Collaborate with the Deputy Director to maintain continuity of operations and decision-making in the Program Director’s absence. Incumbent will travel to trainings and events; overnight stays are expected to exceed 30 nights per a year. Requirements: 5 years’ experience in benefits administration or work with a multi-employer association or non-profit organization. 2 years’ experience in a supervisory position or demonstrated ability. Bachelor’s degree in a related field; experience may be substituted year-for-year for academic achievement. HIPAA privacy training. Must maintain a Washington State driver’s license in good standing. What you bring to the team: Comprehensive knowledge of benefits—including deductibles, co-insurance, co-pays, prescription formularies, as well as federal and state healthcare laws and regulations, HIPAA privacy and security requirements, and principles of human resources and labor relations. Ability to establish creditability and manage confidential and time sensitive material. Experienced in leading teams, offering clear vision and direction, and motivating members to find creative ways to enhance tasks and results. Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and prioritize multiple diverse work tasks for self and others, and to make effective decisions and act independently when managing and coordinating assigned duties. Proficient in Microsoft 365 office products and have the ability to learn and use a wide variety of proprietary software. Skilled in delivering presentations to a variety of large and small groups. Knowledge of basic math, accounting, and finance practices. Possess strong communication skills, articulates clearly both with the written and spoken word. Skilled at leading and managing projects. Ability to work cooperatively with staff, members and other groups and individuals. Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactive management of personal bias. Working conditions: The incumbent may work irregular hours and may begin and end work beyond the normal workday when necessary. ?Position requires teamwork and relationship building with staff in other departments, which includes a substantial number of in-person meetings. Employees are expected to be present in the office on a regular basis as needed for fostering leadership, maintaining strong team connections, and supporting effective collaboration and decision-making. Work is performed primarily in an office setting and is sedentary in nature with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Incumbent must be able to lift and carry objects up to 30 pounds at times. Work may involve standing for long periods, stooping, repetitive motions with hand, wrist and fingers. Driving an automobile is necessary, incumbent may spend prolonged periods in a vehicle. To request reasonable accommodations in the application process, please email recruiting@awcnet.org. AWC is looking for people who can help us achieve our mission and vision, not just check the boxes. If you’re excited about this role and interested in supporting local government, we encourage you to apply. You might just be the right candidate for this role or other roles at AWC! All offers of employment are contingent to authorization for employment in the United States, criminal background check, reference checks, and required education/credential verification. Information obtained from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but may be considered. All AWC employees must work in Washington state, unless explicitly preapproved by the CEO to work in Oregon or Idaho. AWC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity on our team. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, as required by federal, state, and local laws.

Responsibilities

Manage the daily operations of the AWC Employee Benefit Trust, providing leadership and ensuring excellent customer service. Supervise a team, oversee benefit program administration, and collaborate with vendors and governance groups.