Benefits Plan Manager

The Committee of Interns and Residents/SEIU Benefits Plan, a nonprofit trust fund located in Long Island City, is currently seeking a Plan Manager. The Plan Manager, under the direction of the Board of Trustees, is responsible for overseeing the administration and operation of four (4) benefit plans for the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR); including the House Staff Benefits Plan (HSBP), Voluntary Hospitals House Staff Benefits Plan (VHHSBP), the Professional Education Plan of the Committee of Interns and Residents (PEP), and the Patient Care Trust Fund. The Plan, focused primarily in the New York metropolitan area, provides member benefits to approximately 9,000 unionized resident physicians, interns and fellows. The CIR Benefits Plan (Plan) is looking for a highly driven, self-motivated and member-focused candidate for the Plan Manager position. The Plan Manager reports directly to the Board of Trustees of the various funds and coordinates work between the different funds as they support members across the union.

The Plan Manager is responsible for overseeing and managing the day-to-day operations, strategic planning, financial matters, technical structure, and organizational administration of the Funds in accordance with all respective Trust Agreements and Plan Documents adopted by the Trustees. The Plan Manager serves as the liaison between the Trustees, Plan Professionals, Contributing Employers, Local Union and other Plan Administrators and must interact collaboratively with members of the Benefits team, participants, employers, the Union, professional advisors, Trustees and colleagues at all levels both inside and outside the various organizations. The new hire will ensure the Plan is in compliance with all Employee Retirement and Income Security Act (ERISA), IRS, Federal, State and City requirements and Department of Labor regulations and requirements. The Plan Manager will adopt the same Union principles to supervise the function of the department. This individual will collaborate with the Union on priorities such as the Values-Based Organizing Fund.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include but may not be limited to:

• Administration of Plans: Oversee and manage the day-to-day operations of the Plans and Plan Office to ensure financial and operational accuracy and compliance; Manage, motivate, and develop members of the Benefits team; Oversee annual enrollment initiatives; Establish and monitor Plan Office policies, procedures, and standards to ensure a high level of professionalism and accuracy of service to members and employers; Promote a positive image of the Plan on behalf of the Boards of Trustees; Network regularly with colleagues in the union, the industry and professional organizations to stay abreast of recent events and current trends in the industry that could impact the Plan. The Plan Manager will adopt the same Union principles to supervise the function of the department. This individual will collaborate with the Union on priorities such as the Values-Based Organizing Fund.

• Strategic Planning: Guide the strategic initiatives of the Trustees in the business planning process and expansion of the funds; Recommend strategic direction, priorities, and long-term goals for Benefits Plans and programs; Develop and implement short and long-term goals and objectives of the Plan; Track and analyze trends.

• Ensure adequate systems and technology: Oversee all aspects of technology used in the administration of the Plan; Work with the Technology team to ensure adequate systems, technology and staff are maintained to support the Plan’s recordkeeping, processing, and customer service needs; Work with IT to establish and enforce procedures and controls to secure Plan Office technology and data.

• Communication: Communicate regularly with the Board of Trustees, special committees, union, employers, members, professional advisors, vendors and governmental agencies; Develop and execute clear and comprehensive communications inclusive of compliance-related materials and new or enhanced benefit programs and policies.

• Compliance: Ensure compliance with statutory and governance requirements, policies, procedures, rules and regulations; Ensure completion of all required filings and annual reporting requirements (e.g., tax-related forms, Form 5500, 990, SBC, etc.); Act as the HIPAA Security and Privacy Officer.

• Financial: Oversee all financial matters related to the administration of the Plans and the Plan Office; Prepare and manage annual operating budgets; Maintain accounting and cash control procedures to ensure adequacy and accuracy of cash flow and timely investment of monies; Review and monitor investment reports provided by Investment Advisors and Managers; Work closely with the Plans’ auditors in the preparation, review and approval of financial reports and other financial statements and in the communication of those financial reports and statements to all of the trustees; Oversee the remittance and collection process.

• Vendor Relationships: Oversee the management of vendors for all Health & Welfare programs to ensure performance expectations are achieved; Monitor all contractual agreements with outside vendors and consultants to ensure efficient and accurate execution of responsibilities; Monitor performance and quality metrics with all vendors and test metrics annually; Lead and manage quarterly and year-end vendor meetings.

• Attend Board and other meetings: Coordinate and attend all board and committee meetings; Develop all agendas for those meetings; Provide reports and keep Trustees informed as appropriate. Work with the Union and Management Trustees and plan professionals to coordinate overall direction of the funds and prepare materials for meetings and monitor deliverables.

The ideal candidate will meet the following requirements:

• Work Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of experience demonstrating increased responsibility in administration including negotiation of benefits, creation and/or analysis of benefits and vendor contracts preferably within a union or employee benefit plan environment.

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university required, preferably in business, finance, healthcare, labor, economics or other related field; advanced degree (e.g., MPA or MPH ) preferred.

• Special Skills or Credentials: Extensive knowledge of health and welfare benefit plans and related governmental/legislative regulations (ERISA, DOL, IRC, HIPAA/HITECH, ACA, PPA, etc.) including knowledge of plan designs, trends and best practices; Extensive knowledge of union negotiations specifically of health and other related benefits strongly preferred. The ideal candidate will also have demonstrated strong leadership, supervisory and judgment skills, exceptional interpersonal and communication (written and oral) skills, including the ability to interact with Trustees, employers, union leadership and members, outside professionals and service providers and have strong problem solving skills, including demonstrated ability to resolve conflicts and maintain effective relationships. Qualified candidates will be detail oriented, have strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret operational, auditing and financial information and legislative regulations and interpret such to employers and union leaders, be organized and have strong time management skills and have a thorough knowledge of and appreciation for the regulatory and political environment. Willingness and ability to work long hours and travel as needed. Hybrid work schedule. Candidates with a deep experiential understanding of labor-management relations and problem solving are encouraged to apply.

• Benefits Plan Offers: This is a full-time, salaried, overtime-exempt position. The salary range for this position is ($165,000 to $200,000) based on the candidate’s relevant professional experience and qualifications. Excellent benefits package including health, dental, and vision coverage with no employee contributions; generous paid leave time including up to four weeks’ vacation, paid holidays, personal days, and sick days; short and long-term disability insurance; 401(k); defined benefit pension plan.

To Apply

To apply, please send your resume and salary requirements along with a one-page cover letter explaining why your background and skills make you the ideal candidate for this job. Please send your resume, cover letter along with your salary requirements to: jobs@cirseiu.org with the Subject Line: Plan Manager Candidate