Pension & Benefits Advisor

Job summary

The Pension and Benefits Advisor provides consultation and advice to faculty and staff regarding benefit and pension plan offerings, enrollments, and life events. They also oversee the integrity of benefit plan entitlements and manage pension plan administration in accordance with federal and provincial regulations.

Job details

This position has a term length of 2 years from the date of hire. Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person. Work primarily takes place at Enterprise Square, Edmonton. Do you enjoy working in a collaborative environment, believe in service excellence and have a strong background and passion in Pension & Benefits Administration? Then we invite you to apply and become part of our team. Reporting to the Manager, Benefits and Employment Services, the Pension and Benefits Advisor is primarily responsible for providing timely and critical support and advice to faculty and staff and overseeing the integrity of benefits plan entitlements and reporting. The Pension and Benefits Advisor ensures that employee benefit and pension plans enrollments, changes and terminations are completed in a timely and accurate manner and that employees are provided with advice, consultation and education about the benefit and pension offerings available to them and their families. The Pension and Benefits Advisor is also responsible for administering the University’s defined benefit (PSPP, UAPP) and defined contribution (ASRP, EDCSRP) pension plans in accordance with federal, provincial, and plan regulations. RESPONSIBILITIES * Provides consultation, education, and advice to employees on benefit program offerings, plan costs, election options, enrollment, change and termination processes and procedures, family eligibility, coordination, and other specialized benefit-related questions. * Reviews and manages the daily event maintenance and open enrollment processes within the Benefits Administration module, including daily reports to ensure employees have made the right selection to enroll in initial benefits upon hire, rehire, promotion or transfer. * Enrolls employees in optional benefits (supplemental health, optional coverages, etc.) upon receipt of completed forms. * Meets with individual employees to process benefit changes related to significant life events affecting the employee, such as retirement and termination. * Works with the Leave Administrators to provide advice and assistance to employees when life events impact benefits such as maternity and parental leave, partial leave, illness leave, vacation leave, recurring term inactive period, long-term disability, termination, layoff, reduced duties leading to retirement and retirement. * Prepares premium calculation costs for employees wishing to pre-pay benefits while on an unpaid leave of absence. * Consults with 3rd party benefit providers and employees to resolve and clarify issues regarding coverage and claims. * Administers and maintains annual benefit programs such as academic child care, student declarations, health spending account and personal spending account allocations. * Works with Functional Analysts to define business and reporting requirements, set up and maintain benefit and pension plans and design PeopleSoft HCM processes and system functionality. * Manages member termination & retirements in 3rd party pension enrollment systems (Ben Plus/EOS) for UAPP (Universities Academic Pension Plan) and PSPP (Public Service Pension Plan). * Coordinates with Pension Specialist to review, validate and update data for year-end pension reporting in accordance with plan deadlines. Reviews benefit rate and program table changes, and performs testing to ensure rate changes and setup meets expected business requirements. QUALIFICATIONS * Completion of a related post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree. * Human Resources Management certificate, diploma or degree and/or Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), Pension Plan Administrator (PPAC), or equivalent designation(s) and experience are desirable. * Two to four years of experience working with benefit and pension plans in a large, unionized employer is desirable. * Experience with UAPP, PSPP, LAPP or other defined contribution pension plans is required. * Experience with PeopleSoft HCM (Base Benefits, Benefit Administration, Payroll for North America, PS Query) is an asset. * Exemplary client service, focused on demonstrating a genuine concern for understanding client needs and meeting or exceeding client expectations. * Strong verbal and written communication skills required to share feedback and address concerns respectfully and constructively. * Cooperative and productive workstyle, working with diverse teams and clients to achieve desired results. * Approaches challenges and opportunities with creative solutions to problems and offers detailed, well-articulated explanations. * Strong planning and organizational skills, managing time and resources effectively to achieve results and identify critical tasks, effectively focusing on workload priorities while working within strict deadlines. Preferred Qualifications * Knowledge of U of A HR policy, collective agreements, and legislation. * Experience in post-secondary or unionized environments. * Strong communication and customer service orientation. Application Instructions Click "Apply Now" to submit your cover letter and resume. This position is subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the Governors of the University of Alberta and the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA). This position offers a comprehensive benefits package [https://www.ualberta.ca/en/human-resources-health-safety-environment/benefits-and-pay/benefits-and-pension/benefits-overview/index.html]. The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs and research stations are primarily located on the territory of Néhiyaw (Cree), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, Nakoda (Stoney), Dene, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Anishinaabe (Ojibway/Saulteaux), lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7 and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide. Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people - from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more [https://www.ualberta.ca/en/careers.html]. At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted. All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns. The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply. L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes de toute orientation sexuelle ou identité et expression de genre; et toutes les personnes qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler. Shared Services [https://www.ualberta.ca/en/university-services-operations-finance/portfolio/shared-services/index.html] is a close-knit community of smart, approachable people who collaborate, exchange knowledge and identify solutions. Our team of experts problem-solves by collaborating with Centres of Expertise (centres providing strategic expertise and specialized services in specific functional areas), faculty and staff in order to see the whole end-to-end process and find a solution that works for the entire community. We provide advice, guidance and leadership in process, quality and accuracy. Shared Services is a highly educated, integrated team that provides service excellence in delivering and innovating the diverse catalogue of services we are responsible for. Ultimately, we create a human, positive experience when it comes to problem-solving. The staff who are joining Shared Services can expect to feel empowered in the service they provide and look to grow their careers with critical thinking, relationship building and ongoing learning opportunities.

What you’ll do

The Pension and Benefits Advisor provides consultation and advice to faculty and staff regarding benefit and pension plan offerings, enrollments, and life events. They also oversee the integrity of benefit plan entitlements and manage pension plan administration in accordance with federal and provincial regulations.

Requirements

Candidates must have a post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree, with a Human Resources or benefits-related designation being desirable. Two to four years of experience with benefit and pension plans in a large, unionized environment is required, along with proficiency in PeopleSoft HCM.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package
• Pension plan

Listed skills

• Data Validation · Preferred
• Reporting · Preferred
• Customer service · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred
• Problem solving · Preferred
• Time management · Preferred
• Regulatory Compliance · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Pension administration
• Benefits administration
• PeopleSoft HCM
• Consultation
• Data validation
• Reporting
• Client service
• Communication
• Organizational skills
• Problem solving
• Time management
• Regulatory compliance
• Benefit enrollment
• Leave administration
• Influencing Skills
• Organizational Skills
• PeopleSoft Applications
• Benefits Enrollment Processes
• Planning
• Research
• Benefits Administration
• Business Requirements
• Calculations
• Certified Employee Benefit Specialist
• Customer Service
• Critical Thinking
• Finance
• Leadership
• Human Resource Management
• Psychology
• Problem Solving
• Knowledge-Based Systems
• Legislation
• Operations
• Public Service
• Relationship Building
• Safety Training
• Time Management
• Environment Health And Safety
• Coordinating
• Diversification (Investing)

Job areas

• Human Resources
• Administrative
• Education
• Finance & Accounting
• Pension Benefits Analyst
• Director of Compensation / Benefits
• Human Resource Managers
• Compensation and Benefits Managers

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