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HR Benefits Manager

POSITION DETAILS

The Graduate Center (GC) is the focal point for advanced teaching and research at the City University of New York (CUNY), the nation's largest urban public university. With over 35 doctoral and master’s programs of the highest caliber, the Graduate Center fosters pioneering research and scholarship in the arts and sciences and prepares students for careers in universities and the private, nonprofit, and government sectors. The Graduate Center’s commitment to research and scholarship for the public good is exemplified by its more than 30 centers, institutes, and initiatives, including its Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC), a 200,000 square-foot facility in upper Manhattan, designed to promote collaboration among scientists in five areas of global research and innovation: nanoscience, photonics, structural biology, neuroscience, and environmental sciences.

The Graduate Center (GC) benefits from highly ambitious and diverse students and alumni—who in turn teach hundreds of thousands of undergraduates every year. Through its public programs, the Graduate Center enhances New York City’s intellectual and cultural life.

The Office of Human Resources (OHR) supports a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive employee community at the Graduate Center and at its affiliated CUNY colleges and professional schools, which include Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, Macaulay Honors College and School of Labor and Urban Studies. Our comprehensive services include employee and labor relations, talent management, professional development, payroll and time and leave, benefits and wellness, compliance with emphasis on quality, effective and sustainable HR solutions.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Human Resources, the Human Resources Benefits Manager serves as the Benefits Officer for the Graduate Center and its affiliated professional schools. The incumbent administers various benefits programs and represents the college regarding pension systems, welfare funds, and insurers, etc.

All full-time and part-time CUNY staff are expected to work in-person 80% of their work time. This hybrid work schedule is subject to change.

Duties include but are not limited to:

- Administers Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Paid Parental Leave (PPL), Dedicated Sick Leave, Catastrophic Sick Leave and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) programs, etc.; determines employees’ eligibility for these programs and provides guidance as needed; oversees the medical certification process as well as calculates leave time when appropriate;

- Responsible for restoring employees to the same or equivalent status and/or coverage upon return from approved leave; updates and audits records to ensure accuracy;

- Oversees reasonable accommodations process; provides guidance to employees via one-on-one and/or information/learning sessions, etc.; ; tracks requests and actions and follows-up accordingly; partners with appropriate departmental personnel to determine available resources and feasibility; consults with Executive Director of HR on accommodation requests

- Ensures college compliance with university policies and regulatory statutes for Benefits, retirement plans, etc.; primarily responsible for developing and disseminating timely communications on program changes, options, resources, etc.

- Exercises discretion and independent judgement on benefits and retirement/pension plans, etc. pertaining to all employee classifications; provides recommendations, including best practices, for benefits implementation to leadership and/or constituents;

- Devises and executes plans for implementation of systems and/or initiatives to support the delivery of Benefits and Wellness Programs to the Graduate Center and its affiliated professional schools; partners with HR personnel to support orientations/onboarding and off-boarding sessions

- Ensures timely and accurate processing of benefit entries in the New York Payroll system and HRIS; partners with appropriate HR personnel to utilize internal systems to access, assess and apply data (e.g. leave balances) to determine paid or unpaid leave durations; performs data audits and generates reports;

- Coordinates employee medical insurance benefits, tax deferred annuity funds, life insurances, disability insurance, pension and retirement plans, umbrella, Decap, Buyout Waiver, Flexible Spending, Pre-Tax Programs, Commuter Transportation Programs (EdenRed), COBRA, Long Term Care and other benefit options; investigates and resolves issues; provides guidance as needed;

- Oversees Benefits Unit’s operations/services; supervises, develops, and assesses direct reports’ performance;

- Maintains benefits records and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP);

- Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree and six years' related experience required.

Preferred Qualifications:

+ Keen attention to detail and data analysis

+ Strong presentation / facilitation skills; ability to effectively decipher and communicate complex information in laymen terms.

+ Experience managing personnel/units

+ Ability to establish and foster trust and confidence with all employee groups

+ Extremely organized and able to manage priorities and projects

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Sponsorship will not be offered for this position.

CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW

Manages a portfolio of Human Resources programs and operations at the College level.

- Assumes responsibility for delivery of one or more human resources programs, which may include recruitment, performance management, labor relations, pay administration, recordkeeping, and/or human resources technology

- Manages staff responsible for carrying out operations in the Human Resources office

- Directly supports College department chairs and managers in staff planning, recruiting, hiring, and resolving sensitive personnel issues regarding their employees

- Provides guidance on the impact of laws and regulations, CUNY policies, and collective bargaining agreements

- Provides outreach to employees and provides communications such as meetings, newsletters, and web sites

- Compiles accurate and well-organized reports

- Assists management with developing policies, procedures, and programs to support Human Resources' objectives

- Performs related duties as assigned.

Job Title Name: HR Manager

CUNY TITLE

Higher Education Associate

FLSA

Exempt

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

$113,982-$121,194/year. Salary commensurate with education and experience.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

HOW TO APPLY

Please click on "Apply Now" which will bring you to the registration screen. If you are a new user, you must register to apply. If you already have a user ID, please use your existing ID to apply. Please submit a resume and a cover letter in Word or PDF format.

CLOSING DATE

Open until filled with review of applications to begin on December 3, 2025

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Job ID

31399

Location

Graduate Center