Benefits Generalist

Position Summary:

The Benefits Generalist - communications is responsible for both technical and human sides of employee benefits—leveraging system capabilities in Oracle HCM and vendor platforms,  while developing engaging communications to make benefits engaging, accessible, and easy to understand. As a primary resource for candidates, employees, and leadership across our three founding member institutions, this position delivers exceptional customer service.   The Benefits Generalist is responsible for the full employee benefits lifecycle, strategic benefit communications, and seamless administration and employee experience through Oracle HCM.

Reporting Structure:

This position reports to the Benefits Shared Services Lead.

Location:  
Burlington, VT
Hybrid (office and work from home) with travel to member colleges in Middlebury, Colchester, and Burlington.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Benefits Communication & Employee Engagement

• Serve as a high-touch resource for prospective candidates, active employees, retirees, and campus leadership, delivering exceptional customer service.
• Develop clear, engaging written communications and educational materials explaining health & welfare and retirement benefits.
• Create and facilitate informative group presentations, orientation sessions, and open enrollment meetings (virtually and on-campus).  Travel periodically to member college campuses to lead informational sessions and assist employees with enrollments or status changes.
• Lead project management efforts for annual open enrollment and special benefits initiatives.

Administration & Operations

• Administer day-to-day health & welfare and retirement benefit plans across all member institutions within Oracle HCM.
• Support the full annual Open Enrollment lifecycle, including strategy, project management,  messaging, system setup and testing.
• Ensure regulatory compliance.
• Partner closely with payroll colleagues to align deduction schedules, resolve variances, and ensure cross-functional efficiency.
• Maintain accurate benefit records (eligibility, enrollment, dependents, payroll deductions, offboarding, and COBRA) across all administrative systems and vendors.
• Review system and vendor error reports to troubleshoot and resolve data discrepancies promptly.
• Conduct regular plan audits, non-discrimination testing, and reporting required by ERISA, IRS regulations, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
• Actively participates in quarterly and ongoing system testing.

Other Duties as assigned

Knowledge & Abilities & Education

Knowledge of: 

• Microsoft Office: Word, Excel (including pivots and VLOOKUP), Outlook
• Google Drive, Adobe Suite, Canva, and AI tools
• Payroll/benefits software and basic knowledge of general accounting principles
• Tax and benefits law
• Benefits processing
• Internal Review Service and federal and state regulations pertaining to employee benefits
• Data collection, data entry and reporting

Ability to:

• Meet deadlines for daily, weekly, annual, and project workload goals
• Organize and prioritize work, take initiative, resolve problems, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Recognize several likely causes of events, analyze relationships among several parts of a problem or situation, and formulate a multi-step response if required
• Build strong, positive relationships with external and internal contacts
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, including presenting to groups
• Creatively communicate, translating complex benefits into clear, engaging, and modern content
• Manage and analyze financial data accurately
• Interpret and apply company policies and procedures
• Maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive information with tact and discretion
• Work closely with others in a small cooperative office, open office environment
• Independently achieve results and self-direct work responsibly
• Systems-savvy with the ability utilize workflows in Oracle HCM
• Customer-focused, empathetic, and energized by helping people navigate their health, welfare, and retirement plans

Education and Experience:

• A bachelor’s degree
• 3-5 years of benefits management experience
• PHR or CBP a plus

Compensation: $78,000-$90,000, comprehensive benefits package

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

The essential functions of this classification is performed in a office environment (hybrid: remote home office and/or GMHEC office) and require the ability to: sit or stand for extended periods of time in front of a computer screen: use finger dexterity and hand strength to perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use of a telephone and operation of a computer keyboard on a daily basis; speak and hear in person and on the phone; see sufficiently to perform assignments.

About Us
The Green Mountain Higher Education Consortium, located in northern Vermont, was founded by Champlain College, Middlebury College and Saint Michael's College in 2013. The Consortium aims to help its members to lower costs, increase the quality of services and add strategic value to our members.

The Consortium and its members strive to leverage shared technology, create the best processes and service our organizations. With the creation of a Shared Services organization, we are committed to building an infrastructure that supports each College's strategic plan and allows for the addition of new members.

We provide a meaningful benefits program including health, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement with a generous match, paid time off and a well-being program. This position provides a unique learning and career growth opportunity in an innovative environment.

Application Instructions:

Please be prepared to attach the following documents after clicking on the Apply Now button:

Cover Letter 
Resume

Additional Information:

The successful completion of a criminal background check is required as a condition of employment.

The Consortium does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, religion, age, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, veteran or military service status, HIV -positive status, qualified disability, or on the basis of any other status protected by law and does not discriminate in the administration of its employment practices or other Consortium-administered programs. The Consortium will make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified applicants for employment or employees. Please contact the Executive Director at 802.443.2304 if auxiliary aids or services are needed to apply for employment at the Consortium.

The Consortium is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse community. Recognizing that diversity is both a reflection of our world and a source of rich education, the Consortium strives to be diverse and inclusive in ways that reflect the world in which we live and work. All members of the Consortium community are valued as individuals.

The Consortium seeks candidates who, through their work and life experiences and service to the community can contribute to the diversity, inclusivity and customer service excellence of the Consortium. Please include information about how you would contribute to these efforts and help to further this goal in your cover letter.