The Wallace Foundation

Employee Benefits Specialist

The Wallace Foundation – an independent, national, New York-based philanthropy with $1.4 billion in assets – traces its origins back more than half a century to DeWitt and Lila Acheson Wallace, founders of The Reader’s Digest Association.

The Wallace Foundation seeks to improve learning and enrichment for disadvantaged children and foster the vitality of the arts for everyone.  The foundation has an unusual approach: We seek to identify, and help answer, a significant question whose answer is not known but which, if known, could help propel social progress more broadly.  We work with a small number of grantees to help them test new ideas and generate improvements for those they serve, while also generating evidence and insights that, when shared broadly, can improve policy and practice in an entire field.

The foundation currently works in five areas:

• Strengthening school leadership to improve student achievement,
• Expanding time for learning during the school year and over the summer,
• Enhancing after-school opportunities,
• Building audiences for the arts, and
• Fostering arts education for children and teens. 

At Wallace, we have a team-based structure and seek employees who are both highly skilled in their professions and able to work collaboratively with others. Wallace employees need to be able to think analytically and communicate clearly.  We value the flexibility to adapt to change, a desire to learn, and the ability to work productively both on one’s own and with colleagues inside and outside the foundation.

For more information about Wallace, please visit www.wallacefoundation.org. 

Role

The Employee Benefits Specialist has two primary responsibilities: 1) effectively administer the full scope of employee benefits plans and policies; and 2) support the Chief Administrative Officer in the day-to-day Human Resources operations which include compensation, recruitment and employee relations. The position reports to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). 

Responsibilities

Employee benefit plans and policies

• Ongoing administration and annual renewal of health, dental, vision, life/AD&D, and disability insurances including: enrollment, changes, and terminations for staff; coordination with Finance for payroll; act as liaison with the benefits broker; and follow trends and developments in the field. 

• Working with the CAO, ensure qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, and health and welfare plans are maintained in compliance with applicable legislation and regulations. 

• Ensure all required testing and reporting is completed on a timely basis; all required filings are completed and filed as required; and required disclosures and participant communications are distributed on a timely basis.

• Provide support to the Administrative Committee, and maintain relationships with the retirement plan recordkeeper, consultants, and all service providers for the plans.

• Stay current on and update CAO on legislative activity, and trends and developments in employee benefits and policies.

• Draft and ensure timely distribution of benefit and policy communications for staff including annual renewal, policy changes, and in conjunction with Finance, the annual Employee Benefits Statement 

• Administer policies and programs, e.g., leaves of absence, transit and parking program, tuition reimbursement, and professional certification and continuing education.

• Assist in building awareness and understanding by staff of their employee benefits to optimize use. 

HR Operations

In consultation with the CAO:

• Carry out the day-to-day operations for Human Resources
• Coordinate the process for annual performance and salary reviews
• Review with CAO and provide input to annual compensation surveys, and support analysis for benefits and compensation competitive reviews
• Provide support for recruiting and on-boarding/orientation.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Learning and Professional Development

Reflecting Wallace’s commitment to learning and professional development, the Employee Benefits Specialist will:

• Strengthen and deepen knowledge base about health and welfare, and qualified and non-qualified employee benefit plans, and performance enhancement and compensation systems.
• Participate on working groups, as assigned, focused on Human Resources.

Qualifications:

• Three – five years’ experience in human resources with primary responsibilities in employee benefits
• Demonstrated capability to manage the day-to-day HR and benefits work, exercising sound judgment and discretion, and ensuring confidentiality in all aspects of the role
• Strong data management and analytical thinking skills
• Excellent communication skills, with an emphasis on writing to convey key messages to staff, simplify complex employee benefits topics, and avoid jargon
• Ability to effectively manage external relationships, e.g., brokers, recruiting firms, insurance carriers, to deliver agreed-upon services of high quality
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or certifications in HR or benefits a plus

Salary is commensurate with experience. Our benefits include health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, a 403(b) Retirement Plan and Paid Time Off (PTO).

To Apply

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to [email protected]  . Please note “Benefits Specialist” as the subject in your email. 

Please submit your cover letter and resume no later than May 20, 2016 for consideration.

The Wallace Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to maintaining a diverse workplace where differing perspectives are a source of strength.