HR Retirement Benefits Specialist

Salary Grade

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary range available for this position at the time of its posting. The salary range is between $52,705 and $74,873, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

Job Description

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Serve as the primary, independent subject matter expert for the day-to-day administration, compliance, and strategic evolution of Case Western Reserve Universitys (CWRU) retirement plans (Plans A, B, and C) and the retiree health program. Operating with autonomy, this role guides faculty and staff on retirement benefit-related choices. Through consistent legislative monitoring and the use of data analytics and artificial intelligence, this position delivers proactive insights to support HR leaderships institutional retirement benefits strategy.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provide strategic administration and independent guidance. Serve as the retirement benefit advisor to the Case Western Reserve University community, conducting one-on-one consultations to guide faculty and staff through retirement benefit choices and plan provisions. Administer Faculty and Key Administrative Staff Retirement Plan A, and Staff Retirement Plans B and C. Determine plan participant eligibility, oversee plan enrollments by current and newly hired faculty and staff, and process participant documents. Function as the primary daily contact and coordinator with external parties regarding plan administration matters (i.e., actuaries, third-party administrators, and trustee), resolving routine and advanced plan operational issues. Administer qualified domestic relations orders (QDROs) and process death claims across all plans. (40%)
• Provide summaries on current and upcoming regulatory compliance activities. Maintain comprehensive, up-to-date knowledge of plan provisions, relevant Internal Revenue Code sections and regulations, applicable ERISA rules and regulations, and relevant compliance frameworks. Proactively track, research, and evaluate ongoing changes to federal and state retirement laws. Regularly brief the Director of Benefits on legislative shifts to inform the universitys compliance efforts. Assist with regulatory reporting and audit readiness activities; respond to data requests for annual retirement plan and university financial statement audits; assist with Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) reporting, preparation and distribution of annual fee disclosure notices, census data preparation for non-discrimination testing, and Form 5500 reporting. (25%)
• Provide AI-driven analytics and technology integration. Leverage employee population data, , data modeling techniques, and AI-powered analytical tools to build predictive reports for future-dated plan participation and executive dashboards. Generate data-driven insights to provide enhanced financial guidance to the director of benefits and target communication gaps for employees. Modernize benefit data collection by designing smart HCM queries to audit enrollment accuracy. Participate in regional and national benchmark surveys, utilizing data automation to research peer institutions and recommend plan optimizations. (20%)
• Provide educational programming and continuous learning. Strategically design, schedule, and execute retirement education programs and group workshops for the CWRU campus. Collaborate closely with investment carriers, HR Administrators, and the Professional Development Center to align educational opportunities with modern financial literacy standards. Oversee the retirement and benefits content for new hire orientation facilitating a seamless benefits onboarding for incoming faculty and staff. (10%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Partner with the HRIS analyst to ensure digital retirement resources and HR webpage content are current. (2%)
• Provide backup coverage for other specialized benefits team members during peak operational periods. (1%)
• Take the lead in support of high-impact HR community initiatives and milestone events (e.g., annual Benefits Fair). (2%)

CONTACTS

Department: Daily collaboration with HR Leadership to assist with benefits strategy administration and support organizational initiatives; with HRIS to assist with troubleshooting system issues, support open enrollment, and ensure accurate retirement benefits system configuration; Payroll to resolve payroll-related benefits issues and reconcile benefit deductions; and Employment to coordinate benefits eligibility for new hires and transfers.

University: Independent consultation with faculty and staff across campus to provide personalized retirement benefit guidance.

External: Regular interaction with legal counsel to manage the administrative review of QDROs; auditors to provide data and backup materials as requested; TPA team members to resolve plan operational issues and coordinate administrative requests; plan record keeper representatives to support daily plan administration across Plans A, B, and C; and university retirees to support the administration of the universitys retiree health program, guide participants through plan provisions, and process death claims.

Students: Little to no contact.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

No direct supervisory responsibility.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 3 to 5 years of progressive experience in benefits administration, with a dedicated focus on retirement plans (defined benefit and/or defined contribution frameworks) and regulatory compliance.

Education: Bachelors degree required, preferably in Human Resources, Business Analytics, Finance, or a related field.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Demonstrated experience operating independently in a consultative advisory role to high-level organizational constituents.
• Tech & AI Savviness: Advanced proficiency in HRIS databases (Oracle/PeopleSoft preferred), Excel data modeling, and modern AI/analytics platforms for predictive reporting and dashboard creation.
• Autonomy & Problem Solving: Proven ability to analyze complex situations, interpret regulatory statutes and plan documents, and execute courses of action with a high degree of independence and without immediate precedent.
• Communication Mastery: Superb consultative, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to articulate intricate financial and compliance structures clearly.
• Discretion: Exceptional ethical standards and demonstrated ability to safeguard highly sensitive, confidential financial and legal documentation.
• Ability to demonstrate successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office environment with hybrid flexibility as permitted by department standards.

Hybrid Eligibility

This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.

EEO Statement

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodations

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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