Job Posting

The Payroll and Insurance Manager oversees the calculation, verification and processing of all insurance enrollments and annuitant payroll functions.  The incumbent acts as a resource to the Deputy Chief Benefits Officer – Pension Administration in the analysis and evaluation of policy issues relative to insurance and the annuitant payroll.

Education Requirements:

A bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, accounting, finance, human resources or a related degree is required.  Candidates without a degree may be considered provided they meet the experience requirements listed below.

Experience:

Candidates possessing a bachelor’s degree must have a minimum of five years of progressive responsibility in business or public administration, accounting, finance, human resources or related field with direct management experience. Progressive responsibility in payroll and/or health insurance administration preferred.  Candidates without a degree or management experience must possess ten years of progressive responsibility in payroll and/or health insurance administration. Knowledge of the Teachers’ Retirement Insurance Program (TRIP) and State Employees Group Insurance Program is preferred. 

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

This position provides leadership and supervision to staff and plans and coordinates the activities of the Payroll and Insurance Unit in accordance with System policy and practice.  The incumbent interprets and ensures compliance with applicable state and federal laws, statutes, TRS rules, and procedures, which impact benefits, insurance, and the annuitant payroll.  This position may be required to draft, analyze and review processing procedures as well as propose new policies or make recommendations to amend existing policies.  This position serves as a liaison and TRS representative at meetings and conferences to assure a TRS presence in the pension field and provides information concerning policy, planning, and the administration of benefits.  This position is responsible for assigning and reviewing subordinates’ work, preparing performance appraisals, effectively recommending and imposing disciplinary action and handling employee complaints.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

This position requires a thorough knowledge and understanding of the state and federal laws, statutes, TRS rules, and procedures that impact benefits and the annuitant payroll and a working knowledge of other Illinois public retirement pension systems under reciprocal agreement with TRS.  The ability to establish working relationships with other TRS managers and staff, representatives of other agencies, and the general public is required.  In addition, excellent communication and interpersonal skills are required in order to represent the System.  The ability to supervise, train, direct, and control the activities of staff is required.  On occasion this position may conduct presentations.  

Selection Criteria:

ANALYTICAL SKILLS

Analyzes information and reviews problems thoroughly; determines the nature and relationship of situations.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

The ability to use language to define and describe options and procedures that are a part of both retirement planning and the actual retirement process.  The ability to communicate ideas and information in a clear and concise manner.  The ability to explain complex requirements encoded in statutory requirements using language that is easily understood by a layman.

JOB KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

Has completed specified amount of time previously performing essential elements of a job; possesses a body of information or level of understanding necessary to complete assigned responsibilities.

JUDGMENT

Makes decisions in a logical and objective manner; demonstrates common sense.

MANAGEMENT SKILLS

The ability to effectively use and supervise human and material resources to achieve the goals and objectives of an organization.

PLANNING

Organizes, plots, strategizes, schedules, prioritizes, and/or effectively demonstrates the ability to forecast and evaluate trends.

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Job Description

Purpose:

Under the direction of the Deputy Chief Benefits Officer – Pension Administration, the Payroll and Insurance Manager is accountable for the calculation, verification and processing of all insurance enrollments and annuitant payroll functions.  The incumbent acts as a resource to the Deputy Chief Benefits Officer – Pension Administration in the analysis and evaluation of policy issues relative to insurance and the annuitant payroll.

Nature and Scope:

This position oversees the receipt, calculation, verification, and processing of insurance enrollments and annuitant payroll transactions performed by the payroll and insurance team.  There is a quality assurance and an extended member service component in this position that is met through responding to members’ requests and verifying the accuracy of information provided to members. 

The incumbent interprets and ensures compliance with applicable state and federal laws, statutes, TRS rules, and procedures, which impact benefits, insurance, and the annuitant payroll.  This position may be required to draft, analyze and review processing procedures as well as propose new policies or make recommendations to amend existing policies.  This position serves as a liaison and TRS representative at meetings and conferences to assure a TRS presence in the pension field and provides information concerning policy, planning, and the administration of benefits.  This position also serves as a researcher and advisor to senior management concerning the operations of the annuitant payroll and insurance departments.  This position is responsible for assigning and reviewing subordinates’ work, preparing performance appraisals, effectively recommending and imposing disciplinary action and handling employee complaints.

The greatest challenge of this position is to provide leadership and guidance to staff as well as  ensure routine technical processing activities for annuitant payroll and insurance enrollments  are processed in a timely manner while simultaneously dealing appropriately with issues that affect operating procedures, rules, and policies.

Principal Accountabilities:

1. Manage and direct the administrative activity concerning Payroll and Insurance processing.
2. Manage and direct the operations of the State and TRIP Insurance Programs including, but not limited to ensuring accurate collection and payment of premiums into the Teachers’ Health Insurance Fund.
3. Serve as an advisor to the Deputy Chief Benefits Officer and Chief Benefits Officer which  includes evaluating existing procedures and designing, drafting and recommending new or amended procedures.
4. Interpret and apply statutes and rules governing Teachers’ Retirement System as they relate to payroll and insurance. Have a working knowledge of the State Employees Group Insurance Act.
5. Counsel members, annuitants, beneficiaries and/or their representatives regarding all payroll functions including monthly annuity benefits, miscellaneous deductions, direct deposit, post retirement increases, and federal and/or state withholding as well as benefits under the Teachers’ Retirement Insurance Program and the State of Illinois group insurance plan.
6. Analyze administrative problems; develop, organize and implement an effective course of action supported by research and analysis.
7. Analyze proposed legislation and make recommendations on policy and operational changes.
8. Ensure vouchers are validated, proper signatures are obtained, and approve file transfers as needed. Serve as primary contact with the Comptroller’s Office for failed vouchers and other issues.
9. Have a working knowledge of Agile principles and values.   Serve on cross-functional Agile teams as a team member or Subject Matter Expert, as needed.
10. Participate in the design and testing of any automation of payroll or insurance processes.
11. Ensure Annuity and Lump Sum Payroll voucher schedules are prepared annually and implemented appropriately. Ensure all annual payroll files are generated and transferred to the Comptroller’s Office, including the address file, 1099R file, and attributable income file.
12. Assist the Manager of Training by identifying staff training and individual development needs. Conduct training when needed.
13. Engage in succession planning to assure the stability of the Payroll and Insurance Department and continuity of services.
14. Ensure necessary information for Internal and External audits is gathered as needed.
15. Develop and maintain operating statistics for the department.
16. Perform other duties as required or assigned.