Senior Benefits Consultant (Temporary)

Job Description:

Berklee is the world’s leading institution for the study of music, dance, and theater, offering transformative educational programs ranging from performance, production, and composition to business, education, music therapy, music and culture grounded in the Africa diaspora, and other disciplines. Its innovative curriculum blends contemporary and classical training with emerging technology and creative entrepreneurship, providing students with unparalleled resources to excel in their creative pursuits. Since its founding in Boston, Berklee has evolved into a global community, now home to over 8,000 students from more than 100 countries and connected by a network of 84,000+ alumni.

Comprising Berklee College of Music, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Berklee NYC, Berklee Valencia, Berklee Abu Dhabi, and the Division of Pre-College, Online and Professional Programs, the institution's dedication to empowering the world's most inspired artists and creative entrepreneurs through arts education is reflected in the work of Berklee's students, faculty, and alumni — who have earned more than 3,000 award nominations, received more than 300 Grammys and 100 Latin Grammys, and won numerous Oscars, Emmys, and Tonys.

POSITION SUMMARY:

• Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President of Human Resources, the Senior Benefits Consultant serves as advisor to leadership and others throughout Berklee on health and welfare and retirement benefits. This is an approximately 3-month temporary position. 

Strategic Analysis & Reporting

• Provide senior management with data-driven analysis and recommendations for retirement offerings, including pension and 403(b) plans.

• Research and synthesize industry best practices and trends in retirement plan design to benchmark Berklee’s current offerings.

• Audit and ensure the effectiveness of existing benefits policies and procedures.
   

Plan Administration & Oversight

• Oversee the administration of all health, welfare, retirement, and time-off programs to ensure alignment with best practices.

• Manage operational relationships with third-party service providers, including brokers, TPAs, and record keepers.

• Maintain data integrity between Workday HRIS, payroll systems, and external vendors.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Serve as the primary lead for regulatory compliance, including ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, and FLSA.

• Execute mandatory government filings, non-discrimination testing, and 5500 reporting.

• Monitor emerging federal, state, and local laws to ensure all notifications, disclosures, and posters remain current.

Communication & Engagement

• Partner with the HR team to develop and execute communication strategies that make complex benefits easy for faculty and staff to understand.

• Design and deliver presentations on benefits-related topics for various stakeholders.

• Update and maintain digital benefits content, including website materials and educational resources.
   

MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred.

• CEBS, CFP, ARM-E, CCP, SPHR, or equivalent subject-appropriate professional credentials preferred

• 8+ years Human Resources leadership experience in employee benefits and administration, with demonstrated knowledge and experience in health, welfare and retirement plans.

• Demonstrated experience in designing, coordinating and executing retirement programs.

• Knowledge of HIPAA, PHI/PII, COBRA, FMLA, ERISA, and ACA compliance

• Experience with fully insured and self-insured health and welfare plans

• Defined benefit plan and 403B experience and knowledge is required

• Experience administering employee benefits in a union environment desirable

• Demonstrated superior knowledge of subject-appropriate federal and state laws, regulations, and administrative best-practices

• Demonstrated, superior data analysis and quantitative skil