Pension & Benefits Advisor

This position has a term length of 2 years from the date of hire.

Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person. Work primarily takes place at Enterprise Square, Edmonton.

Do you enjoy working in a collaborative environment, believe in service excellence and have a strong background and passion in Pension & Benefits Administration? Then we invite you to apply and become part of our team.

Reporting to the Manager, Benefits and Employment Services, the Pension and Benefits Advisor is primarily responsible for providing timely and critical support and advice to faculty and staff and overseeing the integrity of benefits plan entitlements and reporting.

The Pension and Benefits Advisor ensures that employee benefit and pension plans enrollments, changes and terminations are completed in a timely and accurate manner and that employees are provided with advice, consultation and education about the benefit and pension offerings available to them and their families. The Pension and Benefits Advisor is also responsible for administering the University’s defined benefit (PSPP, UAPP) and defined contribution (ASRP, EDCSRP) pension plans in accordance with federal, provincial, and plan regulations.

• Provides consultation, education, and advice to employees on benefit program offerings, plan costs, election options, enrollment, change and termination processes and procedures, family eligibility, coordination, and other specialized benefit-related questions.
• Reviews and manages the daily event maintenance and open enrollment processes within the Benefits Administration module, including daily reports to ensure employees have made the right selection to enroll in initial benefits upon hire, rehire, promotion or transfer.
• Enrolls employees in optional benefits (supplemental health, optional coverages, etc.) upon receipt of completed forms.
• Meets with individual employees to process benefit changes related to significant life events affecting the employee, such as retirement and termination.
• Works with the Leave Administrators to provide advice and assistance to employees when life events impact benefits such as maternity and parental leave, partial leave, illness leave, vacation leave, recurring term inactive period, long-term disability, termination, layoff, reduced duties leading to retirement and retirement.
• Prepares premium calculation costs for employees wishing to pre-pay benefits while on an unpaid leave of absence.
• Consults with 3rd party benefit providers and employees to resolve and clarify issues regarding coverage and claims.
• Administers and maintains annual benefit programs such as academic child care, student declarations, health spending account and personal spending account allocations.
• Works with Functional Analysts to define business and reporting requirements, set up and maintain benefit and pension plans and design PeopleSoft HCM processes and system functionality.
• Manages member termination & retirements in 3rd party pension enrollment systems (Ben Plus/EOS) for UAPP (Universities Academic Pension Plan) and PSPP (Public Service Pension Plan).
• Coordinates with Pension Specialist to review, validate and update data for year-end pension reporting in accordance with plan deadlines. Reviews benefit rate and program table changes, and performs testing to ensure rate changes and setup meets expected business requirements.

• Completion of a related post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree.
• Human Resources Management certificate, diploma or degree and/or Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), Pension Plan Administrator (PPAC), or equivalent designation(s) and experience are desirable.
• Two to four years of experience working with benefit and pension plans in a large, unionized employer is desirable.
• Experience with UAPP, PSPP, LAPP or other defined contribution pension plans is required.
• Experience with PeopleSoft HCM (Base Benefits, Benefit Administration, Payroll for North America, PS Query) is an asset.
• Exemplary client service, focused on demonstrating a genuine concern for understanding client needs and meeting or exceeding client expectations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills required to share feedback and address concerns respectfully and constructively.
• Cooperative and productive workstyle, working with diverse teams and clients to achieve desired results.
• Approaches challenges and opportunities with creative solutions to problems and offers detailed, well-articulated explanations.
• Strong planning and organizational skills, managing time and resources effectively to achieve results and identify critical tasks, effectively focusing on workload priorities while working within strict deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of U of A HR policy, collective agreements, and legislation.
• Experience in post-secondary or unionized environments.
• Strong communication and customer service orientation.

Application Instructions

Click "Apply Now" to submit your cover letter and resume.

This position is subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the Governors of the University of Alberta and the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package.