The City of Richmond offers a thriving job market, affordable cost of living, access to outdoor activities, rich cultural and historical heritage, and a welcoming community. From urban centers to rural villages, you’ll find an exciting array of amenities and activities that make our city a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family.

As a team member of the City of Richmond, you can enjoy our high-quality, affordable benefits program, tailored to meet your individual or family needs. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply! …Are you Richmond R.E.A.D.Y?!

The Human Resources Department’s Mission

The Human Resources Department’s mission is to support our customers in accomplishing their missions by attracting and retaining a highly skilled and diversified workforce that is compensated and rewarded for its effort in an equitable, safe, and responsible work environment. Our mission is accomplished within existing resources, in an environment of change, with integrity, and in a manner that is consistent with the City’s policies, Code of Ethics, merit system principles, and federal and state laws.

We are responsible for recruitment and testing, classification and compensation, training, benefits administration, and workforce relations.

Benefits and Wellness Manager Responsibilities

The Benefits and Wellness Manager is responsible for the management of large-scale benefits' projects, including oversight of benefits process improvement initiatives, and new programs aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of City of Richmond employees. In addition, this role will oversee benefits and wellness vendor relationships, collaborating regularly with partners in key departments such as procurement, finance, strategic communications, and information technology to ensure seamless RFP, implementation, and vendor management processes.

Reporting directly to the Division Chief of Benefits and Wellness, the Benefits and Wellness Manager will serve as a subject matter expert, supporting organizational goals and initiatives through the recommendation of industry best practices, implementation of innovative benefits and communication initiatives, and evaluation of needs and services in order to ensure the City of Richmond remains an employer of choice.

Duties include but are not limited to:

Partner with leadership to create the organization’s Human Resources Benefit strategy particularly related to current and future needs to retain and recruit top talent.
Assist in coordinating the division's efforts to meet its obligations under Federal and State law including FOIA, and meet other regulatory requests internally and externally, as requested.
Serve as the main vendor and procurement contact and manage processes related to RFPs, amendments, and payments for all benefits providers.
Oversee Open Enrollment including the creation of a strategic internal communications plan, engagement Webinars, and relationships with insurers.
Continually re-evaluate the City of Richmond’s Benefits portfolio to ensure a competitive benefit offering, provide recommendations to the Division Chief.
Serve as a key lead on process improvement projects including needs analysis, creation of SOPs, metrics evaluation, and reporting.
Assist in the implementation of benefits-related software solutions in collaboration with DIT.
Address escalated benefits administrative issues, investigating problem causes and implementing solutions.
Partner with key stakeholders across the organization, such as Strategic Communications, to increase utilization of resources and services.
Operationalize knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in Human Resources, Benefits, and Wellness.
Interface with Retirement, Payroll and HR Business Partners to ensure seamless employee experience from on-boarding to off-boarding.
Ensure benefits records and documentation are accurate and up-to-date, upholding compliance guidelines and regulations by performing or overseeing periodic audits.

Qualifications, Special Certifications, and Licenses

Minimum Training and Experience:

5+ years of progressive experience in one or more of the following fields: Human Resources, Benefit Administration, or Employee Wellness Programs.
Bachelor’s degree (equivalency not accepted in place of a required degree) in Human Resources; Business; Public Administration; Public Health; or a related field.

Licensing, Certifications, and/or Other Special Requirements:

Professional designated certification preferred (e.g. SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP or PHR/PHRI; IPMA-CP/IPMA-SCP; CCP; CEBS); Project Management Professional Certification a plus.

Preferred Training and Experience:

7+ years of progressive experience in Human Resources
5+ years in Benefits Administration
2+ years in supervisory experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge (some combination of the following):

Federal/state benefits, healthcare and employment laws and regulations
Functions and policies of Human Resources
Working knowledge of current and emerging benefits and healthcare trends

Skills (some combination of the following):

Utilize data and metrics to identify areas of improvement and create a strategic plan to address needs
Program Management skills including development, implementation, and evaluation of projects
Strong PowerPoint and Presentation skills, ability to present to key stakeholders
Work both independently and cooperatively as part of a team
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Strong problem-solving abilities and natural resourcefulness
Strong Microsoft Office skills, expertise in Excel a plus
Vendor management expertise and customer service experience
Budgeting and contract management

Abilities (some combination of the following):

Work effectively around high priority requests in fast-paced and dynamic environments
Troubleshoot, research, and accurately interpret benefits and Human Resources laws and regulations
Plan and lead projects from beginning to end, develop timelines and documentation of processes, including all appropriate departments/personnel
Establish and maintain excellent working relationships with city employees, managers, officials, and outside vendors
Work independently with minimal supervision, as well as within a team environment
Problem solves, manage time effectively, and prioritize tasks
Maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the job
Demonstrate moral and ethical integrity
Think critically and make sound judgments