Benefits Administrator

Summary: The HR team at The Public Theater is a key department driving the development of the employee experience for an incredibly talented group of colleagues across an internationally renowned, not-for-profit, Off-Broadway theatrical organization. The Part-time Benefits Administrator is responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of group benefits programs (group health, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, worker's compensation, life insurance, flexible spending plans, retirement plans, etc.). The Public’s New York City based location employs approximately 200 full and part-time employees, as well as 300+ variable hour employees staffing productions throughout the season. 

The Benefits Administrator position will handle leave administration and the navigation of all organizational and government coverage programs. The Benefits Administrator provides excellent customer service, streamlines existing programs, and creates accurate reporting tools for the HR department. This position reports to the Director of HR Operations.

Responsibilities:

• Benefits Administration: 
• Ensures the accuracy of all benefit enrollments. 
• Serves as administrative contact for plan vendors and third-party administrators. 
• Assist Director of HR Operations with daily benefits processing. Handle enrollments, COBRA, LOA, accommodations, terminations, changes, beneficiaries, disability, medical, personal and FMLA, accident and death claims, rollovers, QDROs, QMCSOs, distributions, loans, hardships and compliance testing. 
• Coordinates transfer of data to external contacts for services, premiums and plan administration. 
• Assist employees regarding benefits claim issues and plan changes. 
• Recommends cost-effective ways of offering employees a robust benefits package. 
• Document, track, and maintain administrative procedures for assigned benefits processes. 
• Benefits Orientation: 
• Present new hire benefit orientations, onsite, in virtual groups and 1-on-1 settings. 
• Distributes all benefits enrollment materials and determines eligibility. 
• Enrolls employees with carriers and processes life status changes. 
• HRIS Management: 
• Complete benefits surveys and review information obtained from the results. 
• Perform quality checks on benefits-related data. 
• Ensure compliance with applicable government regulations. 
• Ensure timeliness and accuracy of required reporting and fees. 
• Leave Administration: 
• Responds to benefits inquiries from managers and employees on plan provisions, benefits enrollments, status changes and other general inquiries. 
• Assist Director of HR Operations with evaluation and revision of internal processes to reduce costs and increase efficiency. 
• Responds to 403(b) inquiries from managers and employees relating to enrollments, plan changes and contribution amounts. 
• Gather employee data and oversee the processing of monthly billings and the preparation of vouchers for payment of administrative fees for all group plans. 
• Design and distribute materials for benefits orientations, open enrollment and summary plan descriptions. 
• Provide training and support to all Public Theater populations and employee categories. 
• Oversee maintenance of employee benefits files, maintain group benefits database and update employee payroll records. 

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in human resource management or related field, and two to three years of related HR benefits or employee benefits administration experience 
• SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP and CEBS professional designations preferred
• High level and effective interpersonal as well as oral and written communication skills
• Extensive knowledge of group employee benefits, private and governmental leave programs and applicable laws
• HRIS proficiency and technical aptitude 
• Project management skills and experience 
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment with employees and vendors 
• Ability to manage several complex projects while working under pressure to meet deadlines 
• Strong analytical skills and a thorough knowledge of plan designs
• Sound judgment, and commitment to discretion and confidentiality 
• Knowledge of benefits contract language
• Excellent organizational skills and time management
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite 

This is a non-exempt part time position, according to the Fair Labor Standards Act, with an annual salary of $45,000. The position offers a flexible 3 (three) days per week schedule; onsite ability is required. If interested, please apply via our website by submitting a cover letter along with your resume.

COVID-19 and Vaccination Policy

As a condition of employment, The Public will require all who report to work on-site (either at The Public Theater or any other workspace or performing location) to be up-to-date on the COVID-19 vaccine and booster, as eligible based on CDC guidelines.

Commitment

The Public is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applicants from populations underrepresented in the theater field are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, ability, age, or veteran status.

About The Public 

The Public is theater of, by, and for the people. Artist-driven, radically inclusive, and fundamentally democratic, The Public continues the work of its visionary founder Joe Papp as a civic institution engaging, both on-stage and off, with some of the most important ideas and social issues of today. Conceived over 60 years ago as one of the nation’s first nonprofit theaters, The Public has long operated on the principles that theater is an essential cultural force and that art and culture belong to everyone. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Executive Director Patrick Willingham, The Public’s wide breadth of programming includes an annual season of new work at its landmark home at Astor Place, Free Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, The Mobile Unit touring throughout New York City’s five boroughs, Under the Radar, Public Works, Public Shakespeare Initiative, and Joe’s Pub. Since premiering HAIR in 1967, The Public continues to create the canon of American theater and is currently represented on Broadway by the Tony Award-winning musical Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Their programs and productions can also be seen regionally across the country and around the world. The Public has received 60Tony Awards, 169 Obie Awards, 53 Drama Desk Awards, 54 Lortel Awards, 32 Outer Critic Circle Awards, 13 New York Drama Desk Awards, and 6 Pulitzer Prizes.