Internal Candidates apply before November 22, 2024
INTRODUCTION
The Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) provides death, disability, and pension retirement benefits to employees of local governments and school districts in Illinois (with the exception of the City of Chicago and Cook County). We are the second largest—and best funded—statewide public pension system in Illinois, IMRF serves approximately 3,000 municipal employers in the State. We are an award-winning organization, located in Oak Brook. IMRF is looking for top talent, for a direct hire opportunity that is benefit eligible. If you are passionate about ___________ duties and meet the requirements, we want to hear from you.
SUMMARY
This position provides the supervision for the Benefits and Purchase of Service processing staff. This position is primarily responsible for developing and supervising each unit to a level of performance that achieves established time bound, financial, and procedural standards.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Supervise, assign, and guide the staff as they enter, investigate, analyze, and approve members’ applications for refunds, retirement, death benefits, voluntary additional, and past service applications.
• Act as main contact to grant access and permissions for IMRF staff in the self-service portals of our Reciprocal partners.
• Assign and monitor the processing of all manual estimates.
• Coordinate necessary corrections/adjustments of benefit or purchase of service applications.
• Conduct or arrange new and on-going training to expedite new staff members becoming productive; and to maintain a high level of competency in the experienced staff.
• Communicate verbally and in writing with members, key stakeholders, and other IMRF departments to resolve issues that cannot be resolved by staff.
• Approve benefits requiring a second level of approval as needed.
• Monitor unit pending production information (i.e., Work Manager, pending lists, applications, estimates, adjustments, etc.) and make necessary adjustments to insure balanced workloads and timely processing.
• Periodically compare unit performance goals to the expectations of our members and make adjustments when necessary.
• Maintain individual and unit performance information to ensure accountability, complete performance appraisals, and execute performance management as needed. Make recommendations concerning merit increases and promotions.
• Assist in preparing any necessary reports. Maintain and review statistics and department plans with the Benefits Manager.
• Process benefit applications for IMRF staff members, with utmost confidentiality. Provide staff pension estimates to Human Resources to assist them in determining payout amounts in accordance with established IMRF policy.
• Review customer feedback from calls, emails, and surveys, and follow established procedures for timely resolution and follow-up on any complaints received.
• Other responsibilities as assigned
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Directly supervises and directs work for employees in the Benefits Department. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
• Bachelor's degree (BA or BS) from four-year College or university AND two years related business or supervisory experience. Business-related major preferred.
OR
• Associates degree or 60 college credits AND four years of related business or supervisory experience. Business-related major preferred.
• Must demonstrate strong leadership skills with the ability to communicate, coach, and develop the skills of direct-reports.
• Must have excellent customer service skills, with the ability to communicate to internal and external customers in a professional manner.
