Benefits & Pension Consultant

Centennial College recognizes and affirms Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Indigenous ways of knowing as central to the vibrancy and uniqueness of its learning and working academic mission. We strongly encourage applications from members of Indigenous communities and all equity-deserving groups including Women, Racialized, Persons with Disabilities, and LGBTQ+ communities.

We also recognize that Centennial is situated on the Treaty Lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and pay tribute to their legacy as well as that of all First Peoples that have been and remain present here in Toronto. We recognize that First Peoples come from sovereign Nations and that part of understanding our responsibilities of residing on this territory are understanding the true history, circumstances and legacy of the Treaties signed here (such as the Toronto Purchase, Robinson-Huron Treaty and Williams Treaties) and including pre-contact Treaties and Agreements between sovereign Nations and that all peoples in this area are therefore Treaty people with obligations and responsibilities to all our relations.

Position Summary
Reporting to the Manager, Benefits and Pension, the Benefits & Pension Consultant is responsible for the administration, compliance, delivery, communication and optimization of Centennial College’s benefits and pension programs. The Consultant provides critical benefits and pension support and guidance to human resource partners, employees, retirees, family members, and other internal/external stakeholders.  
The Benefits & Pension Consultant analyzes and assesses relevant legislation changes, labour relations developments, and submissions on benefit/pension issues and implications. Working closely with the Manager, the incumbent will develop recommendations and contribute to improved efficiencies and exceptional customer service. 

Responsibilities

• Administers multiple benefit programs and pension plan designs to maintain a high level of client satisfaction, uphold compliance, and ensure accuracy. This includes the administration of employee benefits and pensions enrolments, retirements, terminations, disabilities, leaves, deaths and pension purchases  
• Acts as an internal subject matter expert and trusted advisor to management, HR leaders and employees on benefit/pension issues, policies and procedures that affect employee leaves, terminations, retirements, deaths, new hires, and vacation entitlement
• Supports the administration of the College’s academic partial-load employee benefits including communicating, processing and maintaining accurate data across multiple internal and external systems.
• Educates employees on their pension benefits and ensures that employees always have the most up to date information on CAAT Pension Plan rules and regulations
• Consults with employees and their families on life insurance estate matters
• Manages the retiree benefits program including the database, monthly direct debit, annual year-end premium rate renewal notices and tax receipts
• Administers the college’s non-medical leaves, including but not limited to pregnancy/parental, family medical, family caregiver, pre-paid, reduced workloads, personal unpaid leave of absences, and other ESA approved leaves
• Serves as a point of contact and provides consultative services to employees, retirees, survivors and College management on all pension matters.
• Partners in the annual reporting of pension information to the CAAT Pension Plan and assists with contribution reconciliation
• Prepares benefit/pension communications and plan changes for broadcasting to the college community
• Ensures College is in full compliance with laws and regulations, collective agreements, terms and conditions of employment and benefit/pension plan contracts as applied to the separate plans
• Provides support to the Manager, Benefits & Pension in gathering data and ad hoc reports for decision making

Qualifications/Experience

• Completion of 3-year Diploma/degree in Human Resources Management or equivalent 
• Minimum five (5) years of related experience administering multi-plan group benefits in a large, unionized environment and/or administering defined benefit (DB) pensions in Ontario 
• Completion of CHRP (Certified Human Resources Professional), CEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Professional), Pension Plan Administration Certificate (PPAC) or Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP), or working towards certifications considered an asset.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting labour contracts, particularly benefit provisions of Collective Agreements, Terms and Conditions of Employment, Sun Life Benefit Contracts, Employment Standards Act, Human Rights Code, Employment Insurance Act, Pension Benefits Act, Family Law Act, pension plan texts and relevant Canada Revenue Agency and Income Tax Act regulations.  
• Demonstrated competency in the use of HRIS or computerized benefit systems. Knowledge of Banner considered an asset.
• Ability to handle sensitive benefit, leave, and salary information and issues tactfully and confidentially with a high level of customer service.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills to identify problems and determine possible solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure with the ability to multitask and prioritize work 
• Detail oriented and a strong numerical aptitude
• Excellent interpersonal, communication (verbal and written), relationship management and problem-solving skills.
• Adaptable and able to respond to “urgent” requests with a flexible approach.
• Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision, show initiative and demonstrate good judgment.
• Advanced knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite (including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and Adobe Acrobat.

Apply online: www.centennialcollege.ca/careers

Proof of credentials or equivalencies from accredited regional or federal post secondary institutions and/or their foreign equivalents will be required at the time of job offer.  

When applying, your cover letter and résumé must include examples that reflect all of the requested skills and qualifications and must be submitted online by February 8, 2023 at 11:59 PM EST.  Please quote Job ID J0123-1766. Misrepresentation of applicant information will be grounds for your exclusion from the competition or for dismissal should you subsequently be hired for the position. We wish to thank all applicants for their interest and advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

We are committed to providing persons with disabilities equal opportunities regarding all employment activities, including access to jobs and accommodations during employment as required, in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).