About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary:

The benefits supervisor is responsible for the strategic oversight and day-to-day administration of the University’s health, welfare, and retirement plans, with a primary focus on specialized leave management. This role leads the benefits and leaves teams, ensuring high-level execution of benefits, FMLA, ADA, and Workers’ Compensation programs while maintaining regulatory compliance and operational efficiency.

Rice is seeking a seasoned benefits and leave specialist ready to step into a supervisor role. Someone who combines technical mastery of compliance with a strong operational mindset. The ideal candidate will have at least 8 years of experience navigating the complexities of health, welfare, and retirement administration, with deep, firsthand expertise in FMLA, ADA, and Workers’ Compensation case management. This individual is analytical and understands the delicate balance among University policies, legal requirements, and employee experience. Proven ability to lead and mentor a team of specialists, ensuring accuracy and empathy in high-pressure situations. The benefits supervisor must feel comfortable monitoring processes and have a continuous improvement mindset to streamline workflows and reduce administrative friction.

Workplace Requirements:

Physical requirements: This role requires extended sitting, viewing monitors, and repetitive hand movements.

This position is offered as a hybrid role after completion of probationary period, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Two days’ work from home schedule. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

This role is classified as an Essential Remote Position. During declared emergencies or crisis events, the incumbent is required to continue duties remotely to ensure business continuity. Employees in this role must remain accessible to leadership, support critical departmental functions, and maintain operations until normal on-site activities resume.

Hiring Range: $106,000 - $112,000 annually. Commensurate based on education and experience.

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Four or more (4+) years of benefits and leave administration experience

Skills:

• Diligence and accuracy
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Strong customer service-focused interpersonal skills
  • Computer skills, including Microsoft Office and Oracle Cloud
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities

Preferences:

• Eight or more (8+) years of experience in benefits and leave administration
• Supervisory experience managing direct reports
• Deferred compensation experience
• Lead Request for Proposal (RFP) experience
• Professional Certification – PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, CEBS, CPSP

Essential Functions:

• Supervises human resource programs and policies, which include staffing, benefits, and leave programs
• Coordinates and directs the activities of employees within workgroups
• Acts as a subject matter expert for Benefits, Retirement, Deferred Compensation, FMLA, ADA, state leave programs, and Workers’ Compensation
• Serves as a health and welfare and retirement plans fiduciary
• Provides research and analysis on existing programs, policies, and/or practices
• Makes recommendations based on analysis and assists in implementing solutions
• Ensures accuracy and quality of routine administration
• Analyzes and resolves complex benefits administration issues, interprets benefits policies and plan provisions, and applies advanced knowledge of health, retirement, and leave programs while providing guidance to staff and stakeholders.
• Provides input on budget matters within the department
• Serves as project lead on key initiatives within the discipline
• Reviews complex or sensitive benefits cases with staff and provides recommendations to ensure consistent and compliant resolution.
• Coaches and mentors team members on benefits administration processes, problem-solving, and customer service best practices.
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions:

• Serve as a key contributor in Total Rewards Strategy by participating in the Request for Proposal process for benefits partners

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at facstaffada@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.

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The benefits supervisor is responsible for the strategic oversight and day-to-day administration of the University’s health, welfare, and retirement plans, with a primary focus on specialized leave management. This role leads the benefits and leaves teams, ensuring high-level execution of benefits, FMLA, ADA, and Workers’ Compensation programs while maintaining regulatory compliance and operational efficiency.