Benefits Financial Planning Specialist / Administrative Associate I

Working/Functional Title

Benefits Financial Planning Specialist

Position Summary

The Benefits Financial Planning Specialist provides advanced financial analysis, modeling, and decision support to ensure the long?term financial sustainability and strategic design of Michigan State University’s employee benefit programs. This role supports benefits budgeting, financial planning, contracting, and leadership decision?making across health, prescription drug, dental, and related benefit plans.

Salary

The salary range for this position is fixed at $82,685 – $91,600. Final compensation will be determined based on relevant experience within this range.

Remote Work Capability

This position is based in East Lansing, Michigan, on the campus of Michigan State University.  The position allows for a fully remote work schedule if desired.  All work schedules are assessed for impact to the work outcomes of the individual, team, and department – and must be pre-approved by the supervisor.

What You’ll Do

As the Benefits Financial Planning Specialist, you will:

• Lead benefits budgeting and ongoing financial monitoring, including cost reporting, rate forecasting, and trend analysis for health, prescription drug, dental, and related plans.
• Develop multi?year financial models, dashboards, and advanced analyses using enrollment, claims, and market data to support Total Rewards and HR strategic planning.
• Deliver customized financial analysis and modeling to support leadership decision?making, HR strategy, and collective bargaining preparation.
• Provide financial and strategic support for benefits contracting activities, including RFP and vendor evaluations, with a focus on cost competitiveness, vendor performance, and plan design alignment.
• Monitor, validate, and analyze benefits data to support OPEB valuation, fiscal year?end close, audits, reconciliations, and regulatory and compliance reporting.
• Collaborate closely with HR Finance, the MSU Controller’s Office, Central Finance, procurement partners, consultants, and vendors.
• Represent HR on university committees, working groups, and project teams, and remain current on healthcare, benefits, and regulatory trends.

What We’re Looking For

• Ability to perform advanced financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and multi?year modeling to inform strategic benefits decisions and long?term financial sustainability.
• Strong understanding of employee benefit financing, healthcare cost drivers, insurance principles, and plan design considerations within complex organizations.
• Demonstrated skill in analyzing large, complex datasets and translating technical information into clear, decision?ready insights through models, dashboards, and reports.
• Proven capability to support leadership decision?making, long?range planning, and collective bargaining through customized financial analysis and scenario modeling.
• Effective collaborator and communicator who can convey complex financial concepts to diverse stakeholders while navigating ambiguity, exercising sound judgment, and applying best practices.

Why Join Us

At Michigan State University, you’ll play a vital role in shaping benefit programs that support a diverse and dynamic workforce. This position offers the opportunity to influence institution?wide decisions, engage in meaningful cross?campus collaboration, and contribute to innovative, data?informed benefits strategies at one of the nation’s leading public universities.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, Data Science, Human Resources, or a closely related field; five to eight years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in benefits finance, benefits administration financial analysis, budget administration, or a related analytical or financial discipline; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

Experience supporting the administration or financial operations of group employee benefit plans, including health, prescription drug, or dental insurance. Technical knowledge of insurance concepts, benefit funding mechanisms, and employee benefit plans in a governmental or higher education environment. Experience applying accounting principles and preparing or interpreting financial reports. Demonstrated ability to work independently as an organized, resourceful professional with strong attention to detail, consistent follow?through, and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Resume

Cover Letter

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Website

https://hr.msu.edu/

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.