People & Culture Business Partner / Lead Benefits Administrator
19 hours ago
Chicago
Job Description REPORTS TO: Vice President, People & Culture STATUS: Full-Time, Exempt Through artistic excellence coupled with innovative, relevant programming; initiatives to connect with and grow new audiences; engagement with communities to ignite creativity across Chicago; and a modernized Opera House that is the setting for truly great experiences, Lyric is leading the advancement of opera. This collaborative vision will deliver ever more exciting, thought-provoking and inclusive audience and community experiences – while increasing the gravitational pull of our art form, our company, and our city. The People & Culture Business Partner / Lead Benefits Administrator serves as both a strategic advisor and operational leader within the People & Culture team. In addition to providing business partner support to assigned departments, this role oversees HR Operations with a focus on benefits administration, compliance, audits, and reporting. The position ensures alignment of people strategies with organizational goals, delivers a high-quality employee experience, and safeguards adherence to legal, regulatory, and organizational requirements. This position directly supervises the Manager, People & Culture Operations. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Strategic Partnership • Partner with senior leaders and managers to design and execute people strategies that drive organizational effectiveness, talent alignment, and employee engagement., • Partner with the Vice President of People & Culture and senior management to develop action plans to transform culture and facilitate innovative employee experience solutions proactively to meet changing demands of the organization., • Provide coaching and consultation to leaders on workforce planning and change management., • Provide counsel to managers and employees on employee relations issues, conflict resolution, and policy interpretation., • Lead investigations into workplace concerns with discretion and compliance., • Partner with leaders to support goal setting, performance management, corrective action, and career development., • Promote an employee experience rooted in fairness, accountability, and trust. Benefits Administration & HR Operations Leadership • Serve as Lead Benefits Administrator responsible for the design, communication, and administration of all employee benefits programs, including health, welfare, retirement, and wellness initiatives., • Oversee HR Operations functions, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, as well as collective bargaining agreements., • Manage HR audits, regulatory filings, and reporting requirements (e.g., ACA, EEO-1, ERISA, 5500s, COBRA, Unions)., • Partner with Finance, Payroll and vendors to monitor benefits budgets, analyze utilization, and recommend plan design enhancements., • Ensure accurate HRIS and payroll data management in collaboration with HR and Finance teams., • Design and implement innovative Employee Wellness Programs., • Administer Workmen’s Compensation programs, ensuring accurate processing of claims, timely reporting, compliance with regulatory requirements, and effective coordination with employees, managers, and insurance providers., • Serve as primary HRIS Administrator responsible for system configuration, security, data integrity, and workflow optimization., • Maintain and update employee records in the HRIS to ensure accuracy and compliance with regulatory requirements., • Collaborate with Payroll and Finance to ensure seamless integration and accurate processing., • Develop, run, and analyze reports to support compliance, audits, workforce analytics, and leadership decision-making., • Lead HRIS projects, upgrades, and system improvements in partnership with IT and external vendors., • Lead HR reporting and analytics, providing insights on workforce trends, benefits utilization, and employee engagement., • Use data to identify opportunities for process improvement and cost savings., • Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required; Master’s degree or HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, CEBS) preferred., • 5+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 3 years in a benefits administration or HR Operations leadership role., • Demonstrated success managing HRIS platforms (e.g., ADP, Workday, UKG, Oracle, or similar)., • HRIS Migration experience a plus., • Strong knowledge of employment law, HR compliance, benefits design, and HR audit/reporting practices., • Mastery competency with health benefits including COBRA administration, retirement plan management, and payroll management, and administering unemployment claims., • Experience working in a unionized environment is preferred., • Demonstrated success managing benefits vendors, brokers, and consultants., • Supervisory experience required, with proven ability to coach and develop direct reports., • Excellent analytical, communication, and consultative skills with the ability to build trust across all levels of the organization., • Data Visualization and Storytelling a plus., • Strategic Thinking & Business Acumen, • Relationship Building & Influence, • Confidentiality & Professional Integrity, • Problem-Solving & Compliance Expertise, • Benefits & HR Operations Mastery, • Change Management & Adaptability, • Developing & Leading Others, • Ability to work weekends and evenings occasionally., • Ability to work in a fast-paced and demanding environment., • Ability to work a flexible schedule to meet business needs., • Ability to perform essential functions of the job with or without accommodations., • Sitting for extended periods. Application Deadline: Friday, September 19, 2025 (5:00pm CT) Job Classification: Full-time, Exempt Salary is $100,000-$115,000 Lyric Opera offers benefits including health, dental, vision 403B (no company match, 401(k) with company match, PTO (including sick, vacation, and personal days, and holidays), life/AD&D coverage, opportunities for professional development, and complimentary tickets. Lyric Opera of Chicago is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, parental status, socio-economic status, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We strongly encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. Powered by JazzHR sXPrgg8gbx