Employee Benefits Sourcing Manager

Salary: $141,039.18 - $178,775.38 Annually
Location : Seattle, WA
Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Job Number: 2025JM24457
Department: DHR - Dept. of Human Resources
Division: Central Employee Svcs Div
Opening Date: 04/18/2025
Closing Date: 5/4/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: Z3 : KC Personnel Guidelines
Full- or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours/Week: 40 hours/week

Summary
The Central Employee Services Division (CESD) within the Department of Human Resources (DHR) seeks an experienced, dynamic, and motivated Employee Benefits Sourcing Manager.

The Employee Benefits Sourcing Manager will lead strategic sourcing and vendor management for all outside vendors that provide benefits coverage, well-being services, and related programs for county employees. The position will be responsible for ensuring these vendors are coordinating with internal county benefits, policy, operations, and administrative staff. This role supports the County's continued move to value-based healthcare purchasing and effective programs that support employee health and well-being.

The Employee Benefits Sourcing Manager is a member of the CESD leadership team and reports to the Director. The incumbent is expected to be a subject matter expert who understands the changing landscape of employee benefits, market trends, and purchasing practices, which drive greater healthcare value, equity, accessibility, cost effectiveness, and a positive experience for health plan members and the County.

Who We Are
The Department of Human Resources' mission is to provide strategic human resources leadership, modernized systems, customer-focused services, and tools designed to support the management, growth, and development of the King County workforce. The Central Employee Services Division is a division within DHR. Ensuring the health and safety of employees is the County's number one priority and the division provides integrated services in the areas of Safety and Claims (Workers' Compensation), Disability and Leaves, Balanced You (Well-being) and Employee Giving, Employee Assistance Program, Benefits Strategy, as well as Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Operations. As a self-insured entity in Washington State, the County self-administers its Workers' Compensation program.

The work we do requires strong connection and collaboration with peer departments and across the County. We deliver a broad range of programs that are both countywide and department specific, all through an anti-racist and pro-equity framework guided by our , the six pillars of our strategy, and the

Job Duties

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of this work. As the Employee Benefits Sourcing Manager, you will:

• Working with minimum supervision, manage benefits contracting process with multiple vendors for multiple benefits; research and draft technical specifications for Requests for Proposals (RFPs); coordinate with the County's Procurement section to ensure fair and open competition per county policies; involve outside stakeholders from labor and management as needed; and coordinate contract negotiation including legal and risk management review and negotiation of performance guarantees.
• Ensure conformance with relevant regulations and county policies, programs, and objectives (e.g., HIPAA-compliant business associate agreements; cybersecurity best practices and requirements, federal transparency requirements, and data-sharing arrangements involving benefits program vendors, consultants, and local & state agencies).
• Perform ongoing contract management duties, including processing change orders and annual vendor contract renewals; reviewing and directing actions as needed related to vendor plan provisions, processes, funding arrangements and transition issues; ensuring new regulations are reflected in contract documents; and proposing changes in the scope of work as needed.
• Serve as the escalation point for benefits administration issues. Assure vendor compliance with performance and financial guarantees; may facilitate meetings to review vendor performance and other issues; manage special issues associated with vendor contract terminations or extensions requiring waivers from procurement requirements.
• Support the Benefits Operations section during program implementation to ensure a smooth transition to production; coordinate program integration; work with benefits vendors to assist in the timely resolution of problems; monitor vendor services.
• Actively participate in research and strategic planning to explore and develop proposals for plan improvements consistent with stated county goals. Participate in presentations to management and union leaders regarding proposed program changes.
• Serve as a consultant to other Human Resources Department staff regarding solicitations for outside goods and services.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
We'd love to hear from those who have:

• A commitment to the long-term strategic vision and values of the County to positively impact the cost, quality, accessibility, and equity of health care services provided in the local market.
• Demonstrated experience in complex procurement and vendor management, with preference for demonstrated experience in employee health benefits (such as medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, life/disability, and well-being programs).
• Demonstrated ability to work in an environment of fast-paced strategic planning and negotiations with labor leaders, senior managers, elected officials, county leadership, and regional leaders.
• Knowledge of current trends, options, and best practices in employee health benefits and related procurement strategies.
• Familiarity with health plan compliance regulations such as ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and CAA is strongly desired.
• Strong listening skills and demonstrated ability to analyze options and to take the initiative to proactively recommend changes to current contract or procurement approaches.
• Advanced skill in developing complex requests for proposals for health and healthcare-related services, contract analysis and negotiation, problem solving, conflict resolution, and decision-making.
• Advanced skill in facilitating the implementation of complex benefits and well-being programs within a benefits operations unit.
• Advanced skill in gathering, analyzing and synthesizing data, report writing, communication, and effective presentation skills.
• Skill in working with a team of experts to develop, evaluate, and monitor complex performance-based contracts.
• Demonstrated ability in project management and ability to meet deadlines under pressure. Skill in handling multiple competing priorities.
• Experience in culturally diverse environments.
• Skill in effectively using current office technology and software.
• OR, any equivalent combination of experience and education that provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge, and ability to perform the job duties.

Minimum Qualifications

• Five years of increasingly responsible experience in health and welfare procurement sourcing and project management in the public sector; OR
• Any combination of education and experience that clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

Other Position Information
This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not overtime-eligible. Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule, every other Thursday, comprising a 40-hour workweek, normally 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. This position is not represented by a union and is classified as a Benefits Plan Manager: class code: 233701.

Supplemental Information
Who May Apply:
This recruitment is open to all applicants including current King County employees and the public and will be used to fill one career service position.

Selection Process
Forms and Materials Required

An online employment application completed at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs. The employment history should go back at least 10 years if you have 10 years of employment, or more to include all relevant experience. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. All relevant experience must be included in the application.

A cover letter no more than two pages summarizing how you meet the required experience, qualifications, knowledge, and job skills listed above. In addition, please share why you are interested in this position. This is a required application material. If a cover letter is not received, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be considered.

Applicants will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills. Initial screening will be based on a review of application materials. The most competitive candidates will be invited to participate in a series of one or more interviews.

For more information on this recruitment, please contact:
Jen Montoya, Senior HR Analyst, at
Teleworking Requirement
The work associated with this position is currently being performed predominantly through telework, complemented with onsite work and meetings as needed. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. Employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County has a robust collection of to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our , we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.