STATEWIDE CHIEF BENEFITS OFFICER(SPSA, Opt. 1)

Position Summary

The State of Illinois is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to serve as its Statewide Chief Benefits Officer, overseeing one of the largest and most complex public-sector benefits programs in the country. This role is responsible for guiding the benefits strategy and operations that serve more than 400,000 members, including state employees, retirees, dependents, local government participants, and educators.

The Chief Benefits Officer leads the Bureau of Benefits within the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) and serves as the state’s primary executive responsible for group insurance, deferred compensation, health plan fiscal operations, risk management, and associated statewide benefit programs.

This is a mission‑critical position for a leader who thrives in large, complex organizations and has deep experience in health benefits strategy, government or large‑employer plan operations, vendor/contract management, and executive-level stakeholder engagement.

Position Essential Functions

• Subject to management approval, serves as Statewide Chief Benefits Officer, overseeing the Bureau of Benefits.
• Serves as the Director’s advisor on strategic, operational, legislative, and problem resolution issues.
• Meets with Agency officials, legislators, vendors, and representatives of employee groups to discuss and evaluate insurance problems or describe and interpret methods of operation.
• Serves as a full line supervisor.
• Prepares and submits reports to the Director on insurance trends and practices, and program goals and accomplishments.
• Reviews administrative rules and related laws for programs within the Bureau in cooperation with Benefits legal counsel.
• Responsible for risk management that directly impacts the strategic direction of Benefits’ statewide plan.
• Administers first and third-party worker's compensation claims.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college, preferably with courses in business, public administration, finance, insurance, healthcare administration, or a related field.
• Requires prior experience equivalent to four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers seven (7) years of professional leadership experience directing large, multi‑disciplinary benefits, insurance, or risk‑management operations, including strategic planning, program evaluation, and statewide or enterprise‑level administration.
• Prefers seven (7) years of professional experience in large employee group insurance programs or similarly complex public‑sector benefit structures, including vendor management, contract oversight, procurement processes, budget management, and administration of statutory advisory boards.
• Prefers seven (7) years of strong legislative and regulatory knowledge, including Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) (where applicable), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), Affordable Care Act (ACA), Medicare coordination, and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) benefit regulations, and policy development experience, including interpreting statutes and administrative rules, drafting policy or rule changes, and collaborating with legal counsel on compliance matters.
• Prefers seven (7) years of professional experience serving as a senior advisor to executive leadership, representing the employer in high‑level meetings with government officials, unions, vendors, or internal stakeholders, with authority to recommend or commit to courses of action.
• Prefers seven (7) years of professional experience overseeing enterprise-wide risk‑management functions, including worker’s compensation claims administration, litigation management, and development of risk‑mitigation strategies to support organizational objectives.
• Prefers seven (7) years of professional supervisory and staff‑development experience, including setting goals and priorities, evaluating performance, directing workload, resolving grievances, and recommending or imposing discipline.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This may require the ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires a valid driver’s license.
• Requires the ability to use agency technology/equipment (i.e., mobile phone, laptop, etc.) properly in accordance with information security awareness policies and confidentiality guidelines.
• Requires ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties.
• Per Executive Order 2018-07, requires engagement with Business Enterprise (BEP) contractors and subcontractors and support for the goals of the BEP program and the Fair Contracting Task Force when applicable.
• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

Central Management Services (CMS) is the State of Illinois’ central operational support agency, the team that keeps government running smoothly behind the scenes. We provide the essential services that enable more than 80 agencies, boards, and commissions to serve the people of Illinois effectively. As the backbone of state operations, CMS delivers high‑quality, reliable, and forward‑thinking services that help government programs work efficiently and meet the needs of residents statewide.

Our vision is to be the trusted partner dedicated to the success of the State of Illinois through service, optimization, and inclusion. Our mission is to be the accessible agency that delivers essential, effective, and efficient services to State agencies and the people of Illinois. Our core values are: Trusted, Strategic, Effective, Innovative, Responsive, and Inclusive. Through strategic leadership CMS plays a vital role in strengthening the effectiveness of Illinois State government.

CMS provides a broad portfolio of statewide services through specialized bureaus such as: Administrative Hearings • African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission • Statewide Benefits • Communication and Information • Diversity and Inclusion • Fleet Administration • Labor Relations • Operational Excellence • Statewide Personnel • Property Management • Strategic Sourcing • Surplus Equipment Control. 

CMS also operates internal service bureaus that support our agency’s own effectiveness and efficiency, including: Internal Audit • Finance and Management • Government Affairs • Human Resources • Legal Services • Strategic Transformation.

Professionals who join CMS become part of a mission‑driven organization committed to continuous improvement and public service excellence. CMS offers the opportunity to contribute to impactful statewide initiatives, collaborate with skilled and talented colleagues, shape strategic improvements across Illinois government, and support the operational foundation that allows state agencies to better serve the residents of Illinois. CMS is a place for people who want their work to matter; where innovation, service, and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do.

State of Illinois Benefits

As a State of Illinois employee, you receive a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans.
• Flexible work schedules (when available and dependent upon position).
• 10 -25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment).
• 12 days of paid sick time annually which carryover year to year.
• 3 paid personal business days per year.
• 13-14 paid holidays per year dependent on election years.
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System.
• Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan.
• Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP).
• Tuition Reimbursement Program and Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility.

For more information regarding State of Illinois Benefits follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx