Benefits Education Trainer
State Universities Retirement System
Accounting & Finance
Champaign, IL, USA
Benefits Education Trainer
Build knowledge. Strengthen teams. Support transformation.
Location: Champaign, IL
Job Type: Full-time
Classification: Program Coordinator
Reports to: Director of Benefits Processing
If you are passionate about helping others learn, enjoy simplifying complex topics, and want to play a central role in organizational transformation, this position offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact.
What You’ll Do
As a Benefits Education Trainer, you will design and deliver high-quality training programs that equip staff with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to serve members accurately and efficiently. This role is especially critical as we continue implementing our new pension administration system and strengthen operational excellence across the organization.
You’ll work in a mission-driven public organization that values collaboration, innovation, and service, with strong benefits, stability, and meaningful work that supports members throughout their careers and retirement.
Training Design & Delivery
- Design, develop, and maintain training curriculum, materials, job aids, and reference guides
- Deliver engaging instructor-led and technology-supported training sessions
- Utilize multiple training methods and learning technologies, including a Learning Management System (LMS)
- Tailor content to various learning styles and levels of experience
- Develop onboarding programs in collaboration with Human Resources and team managers
Pension Administration System Training
- Partner with a Product Manager and project teams to develop and deliver system training
- Prepare staff for User Acceptance Testing (UAT), parallel testing, and go-live readiness
- support change readiness efforts through structured Organizational Change Management (OCM) activities
- Introduce new system functionality and reinforce understanding of enhancements
Operational Support & Coaching
- Coach and guide employees on operational protocols and best practices
- Partner with benefit teams to create and maintain standard operating procedures
- Assist in developing quality assurance guidelines and performance metrics
- Provide constructive feedback and support continuous improvement efforts
Evaluation & Continuous Improvement
- Conduct raining needs assessments
- Measure training effectiveness using evaluation tools and feedback mechanisms
- Maintain training records and provide reports to leadership
- Stay current on adult learning trends, pension legislation, and training best practices
- Continuously refine curriculum based on feedback, system updates, and process improvements
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Education, Human Resources, Organizational Development, Training & Development, Business, Communications or a related field
- Experience developing and delivering training
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience administering or utilizing a Learning Management System (LMS)
- Familiarity with ADKAR or similar Change Management frameworks
- Professional certification in training and development such as APTD, CPTD, or similar
- Experience developing and delivering training within benefits, pension, financial services, insurance, or public-section environments
- Experience supporting training for large-scale system implementations
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Ability to translate complex processes into clear, actionable learning content
- Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects
- Skill in analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Ability to work independently and exercise judgment in order to analyze and investigate a variety of questions or problems
- Strong facilitation and presentation skills
- Analytical mindset to assess learning gaps and operational trends
- Collaborative approach to cross-functional partnerships
- High level of professionalism and adaptability in a changing environment
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to train, coach, and provide constructive feedback
- Excellent time management and organizational skills
Work Environment & Compensation
- Full-time position based in Champaign, IL
- Fully in-office during initial training; potential hybrid schedule available afterward
- The starting salary range for this position is $68,393 – $75,233. This is a competitive salary, taking into consideration experience and internal equity. Highly-qualified candidates may be offered a salary higher than the above range.
- Standard 37.5-hour work week
Benefits That Matter
- State of Illinois insurance benefits including medical, dental, and vision
- Participation in the SURS retirement plan
- Paid vacation, sick leave, and 10 paid holidays
- 2 floating holidays after 6 months
- Paid parental leave after 6 months
- Flexible, professional work environment
- Free parking
- Find more details regarding the benefits SURS offers at: SURS Employee Benefits - SURS
About SURS
The State Universities Retirement System (SURS) administers retirement, disability, survivor, and death benefits for over 255,000 members across Illinois public higher education institutions. Founded in 1941, SURS manages more than $30 billion in assets and is committed to delivering accurate, timely, and compassionate service to members throughout their careers and lives.