Benefits Manager

Benefits

Competitive Insurance: Health, vision, and dental coverage for you and your dependents
Health Plan Enrollment: Eligibility starts first of the month following completing one full month of employment
Paid Time Off: Competitive paid time off programs for employees (Vacation, Sick, Flexible)
Retirement Matching: 50% match on the first 6% of your contributions after 90 days
Paid Parental Leave: 4 weeks of paid leave for both birthing and non-birthing parents to bond with a new baby
Pet Insurance: Competitive coverage for your furry family members through ASPCA
Tuition Waiver: Enjoy a tuition waiver after 6 months of employment for you AND your immediate family offered

Responsibilities

• Administer health, welfare, and retirement benefits programs, handling processes, billing, deductions, and leave management
• Ensure compliance with regulations (e.g. ERISA, the Affordable Care Act, etc.) and mandatory notices
• Provide clear communication to employees and management about benefit program features, plans, and options
• Oversee relationships with vendors, including insurance and pension brokers and consultants
• Resolve benefit-related issues and respond to queries and requests in a timely manner
• Evaluate the efficiency and value of current benefit programs and make recommendations for improvement
• Collaborate with payroll and ensure that employer contributions and payroll deductions are processed accurately and in a timely manner
• Maintain and create records, reports, and documentation in accordance with federal, state, and provider regulations
• Establish/maintain a high performance team of professional, motivated and engaged staff utilizing effective training, performance management and career-development activities while leading them to achieve established business results and performance metrics
• Recognize and reward employee contributions and achievements

Qualifications

• HS Diploma or GED (required); Bachelor's degree in Business, Human Resources, or related field (preferred)
• Minimum of five (5) years progressive benefits experience (required)
• Specific experience in education, or other highly regulated field, and multi-site, multi-state environments (highly preferred)
• Strong working knowledge of: Federal, state, and local regulations related to health and welfare benefit plans and 401(k) retirement plans (especially ACA, ERISA, and state specific leave/disability regulations)
• Investigatory protocols, procedures, and best practices (e.g. Harassment, discrimination, etc.)
• Principles and procedures for benefits administration, organizational change management, project management, benefit platforms (PlanSource), and HRIS Systems (UKG)
• Auditing processes and procedures
• Record keeping, versioning, document retention and other administrative processes and procedures

Skills

• Actively look for ways to assist with employee's needs
• Understand the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand why they react as they do
• Identify complex problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions
• Present ideas in a clear and compelling manner, both verbally and in written format
• Exceptional listening and conflict resolution skills
• Intermediate level presentation communication skills
• Drive, and be accountable for, results in a fast-paced environment
• Intermediate level proficiency with productivity software (MS Office), HRIS (UKG), benefits platforms (PlanSource), and other enterprise-level software (Adobe DC, SharePoint, etc.)
• Ability and willingness to test own and other’s work
• Ability to identify and resolve system problems or defects
• Ability to use good judgment, problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information with discretion
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment where deadlines are essential and multiple projects are worked simultaneously
• Ability to gain, understand and apply information and data as it relates essential functions of the position
• Ability to foster long-term relationships with stakeholders