Benefits Manager

Gosh Enterprises is a dynamic, rapidly growing company that oversees a family of brands: Charleys (850+ unit restaurant brand known worldwide for serving the #1 Philly Cheesesteak), BIBIBOP Asian Grill (award-winning, 80+ unit Korean-inspired fast casual concept), Lenny's Grill and Subs (Memphis-based 60+ unit chain serving high-quality deli and hot subs), Charleys Kids (a non-profit partnering globally to provide food, education, and mentorship to at-risk children), and Solar Planet (solar field advisory and installation services).

About the role

We're looking for a Benefits Manager with strong compensation experience to lead the design, administration, and continuous improvement of our benefits and pay programs. This role is critical in a multi-unit restaurant environment, where you'll balance the needs of hourly restaurant teams, salaried management, and corporate staff. You'll own health & welfare plans, retirement programs, leave administration, and compliance, while partnering closely with Compensation, Finance, and Operations on pay structures, bonus programs, and market competitiveness.

Responsibilities

• Benefits Management
  • Design, implement, and administer health, dental, vision, life, disability, and voluntary benefits programs across corporate and restaurant populations
  • Manage 401(k) or retirement plan administration, including compliance testing and vendor relationships
  • Oversee leave of absence programs (FMLA, ADA, state-specific leave laws) and workers' compensation coordination
  • Lead annual open enrollment strategy, communication, and execution
  • Manage broker and carrier relationships; lead RFP processes as needed
  • Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and other applicable regulations
  • Monitor benefits spend and partner with Finance on budgeting and renewal negotiations
• Compensation Support
  • Support job architecture, leveling, and pay structure design across corporate, field management, and restaurant hourly roles
  • Conduct market pricing and benchmarking studies; participate in industry salary surveys (e.g., NRA, WorldatWork, restaurant-specific surveys)
  • Partner with HR and Operations leaders on pay equity analysis, minimum wage compliance across jurisdictions, and multi-state pay practices
  • Support annual merit increase and bonus planning cycles
  • Assist in designing incentive programs for restaurant management (GMs, AGMs) and multi-unit leaders
  • Ensure compliance with FLSA classification and evolving wage & hour laws relevant to the restaurant industry
• General
  • Serve as a subject matter expert for employees and HR business partners on benefits and pay questions
  • Analyze utilization, trends, and costs to recommend program improvements
  • Maintain and audit data integrity within HRIS/benefits administration systems
  • Create clear, digestible communications for a workforce that spans corporate and hourly restaurant employees
  • Stay current on restaurant industry trends, minimum wage changes, and regulatory shifts affecting multi-state operators

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 5+ years of progressive experience in benefits administration, with meaningful hands-on compensation experience
• Multi-state, multi-unit experience strongly preferred (restaurant, retail, or hospitality industry a plus)
• Working knowledge of ERISA, ACA, FLSA, FMLA, and state-specific wage & hour laws
• Experience with HRIS and benefits administration platforms (e.g., ADP, UKG, Paylocity, Workday)
• Strong Excel/analytical skills; comfort with compensation benchmarking tools and salary survey data
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex programs into simple, employee-friendly language
• CEBS, CCP, or PHR/SHRM-CP certification a plus

Benefits

• Competitive salary + bonus
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid vacation and personal days
• Short-term disability and voluntary life insurance
• Tuition and wellness reimbursement
• Ongoing professional development

Location: On-site – Columbus, Ohio. FLSA Status: Exempt. Reports to: People Services Leader.