Benefits Manager I

Key Elements of Position

Reporting to the Head of Compensation and Benefits, you will lead the team responsible for the design, administration, compliance, communication, and continuous improvement of JPL's health and welfare, retirement, wellness, leave and accommodations programs.

This highly visible leadership role serves as a strategic advisor to senior leaders and partners closely with Human Resources, Caltech, Payroll, Finance, and external vendors to ensure programs remain competitive, compliant, cost-effective, and aligned with workforce strategies.

The successful candidate will balance strategic planning with operational excellence while leading a team that delivers exceptional service to employees and leaders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute JPL's benefits, leave, accommodation, and wellness strategies in alignment with benefits and rewards workforce objectives.
• Advise senior leadership on emerging trends, legislative changes, workforce needs, and market practices.
• Analyze internal and external data to evaluate program effectiveness, identify opportunities, and recommend enhancements.
• Partner with Caltech to lead the design, administration, and governance of health and welfare, retirement, pension, wellness, and leaves and accommodations programs.
• Evaluate plan performance, utilization trends, employee feedback, and financial outcomes to drive continuous improvement.
• Manage relationships with benefit providers, consultants, brokers, and third-party administrators.
• Oversee employee communications and education efforts that increase understanding of JPL's rewards offerings.
• Lead JPL's leave of absence and workplace accommodations programs, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
• Ensure consistent application of policies related to FMLA, CFRA, ADA, FEHA, pregnancy accommodations, workers' compensation coordination, and related regulations.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments affecting employee benefits, retirement plans, leaves, and accommodations.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, IRS, DOL, FMLA, CFRA, and other applicable regulations.
• Lead audits, reporting requirements, plan filings, and governance activities.
• Serve as a key representative to Benefits and Retirement Plan Oversight Committees.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of benefits, leave, and accommodations professionals.

Background + Capabilities

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience managing benefits, retirement, wellness, leave administration, and/or accommodations programs.
• 2+ years of people leadership experience, including managing and developing professional teams.
• Deep knowledge of health and welfare benefits, retirement plans, and leave administration.
• Significant experience managing complex leave and accommodation programs, including ADA, FEHA, FMLA, CFRA, disability, and return-to-work processes.
• Experience working in a large organization including managing sizable data interfaces and Center of Excellence roles and responsibilities.
• Strong knowledge of ERISA, IRS, DOL, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, and other applicable regulations.
• Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate data into actionable recommendations.
• Excellent executive presence, communication, and influencing skills.
• CEBS certification preferred.
• Experience working with Workday Benefits preferred.