Manager, Benefits

Reporting to the Senior Director Total Rewards & Wellness, this role ensures benefit offerings are competitive, compliant, and aligned with the organization's Total Rewards strategy while delivering an exceptional employee experience.

Responsibilities

• Support the Senior Director in developing and executing a comprehensive benefits and wellness strategy aligned with organizational goals and workforce needs.
• Manage the administration of all employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, prescription, life, disability, retirement, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, commuter benefits, employee assistance programs, COBRA administration, voluntary benefits, and wellness initiatives.
• Evaluate benefit utilization, claims data, market trends, benchmarking, and employee feedback to recommend program improvements.
• Support annual benefits planning, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Assist in developing innovative benefit offerings that enhance employee attraction, retention, and wellbeing.
• Administer defined contribution retirement plans, coordinate eligibility, enrollments, distributions, and employee education.
• Partner with retirement providers, fiduciary advisors, and consultants.
• Support annual audits, nondiscrimination testing, Form 5500 preparation, and fiduciary governance.
• Assist with retirement committee administration and documentation.
• Oversee federal, state, local, and organizational leave programs, including FMLA, ADA, paid family leave, military leave, disability programs, workers' compensation coordination, and other leave policies.
• Coordinate the interactive process for reasonable accommodations, review medical documentation, and facilitate accommodation determinations.
• Partner with managers, employees, Legal, and third-party administrators to ensure compliant leave administration.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex leave, accommodation, and return-to-work cases.
• Coordinate employee wellness initiatives and campaigns, manage wellness vendor relationships, and promote preventive health and wellbeing resources.
• Measure participation and program effectiveness, recommend enhancements based on utilization and employee feedback.
• Support annual wellbeing planning and communications.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, Section 125, IRS regulations, retirement plan requirements, and applicable state and local laws.
• Maintain plan documents, summary plan descriptions, policies, and required notices.
• Coordinate annual regulatory filings and reporting, lead benefits-related compliance audits, and monitor legislative changes.
• Develop and manage the annual Open Enrollment project plan, coordinate vendor timelines, and oversee benefit elections and system configuration.
• Develop employee communication materials and coordinate education sessions.
• Evaluate enrollment outcomes and recommend improvements.
• Manage relationships with benefit vendors and consultants, monitor vendor performance, and participate in vendor selection and RFP processes.
• Support contract negotiations and renewals, monitor benefit costs, and identify cost containment opportunities.
• Assist with annual benefits budgeting and forecasting.
• Oversee benefits-related HRIS workflows, ensure accurate benefits configuration, and support system testing and implementation of benefit changes.
• Develop and analyze benefits dashboards and metrics, monitor enrollment, utilization, participation, leave, and cost trends.
• Prepare executive reports and recommendations, utilizing analytics to support strategic decision-making.
• Oversee enrollments, life events, qualifying events, and terminations, review and approve benefit transactions, and resolve complex employee benefit issues.
• Ensure timely processing of benefits changes, develop standardized procedures, and continuously improve operational efficiency.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive benefits policies, procedures, and administrative guidelines.
• Lead benefits education initiatives for employees, managers, and People Experience staff.
• Manage dependent eligibility audits and carrier reconciliation activities.
• Oversee benefits invoice reconciliation and premium accuracy.
• Evaluate emerging trends in benefits, wellbeing, and Total Rewards to recommend innovative programs.
• Develop annual benefits scorecards and executive dashboards.
• Ensure all benefits programs reflect the organization's commitment to equity, inclusion, employee wellbeing, and exceptional service.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Five+ years of progressively responsible experience in employee benefits, retirement administration, leave management, and Total Rewards.
• Experience administering health and welfare plans, retirement plans, leave programs, and wellness initiatives.
• Experience managing benefits vendors, brokers, consultants, and third-party administrators.
• Experience with HRIS platforms (e.g., UKG), benefits administration systems, and benefits reporting.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel.
• Strong problem-solving and conflict resolution skills using empathetic interpersonal and communication skills.

Schedule

This position is on a hybrid schedule with the flexibility to work remotely 3 days per week, subject to change.

Pay

$80,000 - $90,000 per year

Benefits

• Paid time-off
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Medical/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Gym Reimbursement
• Parental Leave
• Employee Learning Center