Strategic Benefits Program Manager - Health & Welfare Portfolio

Responsibilities

• Manages assigned benefit program portfolios, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy and employee needs.
• Evaluates program effectiveness, vendor performance, employee experience, and cost implications.
• Conducts benchmarking, gap analysis, and research to support program recommendations.
• Develops program options, implementation plans, timelines, and leadership recommendations.
• Translates strategy into operational requirements, including impacts to systems, vendors, Shared Services, and communications.
• Serves as the Benefits COE liaison to Shared Services and ensures alignment between policy and operations.
• Owes policy, procedures, and compliance governance for assigned programs.
• Captures vendor, broker, and consultant interactions, including performance evaluation and implementation support.
• Provides subject matter expertise for employee communications and education strategies.
• Led cross-functional benefit projects and change initiatives.

Requirements

• Advanced knowledge of employee benefits programs and plan design across multiple domains.
• Strong understanding of either health & welfare or retirement/financial wellness programs.
• Ability to assess program effectiveness and develop strategic recommendations.
• Knowledge of benefits regulations and compliance requirements (e.g., ERISA, ACA, IRS, DOL, HIPAA).
• Strong vendor management and project management skills.
• Ability to translate complex concepts into operational and employee-facing guidance.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to influence across a matrixed organization without direct authority.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Health Administration, Public Administration, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in employee benefits, benefits consulting, or a related field.
• Experience supporting or managing benefit program design, vendor coordination, policy interpretation, compliance activities, or large-scale benefits initiatives.
• Experience working with cross-functional stakeholders including Shared Services, HRIS, Payroll, Finance, Legal, Communications, and external vendors or consultants.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects, analyze complex issues, and develop actionable recommendations.