Benefits Manager

Job Description
The Benefits Manager serves as a key leader within the Shared Services team responsible for leading the administration of the organization’s benefits plans. This role will partner with the Director and Executive Leadership to help ensure competitive overall benefits strategies, oversee vendor relationships, ensure compliance, and mentor a high-performing benefits team.

They will lead the annual enrollment process, working with our third-party administrators to ensure accurate system configuration, testing, communications, and post-enrollment audits are completed within strict project timelines.

Primary Responsibilities:

Annual Enrollment and Vendor Renewals:
Lead the annual enrollment process. Provide all requirements to third-party administrator for new plan year, review and approve the enrollment rules, rates, website content, literature, system testing and auditing prior to annual enrollment launch. Oversee the creation of educational materials to help communicate benefits to coworkers. Conduct required post-enrollment audits to ensure no disruption to associates.
Regulatory Experience:
Comprehensive expertise in ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, 401(k) governance, and Department of Labor/IRS audit requirements. Work closely with external ERISA counsel on to ensure all plans remain in compliance as it applies to communications, amendments and plan documents.
Project Management:
Ability to manage programs and projects that may include internal teams (e.g. Payroll, HRIS, Legal) and external partners (e.g. benefits broker, administrator, and other vendors). Must understand complex benefits and compliance requirements to drive appropriate action and set-up and be able to adapt to quickly changing priorities, while maintaining highest level of accuracy and effectiveness.
Communications:
Responsible for the creation and oversight of communication pieces to ensure plan summaries and documents are updated within applicable communication tools and sites. Partner with members of Benefits team to develop a communication strategy to educate coworkers of the Company’s programs with newsletters, targeted emails, new hire orientation, etc. Work closely with internal teams to distribute benefits information, changes, deadlines, etc.
Vendor Management:
Responsible for maintaining effective relationships with all H&W vendors and ensuring performance and services meet expectations. Monitor and report potential trends which could result in coverage disruption for associates, or risk/liability for the Company. Ability to manage the life cycle of a vendor or benefits program change through effective project management with key stakeholders (vendor, broker, benefits administrator and internal teams).

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Human Resources, Benefits Administration
6+ years of hands-on benefits administration experience in a large, high-growth organization supporting all activities surrounding health, wellness, and retirement plans
Must have a working knowledge of government regulations that apply to benefit programs including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, 401(k) governance, and Department of Labor/IRS audit requirement
Experience with multi-state operations and EINS, along with self-funded programs/plans a plus
Experience working with cross-functional teams
Knowledge of HRIS and payroll processes, along with proficiency in Microsoft Office required.
Oracle experience desirable.
Ability to use HCM system to create benefits reports and metrics.
Advanced Excel skills, including functions, formulas, and pivot tables to analyze data and create reporting.
Exceptional written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills to deal effectively with all levels within the organization.
Partner with Leadership and Benefits Committee as applicable to manage fiduciary obligations by researching, evaluating, and drafting responses to ERISA eligibility and enrollment appeals from participants.
Proven project management skills with ability to manage multiple projects, initiatives, and deadlines concurrently.
Excellent presentation skills with proficiency in creating and delivering presentations and executive dashboards to various audiences including senior management and/or business leaders.
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
Self-directed, motivated, dependable, detail-oriented, and strong team player, with a continuous improvement mindset, along with ability to prioritize and execute multiple tasks and projects in a dynamic, deadline-oriented environment.
Self-starter and exceptional initiative