Manager, Benefits

Job Overview & Responsibilities

The Manager, Benefits is responsible for the day-to-day administration, compliance, and continuous improvement of the Company’s employee benefit programs. This role oversees health and welfare benefits, leave programs, retirement plans, and wellness initiatives while serving as a subject matter expert for benefits related matters. The Manager, Benefits manages our benefit vendor relationships, renewals, open enrollment process, employee benefit inquiries and works with our brokers/advisors on claims processes and resolutions. This role partners closely with other members of the HR team, Payroll/Accounting, employees, vendors, and external agencies to ensure accurate administration, regulatory compliance, and positive employee experience. Works under only very general direction, independently determines and develops approaches to solutions. Frequent inter-company and external contacts, representing the company in the execution of this role.  

 

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

• Manage and administer the employee benefits program, including but not limited to health, dental, and vision plans, EAP, life insurance, short and long-term disability, 401(k) retirement plan and other voluntary program plans.
• Oversee the Company’s leave programs, and provide training and guidance to managers on benefits, leave processes, and compliance requirements.
• Manage benefits and leave administration platforms (including FMLA Manager and UKG Benefits Hub) including system configuration, testing, automation, and reporting. Identify system changes needed due to legal or contractual changes affecting benefits.
• Manage the annual benefits open enrollment process including strategy planning, system configuration, testing, communications, and employee support.
• Research and recommend benefit cost containment strategies and plan design enhancements.
• Responsible for the Company’s 401(k) program, including contribution file reconciliation, employee communications, annual audit, true-up process, and non-discrimination testing.
• Oversee the PPACA administration and benefit year-end reporting, including 1095-C/1094-C reporting and other applicable state reporting requirements.
• Manage benefit administration activities, including carrier file management, billing, reconciliation, auditing, and issue resolution.
• Coordinate benefits-related data exchange and serve as the primary liaison with Payroll and Accounting to ensure accurate deductions and payments.
• Ensure accurate enrollment, eligibility tracking, life event processing, and terminations across HRIS and vendor platforms.
• Manage the Company’s PTO program, ensuring alignment with leave policies, accurate tracking in HRIS, employee communications, and compliance with applicable state and local leave laws.
• Oversee the strategy planning, execution, and ongoing communication of the Company’s wellness program.
• Conduct benefits orientations as part of the new hire onboarding process and respond to candidate benefit inquiries.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with benefit carriers and broker/advisors.
• Coordinate and correspond with internal stakeholders and external agencies regarding benefits administration and compliance matters.
• Research and evaluate complex benefits and HR issues; recommend effective solutions and options.
• Participates in strategic planning for human resource functions and services; recommends goals and objectives and support the development and implementation of policies and procedures related to the Company’s benefit programs.
• Maintain in-depth knowledge and expertise in employee benefit programs, legislative developments, and industry best practices; make recommendations to ensure compliance and continuous improvement.
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable federal and state regulations including but not limited to COBRA, HIPPA, FMLA and related laws, to ensure compliance.
• Participate in team projects, training and handle other duties as assigned.

 

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 7-10 years of related HR experience with at least 5 years of benefits administration experience.
• At least 2 years of supervisory experience.
• Experience leading, developing and implementing employee benefit programs.
• Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) or Professional in Human Resources (PHR) preferred.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities (KSAs):

• Strong understanding of federal and state employee benefit laws (COBRA, HIP