Senior Manager, Benefits

At American Family Insurance, you'll help protect and grow what matters most—people. Join us and help shape a benefits experience that supports employees (and their families) so they can succeed at work and beyond.

We're hiring a Senior Manager, Benefits Administration to lead benefits strategy, daily operations, and continuous improvement across our programs. You'll own annual enrollment, ensure smooth and compliant administration year-round, and lead a team focused on delivering a standout employee experience.

You'll collaborate with Business HR, Payroll, vendors, and business leaders to simplify processes, strengthen partnerships, and improve outcomes through technology and operations. You will report to the Director of Total Rewards.

Position Compensation Range:

$113,000.00 - $194,000.00

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Compensation may vary based on the job level and your geographic work location. Relocation support is offered for eligible candidates.

Primary Accountabilities 

Lead with influence and expertise: Contribute as a member of the division/department leadership team. Communicate and strengthen our mission, vision, values and policies through daily leadership. 

Build a performance-driven team culture: Create a collaborative, inclusive environment rooted in trust and transparency. Partner with team members to set clear goals, provide feedback, complete performance assessments, and support ongoing development. 

Benefits strategy and administration oversight: Design, recommend, and implement benefit programs, while overseeing daily administration for health, welfare, retirement, and voluntary benefits. 

Operational accuracy: Ensure accurate and efficient execution of benefits processes including eligibility, enrollments, life event changes, and billing reconciliation. 

Compliance and controls: Maintain operational controls and ensure compliance with applicable regulations, including audit readiness and adherence to procedures. 

Partnership and data integrity: Partner with Payroll, HRIS, and vendors to ensure data integrity and seamless benefits operations across systems. 

Cost and plan performance analysis: Prepare qualitative and quantitative benefit plan cost analyses to monitor performance and support development of cost-effective programs. Provide recommendations for enhancements in consideration of benefits goals. 

Annual enrollment leadership: Lead strategy of annual enrollment—develop timelines, manage system configuration, coordinate vendor activities, and oversee testing and readiness. Partner with Communications and HR teams to deliver a clear, engaging employee enrollment experience; monitor outcomes and identify improvements for future cycles. 

Vendor performance management: Oversee third-party administrators (including external benefit administrator vendor) to ensure compliance with policies, service level agreements, and all applicable laws and regulations.

 

Process improvement, documentation, and audits: Evaluate and revise internal processes to reduce costs and increase efficiency. Ensure procedures are documented and maintained. Perform plan audits and audit benefits functions performed by other benefits/HR staff; establish audit practices including required notices/filings and ERISA appeals. 

Continuous improvement mindset: Evaluate benefits administration processes for efficiency, scalability, and employee experience. Implement best practices to simplify administration and improve employee understanding and access—applying data and employee f