Senior Manager, Benefits (Hybrid)

Company Description

At Lakeshore, we create innovative learning materials and world-class guest experiences for teachers, parents and children. Since 1954, we’ve grown into a global community—with a thriving e-commerce business, multiple catalogs, over 50 stores, a peerless national sales force, plus international offices that support our preeminent supply chain division. But today we’re working better, smarter and faster than ever—and setting our sights even higher. We’re building an infrastructure designed for scalability, embracing data-driven decision-making and using technology to improve efficiency and ensure the best tools for the best work. Most importantly, we continue to invest in a diverse team of inquisitive top talent who fuel each other’s passions and curiosity, take risks, try new things and believe that every new day brings opportunities for growth.

Job Description

Benefits are more than a line item in a compensation package—they’re one of the most tangible ways we show our people they matter. As Senior Manager, Benefits, you’ll lead a close-knit team to design, deliver and continuously improve the benefits experience for 3,000+ Lakeshore employees across the U.S., Canada and Asia. You’ll bring both the strategic lens to evaluate what we offer and the operational rigor to make sure it runs flawlessly—from open enrollment to daily employee questions.

A day in the office looks like this: 

• Leading and developing a team of three Benefits professionals, setting clear expectations, coaching toward growth and holding the team accountable for delivering accurate, responsive service to employees at every level
• Owning day-to-day administration of all benefit plans—self-funded medical, dental, vision, FSA/HSA, 401(k) and supplemental coverage—ensuring enrollments, changes, COBRA and leave-related premiums are processed correctly and on time
• Serving as the primary point of contact for benefit carriers and our broker, managing relationships, and escalating or resolving coverage issues with urgency and care
• Leading the annual evaluation of Lakeshore’s benefits offerings—benchmarking internally and externally, identifying gaps and presenting clear recommendations to leadership for the U.S. and our international locations
• Overseeing leave-of-absence administration end to end, keeping timekeeping, documentation and premium collection aligned with federal, state and local leave laws
• Planning and executing open enrollment and other benefits events, coordinating across HR, carriers and communications to deliver a smooth, employee-centered experience
• Leading the financial management of benefit programs by analyzing claims experience, healthcare cost trends, utilization patterns and plan performance.
• Partnering with brokers, carriers, TPAs and internal stakeholders to optimize plan design, control costs, mitigate risk and support data-driven benefits strategy and budgeting decisions.

Qualifications

Got the skills and experience? Here’s what we’re looking for:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business or a related field
• 8+ years of progressive benefits administration experience, including ownership of health, retirement and leave programs
• 4+ years directly managing people, with a track record of developing team members and delivering results through others
• Hands-on experience administering benefits in an HRIS or benefits platform (Workday, UKG or similar)
• Working knowledge of relevant compliance requirements, including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, FMLA and applicable state leave laws
• Strong communicator who can translate complex plan details clearly for employees, carriers and senior leadership alike
• Experience managing carrier and broker relationships, including contract renewals and issue resolution
• Ability to work on-site at our Carson, California, headquarters on a hybrid schedule

Preferred:

• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR or SPHR certification
• Experience administering benefits across multiple countries (Canada and/or Asia-Pacific)
• Exposure to an HCM implementation or benefits system migration
• Familiarity with self-funded or level-funded health plan structures

What sets you apart:

• You make complexity feel manageable—for your team, for employees asking hard questions, and for leadership weighing big decisions
• You build trust quickly with vendors and internal partners alike, and you know when to push back and when to align
• You’re the kind of leader who spots a gap before it becomes a problem and already has a plan when you raise it
• You hold a high bar for accuracy without letting it slow you or your team down

Additional Information

<