Manager Benefits - Total Rewards Leadership

Overview

A Seasoned benefits leader delivering seamless, multi‑system healthcare administration.

Leads the administration, operations, and continuous improvement of systemwide benefit programs. Oversees vendor relationships, ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, and partners closely with the Director of Benefits to support strategic planning, governance, and execution of Dartmouth Health’s benefit offerings.

Responsibilities

Ensures all systemwide benefit programs are administered in alignment with plan design, organizational policy, and regulatory requirements. Monitors program effectiveness and identifies opportunities for improvement.

Provides day-to-day leadership for the Leave of Absence team, ensuring clear processes, operational consistency, and a strong service culture. Invests in staff development through coaching, training, and performance management.

Manages relationships with benefit vendors and third-party administrators, ensuring service excellence, contract adherence, and alignment with organizational expectations.

Continuously evaluates the efficiency, competitiveness, and compliance of benefit programs. Reviews policies and practices to ensure they reflect current legal and regulatory requirements.

Oversees analysis of benefit and leave data to identify trends, utilization patterns, risks, and opportunities to inform decision making and program enhancements.

Partners with the Director of Benefits on the design, governance, and administration of health, welfare, retirement, leave, and statutory benefit programs across the system.

Supports budgeting, cost analysis, and ROI evaluation for benefit programs. Reviews and approves vendor invoices and benefit-related expenditures.

Serves as a subject-matter expert to HR leadership and department leaders on benefit policies, programs, and best practices. Ensures clear communication and education regarding benefit offerings.

Ensures benefit systems, workflows, and procedures are well-documented, efficient, and consistently applied across Dartmouth Health.

Performs other duties as required or assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years of related experience, including 3 years of direct benefits management experience, with demonstrated ability to administer and manage comprehensive Benefit plans and programs.
• Strong knowledge of benefit plan administration and relevant regulations (e.g., ADA, FMLA, USERRA).
• Demonstrated leadership capability with experience managing teams, vendors, or complex benefit functions.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
• High attention to detail and ability to maintain confidential information.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgment and escalate issues appropriately

Required Licensure/Certifications

• None