Benefits Manager

Job Description

Crowell & Moring LLP is an international law firm with offices in the United States, Europe, MENA, and Asia that represents clients in litigation and arbitration, regulatory and policy, and transactional and corporate matters. The firm is internationally recognized for its representation of Fortune 500 companies in high-stakes litigation and government-facing matters, as well as its ongoing commitment to pro bono service and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Job Summary

The Benefits Manager is responsible for the management and administrative oversight of the firm’s benefits (domestic and international) and well-being programs including policies and practices. The incumbent will partner with key stakeholders to align benefits with business objectives, ensuring programs are competitive and attract, motivate, and retain high performing talent.

Job Responsibilities

• Together with Benefits Administrator, will administer programs including but not limited to medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, health savings accounts, pre-tax transportation, life/AD&D, disability, well-being, backup care, and worker’s compensation.
• Acts as a subject matter expert on all issues relating to benefits administration, providing interpretation of benefit policies and providing guidance in administering procedures.
• Researches complex benefits administration problems and recommends resolutions based on plan interpretation and impact on administration. 
• Ensures benefit plan compliance with local, state and federal regulations including periodic review of plan documents, auditing, preparing required compliance reporting, and disseminating required employee notices.
• Designs compelling benefits communication strategy; identify opportunities and gaps and partner with different stakeholders to develop communication plans.
• Establishes and maintains strong partnerships with vendors and brokers.  Manages performance standards to ensure the firm’s administrative needs are being met.
• Continually monitors current and emerging market trends for benefit programs and their delivery, and provides recommendations to HR Director and CHRO.
• Maintains and distributes utilization and cost summary reports for management on all benefit plans.
• Leads the annual open enrollment process, development and dissemination of benefits communications, and scheduling of on-site benefits information sessions.
• Assists with management of the firm’s well-being program through frequent monitoring of participation and results. Develops and modifies communications and activities to meet the established goals of the firm, well-being committee and needs of participants.
• Develops, monitors and manages benefits and well-being budget including completing monthly variance reports and approving all applicable invoices.
• Oversees system design, development and administration of Human Resources related software and databases in the areas of responsibility. Ensures efficiency and data integrity through consistent monitoring, testing and auditing.

Qualifications

Education

The position requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources or directly related field. Equivalent training and experience may substitute for education.

Experience

The position requires a minimum of five (5) years of increasingly responsible, directly related experience that included at least two to three (2 to 3) years of direct supervision of others on a regular basis. Experience with complex Human Resources Management systems required. Demonstrated proficiency in laws and regulations governing benefits including Affordable Care Act, ERISA, HIPAA, IRS regulations, Section 125, COBRA and Workers’ Compensation.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to communicate persuasively, both orally and in writing, on a prepared and extemporaneous basis with attorneys, staff and external contacts.
• Ability to provide quality client service to both internal and external contacts. Requires patience, creativity and discretion.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and appropriately delegate work to others to meet deadlines, goals and objectives, develop skills and knowledge of others, build capacity and productivity of department.
• Ability to effectively supervise others, including hiring, training, assigning work, managing performance, counseling, and disciplining.
• Ability to analyze and interpret information from a variety of sources, apply critical and creative thinking to draw conclusions, and develop solutions to complex problems.
• Knowledge of standard accounting and/or budgeting principles and the ability to monitor and manage budgets within establi