Human Resources Benefits Manager

The HR Benefits Manager oversees company benefits programs, leave management and 401k retirement plans. Reporting to the VP of Total Rewards, the HR Benefits Manager provides analysis, strategic guidance, and makes informed recommendations about benefits programs. This role will partner with internal and external stakeholders to optimize and continuously improve the benefits offerings, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and industry best-practices. Actively partners with benefits broker and insurance carriers to streamline benefits administration and employee communication.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Design, evaluate, and modify benefits policies to ensure that programs are current, competitive, cost effective and in compliance with legal requirements.
• In coordination with Leave Specialist, oversee the management of workers compensation cases.
• Proactively monitor benefit and leave reporting; collecting, analyzing and summarizing information and trends; Prepare ad hoc reporting as needed for business stakeholders.
• Manages all aspects of the 401k and nonqualified deferred compensation plans. Including the coordination of the audits, non-discrimination testing, compliance, employee and management communication
• Oversee leave management program, including short-term and long-term disability, FMLA, military and adoption leaves. Monitor claim status and resolve outstanding issues.
• Administer, direct, and review employee benefit programs, including the design and integration of benefit programs following mergers and acquisitions.
• Actively participate in the due diligence process focused on all employee benefit programs and the assessment of and comparison to our programs. Provides recommendation and an overview of the employee impact and cost impacts of such recommendations
• Lead annual renewal negotiations, vendor RFP's and Open Enrollment process.
• Fulfill all reporting requirements of all relevant government rules and regulations, including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and Affordable Care Act (ACA).
• Fulfill all benefit information needed for grants, certifications (for example CARF, JCHO, etc)
• Formulate policies, procedures and programs for benefits and risk management.
• Direct strategy, preparation and distribution of written and verbal information to inform employees of benefits. Including communication strategy for New Hires, Open Enrollment and ongoing employee education.
• Identify and implement benefits to increase the quality of life for employees by working with brokers and researching benefits issues.
• Mediate between benefits providers and employees, such as by assisting in handling employees' benefits- related questions or taking suggestions.
• Develop methods to improve policies, processes, and practices, and recommend changes to management as it relates to benefits
• Manage all benefit interfaces into UKG to ensure maximum efficiencies and enable full 360 communication processes
• Lead, mentor and develop a team of direct reports by setting goals, monitoring performance and foster professional growth.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
Supervise benefits and leave team