Benefits Manager

As a leader in the HR team and benefits subject matter expert, the Benefits Manager will be responsible for the administration of active and retirement benefits, wellness, and retirement programs. Benefits will include Health and Welfare plans such as insured and self-funded Medical, Stop Loss, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, EAP, Voluntary Benefit Programs, and 401(k). This position is a "hands-on" manager which will collaborate with the Payroll team as well as third-party consultants, administrators and carriers to ensure smooth enrollments, changes, and compliance. The Benefits Manager will lead and develop a small team as well as provide exemplary customer service and education to team members and HR business partners in the administration of benefits, wellness and retirement plans.

Responsibilities

• Manages the regional company benefits options to ensure competitive and cost-effective employee value proposition by evaluating, analyzing and recommending changes; acts as key point of contact with consultants, TPAs and vendors.
• Manages benefits compliance under federal, state and local legal requirements, including testing, reporting, tax filings, disclosures and participant notices; oversees compliance with ERISA, HIPAA, medical child support orders, domestic relations orders, and COBRA.
• Manages and develops the benefit team by setting goals in line with the local and global HR department. Monitors their productivity and provide constructive feedback and coaching.
• Drives the annual benefits open enrollment process by analyzing benefits programs for effectiveness and opportunities for continuous improvement. Leads initiatives such as physical, mental and financial well-being programs, and systems enhancements. Prepares and presents options to leadership to earn their support throughout the decision-making process. Creates, improves, and executes annual benefits open enrollment materials and implements all changes in our systems.
• Leads the team in daily administration of all benefit plans, including data transfer to external vendors, plan providers, auditors and consultants; reviews and approves invoices related to benefits administration; schedules expenditures through purchase orders. Also, resolves benefit issues by identifying, researching and resolving the concerns.
• Works with HR leaders and vendors to organizations benchmarking state-of-the-art practices and collect data from internal sources on our benefits, and staying abreast of new legislation to strategically analyze our benefit plans and make strategic recommendations to leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in a related field with 10 years responsibility for Benefits, 3 of which must include execution of benefits changes and supervision of others.
• PHR and/or CEBS certification preferred, and travel is estimated at 10%.
• Experience with benefit plan RFPs, plan design changes, and significant benefit change management
• Experience completing legally-required reporting and disclosures (e.g., 5500s, SPDs, SARs, 1095's, non-discrimination testing)
• Requires solid working knowledge of COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA and PPACA
• Strong communication, organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills. Attention to detail is critical
• Demonstrated process orientation and attention to detail with the ability to accurately and efficiently enter and audit data
• Excellent math and analytical skills required with ability to evaluate and make decisions based on facts and trends
• Independent worker and must be able to regularly exercise discretion, handle conflict and be firm when required
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality of protected and sensitive data
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products; expert Excel skills required
• Prior experience with robust Payroll or HRIS required
• Merger and Acquisition experience is preferred.
• Experience working with unions and benefit design and costing during negotiations is a plus.

• Compensation and Incentive plans
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance effective day 1
• Paid Time Off in addition to personal days and holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Wellbeing fund
• Flexible hybrid work arrangements
• 401(k) with company match
• Education Assistance Program
• Career development and advancement opportunities
• Support for Community Involvement