Benefits Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Benefits Manager leads the design, implementation, communication, and administration of the company’s U.S. health and welfare and retirement programs. The role provides consultative support to Human Resources, leaders, and employees on benefit plans, policies, regulatory requirements, and complex claims or administration issues. This position recommends benefit solutions aligned with the company’s business and talent objectives and maintains financial and operational oversight of vendor billing, employee contributions, benefit data, and administration systems.

• Lead the design, development, implementation, and ongoing administration of employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, wellness, 401(k), flexible spending accounts, and voluntary benefits.
• Manage relationships with benefit providers, consultants, brokers, and service administrators. Negotiate contracts and evaluate vendor performance, service quality, and cost effectiveness to deliver value to the organization and employees.
• Analyze plan coverage, utilization, market practices, employee needs, and industry trends. Recommend benefit strategies, policies, and programs that support the company’s business objectives and ability to attract and retain talent.
• Develop and execute clear, multi-channel communication strategies that help employees understand and effectively use their benefits.
• Oversee compliance with applicable federal and state benefit regulations, reporting obligations, and filing requirements. Partner with brokers, consultants, and vendors to support timely and accurate Affordable Care Act reporting, Form 5500 filings, Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Department of Labor requirements, audit responses, and other benefit-related obligations.
• Identify compliance risks and communicate material concerns, required actions, and potential business impacts to senior management in a timely manner.
• Maintain leave-of-absence policies and processes to support compliance, consistent administration, appropriate benefit continuation, and effective employee and manager communications.
• Lead annual open enrollment for benefit and 401(k) programs, including project planning, communications, system configuration and testing, vendor and consultant coordination, reporting, and issue resolution.
• Provide guidance on escalated employee benefit and claims matters and coordinate with vendors and internal partners to resolve issues appropriately and efficiently.

• Thorough knowledge of benefit administration and applicable federal and state requirements, including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and the Affordable Care Act.
• Experience supporting interactions, filings, audits, or inquiries involving the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Department of Labor.
• Strong vendor, consultant, and broker management skills, including contract negotiation, performance oversight, and issue escalation.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex benefit matters clearly and confidently to employees and leaders at all levels.
• Strong financial and analytical capabilities, including the ability to analyze benefit costs, identify trends, evaluate profit-and-loss and budget impacts, and prepare actionable reports for Human Resources and Finance.
• Demonstrated project management, organizational, and complex problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Sound independent judgment, discretion, and a demonstrated ability to protect confidential and sensitive information.
• Strong service orientation and the ability to build effective internal and external working relationships.
• Proficiency with human resources information systems, benefit administration platforms, and Microsoft Office applications, with advanced Excel skills preferred.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required.
• Minimum of ten years of progressively responsible benefits experience, including broad knowledge of benefit strategy, compliance, administration, and operations.
• Experience managing benefit vendors, consultants, and brokers required.
• Experience supporting a fast-paced, complex organization preferred.
• Professional certification or specialized coursework in employee benefits, human resources, or a related field preferred.

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