Benefits Manager

The Benefits Manager will lead the design, strategy, and administration of Cox's medical, dental, and voluntary benefits programs, ensuring they align with company objectives. This role also involves managing vendor relationships, ensuring legal and regulatory compliance, and driving continuous improvement through data analysis and market trends, while providing expert consultation and communication to leadership and employees across the organization.
Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the operationalization of strategy and administration of Cox's medical, dental, and voluntary benefits for our active, LTD, and retired populations, ensuring alignment with company objectives and employee needs.
• Partner with external vendors on day-to-day benefits operations, escalations and resolution of issues, and provide input for vendor negotiations based on vendor performance as well as identifying opportunities for vendor relationship optimization.
• Address and resolve complex claims and escalated issues, collaborating with internal resources, vendors, and external partners to ensure efficient resolution.
• Manage plan marketing and communications to internal stakeholders and employees, ensuring clear understanding and effective use of benefits offerings.
• Ensure plans comply with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements, including maintaining up-to-date plan documents, completing required audits and governmental filings, addressing legal inquiries, and responding to changing legislation.
• Evaluate the plan against peer organizations, monitor trends, and solicit employee feedback to ensure alignment with Cox's rewards philosophy and values.
• Develop and deliver comprehensive benefits presentations to employees at all levels of the organization.
• Partner with cross-functional teams on the analysis, planning, and communication of benefits integration during acquisitions and divestitures.
• Serve as a key stakeholder on benefits-related projects and system updates (e.g., Open Enrollment, ACA compliance, Workday updates, etc.)
• Develop actionable recommendations for optimizing benefits offerings based on internal and external data analysis.
• Monitor current market trends and industry developments to identify opportunities for new benefits offerings and program enhancements.
• Track plan performance and funding, identify cost-saving opportunities, and implement strategies to ensure long-term financial sustainability of the benefits plan.
• Provide expert consultation and guidance to organizational leadership on core benefits-related matters to support informed decision-making.
• Lead the execution and management of core benefits programs enterprise wide.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business, human resources management, or a related discipline and 6 years' experience in a related field. The right candidate could also have a different combination, such as a master's degree and 4 years' experience; a Ph.D. and 1 year of experience; or in lieu of a degree, 10 years' experience in a related field.
• Hands on benefits plans or compensation experience.
• Experience using HR systems (WorkDay, PeopleSoft, Oracle, etc) to administer benefits, preferably Workday.
• Thorough understanding of state and federal regulations related to benefit plans (COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, ERISA).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Proven project management experience with exceptional organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong data analysis and problem-solving experience with proven ability to organize and analyze data, and present to customers.
• Strong customer service orientation with excellent verbal and written communication skills, ensuring clear, effective interactions with employees and stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment, with a strong track record of identifying solutions and navigating complex issues.
• Strategic thinker with strong attention to detail.

Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.
USD 90,100.00 - 150,100.00 per year
Compensation:
Compensation includes a base salary of $90,100.00 - $150,100.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.
Benefits:
The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company's needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.
Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.