The Benefits Manager is responsible for the overall strategy, administration, compliance, and continuous improvement of the Company's employee benefits programs. Serving as the organization's subject matter expert for benefits, this role leads the design, implementation, vendor management, financial oversight, and day-to-day administration of all benefit programs, including health and welfare plans, retirement plans, leave and disability programs, workers' compensation, and related employee benefit offerings.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Human Resources, the Benefits Manager partners with internal stakeholders, external vendors, brokers, and consultants to deliver competitive, cost-effective benefit programs that support the Company's business objectives while ensuring regulatory compliance and an exceptional employee experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the administration of all company-sponsored benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement plans, flexible spending accounts, COBRA, workers' compensation, leave programs, and other employee benefit offerings.
• Serve as the Company's primary benefits subject matter expert, providing guidance and support to employees, managers, Human Resources, payroll, and executive leadership.
• Develop and execute benefits strategies that align with the organization's compensation philosophy, talent strategy, and financial objectives.
• Evaluate, recommend, design, and implement new benefit programs and enhancements to existing plans based on market trends, employee needs, and business priorities.
• Lead annual renewal processes, negotiate with insurance carriers, brokers, consultants, and third-party administrators to secure competitive pricing, plan designs, and service levels.
• Manage relationships with benefit vendors and consultants, holding partners accountable for contractual obligations, service quality, and performance expectations.
• Analyze plan utilization, claims experience, employee participation, benchmarking data, and industry trends to identify opportunities for plan improvements and cost optimization.
• Develop financial analyses, projections, and recommendations to support benefit plan

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field required.
• Seven (7) or more years of progressive experience administering and managing employee benefits programs, including health and welfare plans, retirement plans, leave administration, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience serving as the primary owner of an organization's benefits function, including vendor management, broker relationships, annual renewals, and benefits strategy, strongly preferred.
• Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS), SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP, PHR/SPHR, or other relevant professional certification preferred.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating with insurance carriers, brokers, third-party administrators, and other benefit vendors.
• Strong understanding of employee benefit plan design, funding arrangements, cost management strategies, and benefits benchmarking.
• Experience managing annual open enrollment processes, employee communications, and benefits education initiatives.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint, and experience working with HRIS, payroll systems, and benefits administration platforms.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to independently manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Excellent analytical and financial skills with the ability to interpret claims data, utilization reports, cost projections, and market trends to develop recommendations.
• Experience reviewing vendor proposals, requests for proposal (RFPs), service agreements, and benefits contract language.
• Thorough knowledge of applicable federal and state laws governing employee benefit programs, including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, Section 125, Medicare, workers' compensation, and related Department of Labor and IRS regulations.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills with the ability to explain complex benefits information to employees, managers, and executive leadership.
• Strong customer service orientation with a commitment to delivering a positive employee experience.
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to maintain confidentiality while exercising sound judgment.