Benefits Manager

Introduction

Job Summary:

The Benefits Manager is responsible for management of the organization's employee benefits programs, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives, employee needs, and industry standards. This position provides leadership and oversight for the benefits team, driving continuous improvement in benefits offerings, ensuring compliance with regulations, and managing relationships with vendors and stakeholders. Additionally, the Benefits Manager plays a key role in managing, mentoring, and developing a team of benefits professionals to ensure the department operates efficiently and effectively.

Key Responsibilities:

• Program implementation and Enhancement: Lead the implementation, and continuous improvement of benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, life insurance, disability benefits, leave programs and other employee perks.
• Vendor & Partner Management: Oversee the selection and management of vendor relationships (e.g., health and life insurers, other vendors), ensuring cost-effectiveness, service excellence, and compliance.
• Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure that all benefits programs comply with applicable local, state, and federal regulations and effectively manage risk related to benefits offerings.
• Data & Analytics: Use data and analytics to assess the effectiveness of benefits programs, monitor trends, and make data-driven recommendations to senior leadership for improvements or changes in benefits offerings.
• Team Leadership & Management:

• Manage and lead the benefits team, providing direction, guidance, and support to ensure departmental goals are met.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performance team environment, ensuring clear communication and alignment of priorities.
• Oversee the daily operations of the team, ensuring efficient administration of benefits processes and services.
• Set individual and team performance goals, conduct regular performance reviews, and provide ongoing feedback and professional development opportunities.
• Mentor and develop team members, providing coaching, training, and support to help them achieve their career goals.
• Address any team performance or interpersonal issues promptly and effectively, ensuring a positive and productive work environment.

• Program implementation and Enhancement: Lead the implementation, and continuous improvement of benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, life insurance, disability benefits, leave programs and other employee perks.
• Vendor & Partner Management: Oversee the selection and management of vendor relationships (e.g., health and life insurers, other vendors), ensuring cost-effectiveness, service excellence, and compliance.
• Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure that all benefits programs comply with applicable local, state, and federal regulations and effectively manage risk related to benefits offerings.
• Data & Analytics: Use data and analytics to assess the effectiveness of benefits programs, monitor trends, and make data-driven recommendations to senior leadership for improvements or changes in benefits offerings.
• Team Leadership & Management:
  • Manage and lead the benefits team, providing direction, guidance, and support to ensure departmental goals are met.
  • Foster a collaborative and high-performance team environment, ensuring clear communication and alignment of priorities.
  • Oversee the daily operations of the team, ensuring efficient administration of benefits processes and services.
  • Set individual and team performance goals, conduct regular performance reviews, and provide ongoing feedback and professional development opportunities.
  • Mentor and develop team members, providing coaching, training, and support to help them achieve their career goals.
  • Address any team performance or interpersonal issues promptly and effectively, ensuring a positive and productive work environment.
• Employee Engagement & Communication: Champion employee engagement with benefits programs, ensuring clear and effective communication of benefits options, program updates, and open enrollment information.
• Global Benefits Strategy: Manage and coordinate global benefits strategies, ensuring consistency and compliance across multiple regions.
• Open Enrollment Leadership: Lead the strategic planning and execution of the open enrollment process, ensuring that employees understand their options and can make informed decisions.
• Change Management: Lead any changes to benefits programs or processes, ensuring smooth implementation and adoption by employees.
• Executive Reporting: Regularly report on the effectiveness of benefits programs to senior leadership and stakeholders, providing insights and recommendations for future improvements.

• Education: Bachelor's/ Master's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.
• Experience: 7+ years of experience in benefits administration, with a minimum of 2-4 years in a managerial role, overseeing a team or department.
• Skills:
  • Deep knowledge of benefits strategy and best practices.
  • Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to influence and drive change.
  • Expertise in vendor management.
  • Advanced analytical skills, including the ability to assess data trends and financial metrics.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and educate employees and leadership.
  • Strong project management abilities, with experience managing large, complex projects.
  • Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including HR, finance, legal, and IT.

• Tools/Technology: Proficiency in benefits administration software, SAP systems, and Microsoft Office Suite. Experience with advanced data analytics and reporting.