Benefits Manager

The Benefits Manager is the top benefits position that reports to the Executive Director of Human Resources. The Benefits Manager manages the planning, development, implementation, communication and administration of benefit and retirement programs that support the achievement of the Firms objectives on both a short- and long-term basis of providing benefits that are competitive, cost-effective and responsive to the needs of our people.

Benefits Manager Responsibilities:

• Drafts and presents communications of the Firm’s health, welfare and retirement plans.
• Plans, implements and administers benefits programs designed to insure our people against loss of income due to illness, injury, separation from the Firm or retirement.
• Administers the Firm’s retirement plans. Prepares and communicates notices of retirement plan eligibility on a semi-annual basis.
• Monitors the effectiveness of these benefits programs, advising Firm management of needed revision to current programs and for developing such appropriate new programs as may be required periodically.
• Provides prompt and accurate administrative services to our people regarding our benefits programs.
• Provides consultative services to office management regarding individual problem solving and design of unique market driven benefits programs.
• Develops and maintains statistical data about current benefit programs and proposed benefits changes to provide Firm management controls and to protect future benefit costs and assist management in decision-making on possible benefit improvements.
• Keeps up-to-date regarding local, state and Federal laws to ensure that all benefit plans comply with such laws and regulations. Ensures reporting requirements under ACA are completed timely and correctly.
• Develops and implements techniques for compiling, preparing and presenting data for analyzing Firm and unique office practices so that meaningful comparisons can be made with other Firm practices to ensure that we remain competitive.
• Develops, proofs and transmits files for non-discrimination testing to actuaries annually.
• Works with Finance and Fidelity to distribute allowable distributions from Partner Cash Balance Plan and annual statements and publication/mailing of required annual funding notice.
• Produces updated schedules of Addendum Retirement benefits annually to actuaries and publishes reports to certain partners.
• Maintains records and files, including plan documents, summary plan descriptions and contracts relating to the various benefits programs of the Firm.
• Assures proper enrollment, termination, accuracy of deductions, vendor invoice processing, auditing, record-keeping and reporting of the Firm’s benefits programs. Provides statutory information for W-2’s to payroll.
• Develops estimated and actual costs of benefits plans for budget purposes with assistance from Firmwide Finance Department.
• Acts as liaison between Firm and outside consultants, actuaries and carriers with respect to problem solving and renewal and negotiations of contracts.
• Develops and publishes open enrollment materials annually. Responsible for beneficiary mailings for attorneys and compensation and benefits statements to staff.
• Performs clerical functions such as updating records; approves loans and withdrawals from the Retirement plan(s) according to rules and regulations.
• Directly supervises two employees in the benefits area.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.

Benefits Manager Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of seven years of relevant experience, law firm experience preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as plan documents, summary plan descriptions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively to all levels of professional and support staff.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions, and percentages. Ability to apply concepts of basic bookkeeping and recordkeeping.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Working knowledge of personal computer applications including HRIS and Microsoft Office Suite—Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Working knowledge of UKG preferred; Benefits Administration (PlanSource) is a plus.