What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manager, Benefits position at K2 Services?
POSITION SUMMARY:
K2 Services is seeking a detailed oriented and highly collaborative Benefits Manager to oversee the administration, compliance, and operations of the company’s employee benefit programs. This position requires strong Workday experience, effective vendor management, and the ability to support merger-related benefits integration, including coordinating the transition of incoming employees into K2’s benefit plans. The ideal candidate is proactive, organized, and dedicated to providing an excellent employee experience.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Experience:
K2 Services is seeking a detailed oriented and highly collaborative Benefits Manager to oversee the administration, compliance, and operations of the company’s employee benefit programs. This position requires strong Workday experience, effective vendor management, and the ability to support merger-related benefits integration, including coordinating the transition of incoming employees into K2’s benefit plans. The ideal candidate is proactive, organized, and dedicated to providing an excellent employee experience.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Oversee and administer all employee benefits programs: health, dental, vision, life, disability, 401(k), wellness, and other voluntary benefits.
- Lead annual open enrollment: coordinate with vendors, manage communications, train HR business partners, ensure smooth enrollment in Workday or other HRIS.
- Onboard new employees into K2 benefits programs, ensuring smooth enrollment and integration.
- Manage vendor relationships: negotiate contracts, monitor performance, resolve billing/invoice issues, and partner with brokers or carriers to optimize cost and service.
- Ensure compliance: maintain regulatory compliance for benefits, retirement plans, and filings (e.g., IRS, ERISA, 5500, COBRA, ACA). Retirement plan administration: oversee 401(k) plan provider, employer contributions, safe-harbor rules, recordkeeping, participant education, and plan testing.
- Tax management: work with payroll and finance teams to ensure accurate tax treatment of benefits, contributions, and reimbursements.
- Data management: maintain accurate benefits data in Workday (or your HRIS), run benefit reports, support audits, and ensure data integrity.
- Employee support: provide guidance and support to staff on benefits-related questions, changes, and issues.
- Budgeting and forecasting: develop and manage benefits budget; forecast costs and propose cost-saving strategies.
- Communication: design and deliver benefits communications (e.g., enrollment guides, FAQs, webinars), and educate employees on plan offerings and changes.
- Continuous improvement: evaluate current benefit programs, benchmark against market, and recommend enhancements for cost, value, and employee satisfaction.
- Strong understanding of benefit compliance (ERISA, IRS rules, 5500 filings, COBRA, ACA), retirement plan administration (especially 401(k)), and tax implications
- Excellent project management skills and ability to drive open enrollment initiatives.
- Strong analytical skills with experience in designing and interpreting benefits reports.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- High attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and ability to work independently in a remote environment.
Experience:
- 5–10 years of experience in benefits administration or total rewards, including hands-on management of benefit programs and vendors.
- Experience using HRIS systems (ideally Workday) to administer benefits and open enrollment.
- Demonstrated experience managing vendor relationships.
- Experience supporting benefits work during a merger, acquisition, or large-scale employee integration
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.
- SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or PHR/SPHR certification preferred.
- CEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist) highly preferred.
- Additional benefits-related certifications (e.g., IFEBP certifications) are a plus.
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