Benefits Manager

Benefits Manager

Position Overview

The Benefits Manager oversees the organization's employee benefits function, ensuring benefit programs are administered effectively, remain compliant with applicable regulations, and provide a positive experience for team members. This position manages health and welfare plans, retirement offerings, leave administration, and wellness initiatives while partnering with internal departments and external vendors to maintain efficient operations and competitive benefit programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver exceptional internal customer service while fostering a positive workplace culture.
• Manage the day-to-day administration of employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement plans, wellness programs, and leave administration.
• Review benefit offerings and recommend enhancements based on market trends, organizational objectives, and workforce needs.
• Coordinate and execute the annual open enrollment process, including communications, vendor coordination, and system configuration.
• Act as the primary point of contact for benefit providers, brokers, consultants, and other external partners.
• Ensure all benefit programs comply with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, and related requirements.
• Respond to employee benefit questions and resolve complex issues through collaboration with vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Monitor benefit utilization, participation, and program effectiveness through reporting and data analysis.
• Oversee benefit budgets, review vendor invoices, and reconcile benefit-related billing.
• Coordinate benefit audits and support regulatory filings and compliance documentation.
• Partner closely with Human Resources, Payroll, Finance, and Legal to ensure accurate and timely benefits administration.
• Develop and improve employee communications to increase understanding and engagement with available benefit programs.
• Support organizational changes, acquisitions, or integrations involving employee benefit plans.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and oversight to benefits team members.
• Handle confidential employee information with professionalism and discretion.
• Assist with additional HR initiatives and projects as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Approximately 10 years of progressive experience managing employee benefits programs.
• At least five years of leadership experience supervising and developing benefits professionals.
• Experience administering benefits through an HRIS platform, including Workday.
• Strong working knowledge of employee benefits regulations, including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and FMLA.
• Experience maintaining HRIS records, managing benefit deductions, and producing both standard and custom reports.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with employees, leadership, vendors, and cross-functional partners.
• High attention to detail with a proven ability to maintain accuracy in data management.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while consistently meeting deadlines.
• Demonstrated professionalism when handling confidential and sensitive employee information.
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Outlook, and Word.
• Flexible schedule as business needs require.
• Comfortable working in an environment where smoking is permitted.
• Commitment to workplace safety standards and company policies.

Preferred Experience

• Previous ownership of a company's employee benefits function.
• Experience supporting benefits within Tribal organizations or Tribal enterprises.
• Professional certifications such as CEBS, CBP, PHR, or SPHR are considered a plus.