Benefits Manager

Responsible for planning, developing, implementing, and administering Global benefits plans and programs as well as Global policies and procedures for various employee benefit programs, including but not limited to life, health, and disability insurance, pension plans, well-being, and related retirement programs. Ensures compliance with all Global legal requirements of various employee benefits programs and prepares and files required legal reports. Works with vendors to develop, administer, and/or evaluate programs.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Global Benefits

• Administer Global employee benefits programs such as retirement plans; medical, dental, vision plans; life insurance plans; temporary disability programs; and wellness programs.
• Serve as the primary global benefits contact, frequently interacting with Partners, Chiefs, Associates, and Business Services Professionals (BSP).
• Act as a team lead to the Benefits Specialists, providing guidance, mentorship, and performance feedback. Guide and support the performance and development of members of the benefits team.
• Offer backup support and coverage for the Associate Director of Global Benefits as needed.
• Develop and implement best practices to enhance the overall efficiency and effectiveness of benefit programs and processes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and external vendors to ensure seamless benefit operations globally.
• Evaluate and compare existing company benefits with those of other employers by analyzing other plans, surveys, and other sources of information. Participate in industry surveys. Analyze results of surveys and develop specific recommendations for review by management.
• Manage a high volume of daily inquiries and requests, delivering a customer-focused experience to all stakeholders. Handle benefits inquiries and complaints to ensure quick, equitable, courteous resolution. Maintain contact by phone or mail, with insurance companies, employees, and beneficiaries to facilitate.
• Expedites delivery of benefits by establishing and maintaining working relationships with benefit providers.
• Contributes to team’s goals.

Wellness and Well-Being

• Lead the strategic design and implementation of firmwide wellness and well-being initiatives, focusing on physical, mental, and emotional health for all employees.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners (e.g., HR, Talent Development) to tailor programs that align with firm values and address diverse employee needs.
• Develop metrics and reporting to monitor, evaluate, and continually refine the effectiveness of wellness programs, ensuring measurable impact.
• Organize and facilitate engaging workshops, seminars, and events that promote healthy behaviors, work-life balance, and stress management.
• Produce quarterly newsletters and other communications to keep employees informed about available resources and upcoming wellness activities.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for external wellness vendors and third-party providers, negotiating contracts and monitoring service delivery.
• Champion a culture of well-being by actively promoting firm-led awareness campaigns, mental health resources, and preventative health strategies.

Plan Design

• Develop specifications for new plans or modify existing plans to maintain a competitive position in the labor market, and obtain uniform benefits package for all locations, where possible.
• Recommend classes of eligible employees for new or modified plans. Develop census data and work with consultants for quotations. Evaluates quotation and makes recommendations to management. Develop company cost information for new plans and make recommendations to management.
• Install approved new plans or changes to existing plans by preparing announcement materials, plan summary documents and other media for communicating plans to employees. Conduct employee meetings and arrange for enrollment. Advise and counsel management and employees on existing benefits.

Compliance/Documentation and Analysis

• Prepare with legal consultation, benefits documentation, such as original and amended plan texts, benefit agreements and insurance policies. Instruct insurance carriers, trustees, and other administrative agencies outside the company to effect changes in benefits program. Ensure prompt and accurate compliance.
• Assure company compliance with provisions of Employee Retirement Income Security Act and the Affordable Care Act. Oversee the preparation of reports and applications required by law to be filed with federal and state agencies, such as Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor, and other regulatory agencies. Review and analyze changes to state and federal laws pertaining to benefits, and report necessary or suggested changes to management. Coordinate company benefits with government-sponsored programs.
• Develop benefits information and statistical and census data for actuaries, insurance carriers and management.
• Reconciles benefits accounts by approving billing statements.
• Achieves financial objectives by preparing the benefits and department operational budgets; scheduling expenditures; analyzing variances; initiating corrective actions.
• Prepares special reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends.
• Performs any and all other duties as necessary and/or assigned by management for the efficient functioning of the department.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.
• Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) or Certified Benefit Professional (CBP) preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 8+ years of progressive experience in benefits administration, including global benefits strategy and implementation. Manager experience preferred.
• Experience at a large global law firm strongly preferred.
• Extensive working knowledge of global benefits programs, including design, compliance, and administration across multiple jurisdictions.
• Deep understanding of regulatory environments, including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and international benefits regulations.

Technical Knowledge:

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); intermediate Access skills preferred.
• Expertise in HRIS systems, report writing, and system utilization, with experience in leveraging technology for benefits administration. Workday experience preferred.

Skills & Abilities:

• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organization.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on data-driven decision-making.
• Proven organizational and planning skills, with the ability to manage complex projects, multiple priorities, and tight deadlines.
• Advanced project management expertise, including leadership of cross-functional and global initiatives.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with professionalism and discretion.

Leadership & Decision-Making:

• Demonstrated ability to make timely, strategic decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Apply advanced principles, theories, and concepts to achieve objectives creatively and effectively.
• Contributes to innovative ideas and solutions within the functional area and drives continuous improvement.
• Strong business acumen, including planning, organizing, decision-making, and achieving results aligned with customer and business needs.
• Demonstrated ability as a team lead of Benefit Specialists and the ability to provide support and backup to Benefit management.

Industry Knowledge:

• Broad and deep understanding of industry trends, competitor practices, and emerging global benefits strategies.

Work Style:

• Operates independently to achieve long-term goals and targets, while fostering collaboration across teams.
• Determines and pursues courses of action essential to achieving desired outcomes.
• Typically holds project leadership responsibilities and drives results through influence and strategic execution.

Additional Job Description

PHYSICAL EFFORT / WORK CONDITIONS

• This position operates in a professional office environment which is generally free of hazards and exposure to adverse environmental conditions.
• This position requires regular attendance on-site at a Dechert location with some travel to different sites using various modes of private and commercial transportation. Incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends.
• This position routinely operates standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopy machines, fax machines and filing cabinets, and requires frequent communication with the firm’s employees and partners as well as third parties.
• This position is mainly sedentary. Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to read, sit and type for sustained periods of time; to walk, stand, reach, and bend; to open and close filing cabinets and access and retrieve materials in file rooms; to lift, carry and move files or other items of light to moderate weight; to operate equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.
• This position requires a normal audio range, with or without correction. It also requires the normal visual range, with or without correction. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Location(s)

PhiladelphiaNew York

Time Type

Full time

Dechert LLP is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination.  The Firm prohibits unlawful discrimination in any term or condition of employment against any employee or applicant for employment because of the individual’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, membership or service in the armed forces, or any other characteristic protected by law.