Senior Benefits Manager

The Senior Benefits Manager will be responsible for the overall effective operation, delivery and administration of the organization’s benefits programs in accordance with strategic objectives. As needed, provides special guidance and assistance to all locations on various employee benefit plans. Surveys industry and/or community to determine company's competitive position in employee benefits. Develops, recommends, and installs approved, new, or modified plans and employee benefit policies, and supervises the administration of existing plans. Develops cost control procedures to assure maximum coverage at the least possible cost to company and employee.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee and manage corporate benefit programs including, but not limited to, the health and welfare, 401(k) and frozen pension plans.
• Provide leadership and direction to two team members, ensuring effective management of Leave of Absence programs and Health & Welfare (H&W) benefit initiatives.
• Manage third party vendors, actuaries and consultants to ensure compliance, quality and efficiency of delivery of our benefit programs. Partner with the third party administrator on service delivery and new project efforts. Review plan vendors’ performance, lead quarterly service delivery meetings and provide program performance reporting to Senior leadership.
• Effectively develop analytics to evaluate the effectiveness of benefit programs, identify trends, and support the development of strategy and best administrative practices. Propose changes as necessary.
• Work with outside consultants to benchmark and determine appropriate plan design changes or enhancements. Evaluates and compares existing company benefits with those of other employers.
• Maintain an external focus on best practices, regulatory requirements and the competitive environment.
• Oversee processes/troubleshooting issues resulting from system coordination between benefits administrator and payroll/HRIS system.
• Collaborate early and often. Provide constant communication to HR Business Partners and other internal constituents (e.g. Labor Relations, Finance). Act as liaison with internal departments as subject matter expert and key resource for the use and promotion of benefit plans and programs.
• Build open and honest relationships with peers and business clients
• Partner with various internal customers including; Payroll, HR, Finance and Legal to ensure excellent service delivery. Identify and execute opportunities for improved benefits experience. Handles benefit inquiries and address participant escalations to ensure quick, equitable, courteous resolution. Maintains contact in person, and by phone or mail, insurance companies, employees, and beneficiaries to facilitate proper and complete utilization of benefits for all employees.
• Create communications for employees, including mass populations, as required regarding all benefit programs. Will require strong partnership and collaboration with the Corporate Communications team.
• Assist to ensure ACA compliance and reporting is accurate and timely.
• Lead the Open Enrollment process, including being an active contributor for the strategy planning, then coordination and communication of the open enrollment delivery, including education, presentation, system testing/updates and execution.
• Audit the accuracy and performance of functions performed by benefit vendors.
• Design and distribute materials for benefits orientations, open enrollment and summary plan descriptions.
• Support other HR/Benefit projects as assigned.
• Identifies and recommends process improvements.

Qualifications:

• 5-8 years human resources experience, with significant experience in benefits
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• Experience coaching, mentoring, and leading others
• Demonstrated skills in customer service and collaboration
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment. Ability to take initiative and prioritize to effectively manage deadlines
• Analytical and detail oriented, with the ability to locate resources and research and resolve issues through innovative solutions and sound judgment
• Technically savvy with use of current Microsoft Office tools
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills with a strong focus on customer service
• Ability to be flexible, adaptable and dependable in a constantly changing, fast-paced environment
• Experience working with large employee population (4500+ employees) #LI-MS1