Job Title:        Benefits Manager

Reports to:     General Counsel

Job Overview:    

The position is responsible for the vision, analysis, research, communication, and administration of strategic employee benefit programs, and the processes associated with supporting these programs. Ensures that these programs support the company’s growth strategy, business objectives, and talent acquisition and retention goals, while maximizing total compensation value and responsibly managing the Company’s investment. The administrator continually investigates new benefits programs, improves existing programs, and supervises and monitors benefits administration. Consults with, and works collaboratively with, Human Resources colleagues.
 

Responsibilities:

• Serves as subject matter expert in Health & Welfare Benefits, wellness and leave of absence policies and programs.
• Plans, organizes, directs and evaluates the Company’s employee health and welfare programs, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance plans, wellness, leave programs, retirement savings program, and Section 125 Flexible Benefits plan.
• Stays informed of new employee benefits-related laws, regulations, and trends. Performs research and analysis related to benefit plans to assist in plan maintenance, improvement, and health benefits policy development.
• Conducts budgeting and financial analysis of employee benefits programs. Monitors high-cost claims and targets problem claim areas. Ensure adequate estimates, forecasts, and calculations of expenditures in benefits for budget planning and tracking.
• Primary contact with Benefit consultants (Brokers), third-party administrators (TPA) and plan providers to ensure efficient administration of benefit plans. Ensure viable benefit offerings, including plan design, strategic planning, benefit forecasting, monitoring usage trends and directing broker negotiations with benefit carriers.
• Oversees Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliance and reporting (1095c/1094c). Responsible for annual reporting to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
• Ensures appropriate and timely benefits communications and employee education.
• Review, create and update summary plan descriptions (SPD) and Summary of Benefits and Coverages (SBC) and applicable policies to ensure accuracy of administration in plan documents.
• Manage open enrollment process by creating and implementing a project plan, delegating tasks and creating open enrollment documentation and employee communication materials.
• Advises Company management on health and welfare issues and trends to maintain affordable and appropriate benefits for employees and continuing compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Effectively manages relationships with third parties to ensure that agreed upon service levels are met and any issues are promptly addressed. Reviews benefit contracts for accuracy and monitors contracts to ensure compliance with negotiated terms and conditions.
• Ensures compliance in accordance with federal and state laws, including ERISA, FMLA, ADA, USERRA, Pregnancy Discrimination Act, HIPAA, COBRA and Company benefit policies and procedures. This includes required testing, audits and 5500 filing compliance.
• Provides guidance and oversight of day-to-day operations of the leave programs with direct involvement in resolving complex leave issues. Assists other departments with accommodation requirements under the American Disabilities Act.
• Oversee the administration of Company 401(k) retirement savings plan. Assist employees in understanding and interpreting retirement plan documents, ensuring compliance with legal requirements, plan rules, and regulations. Participates on the internal 401(k) Investment Committee.
• Manage Benefits Specialist including providing appropriate training, conduct performance assessments, assign projects, maintain quality assurance, document procedures, and implement new administrative processes to achieve efficiency and ensure accuracy.

Experience and Training Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree; a major in business administration, human resources, industrial relations, or a related field AND three to five years of professional work experience in health benefits management. OR –
• Equivalent combination of education and experience administering health and welfare benefit programs. AND –
• Strong functional expertise in benefits program design and administration.
• Excellent analytic skills
• Working knowledge of government regulations that apply to benefit programs (ERISA, FMLA, COBRA, HIPAA, ADA).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to interpret contractual language into easily understandable text, comfortable in group presentations and negotiations.
• Strong software skills, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and HR systems.
• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Proven creative problem-solving skills to make best judgment calls.
• Ability to respond effectively and timely to sensitive information.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the job.