Benefits Manager

Job Summary

The Benefits Manager leads and manages the company’s benefits programs serving 4,000+ active employees and 1,500 retirees. This role ensures seamless benefits administration, including HR outsourcing for key areas such as benefits calculations, leave management and enrollment platforms.  Additionally, this position manages compensation structures, incentive programs, and executive benefits, maintaining full compliance with all regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Retirement & Deferred Compensation Plan Management

• Oversee the administration of two 401(k) plans, one active pension plan, and a Nonqualified Deferred Compensation plan, including accurate recordkeeping and plan documentation.
• Address retiree inquiries across six distinct pension retiree groups and manage retiree medical, life, and AD&D benefit programs for 10 separate retiree groups, ensuring seamless benefit transitions and retiree support.
• Serve as Chairperson of the Pension and 401(k) Committees, maintaining governance over the charters, investment policy, and fiduciary responsibilities; coordinate quarterly committee meetings.
• Conduct regular benchmarking and program analysis to recommend plan enhancements and ensure competitive, cost-effective offerings.

Health & Welfare Plan Management

• Oversee all health and welfare benefit programs, including plan documents, employee communications and compliance with applicable filings (such as 1095 forms).
• Analyze plan effectiveness, utilization, and cost trends, and present recommendations to senior management.
• Oversee the annual open enrollment process, working closely with HRIS, payroll, and communications teams.
• Support labor negotiations related to benefits and ensure all benefits programs for union employees adhere to relevant collective bargaining agreements.
• Ensure effective administration and compliance of all company and state leave programs, including guidance to HR partners and managers
• Partner with leadership and HR to evaluate and enhance total rewards strategies

Vendor Management

• Lead or oversee relationships with external partners, including benefits vendors, insurance brokers, third-party administrators, and investment managers.
• Negotiate contracts, monitor service levels, and oversee vendor performance.

Compliance & Reporting

• Maintain compliance with all federal, state, and local benefits laws, including ACA, ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, and FMLA, as well as union contract provisions.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of all regulatory filings, including 5500 and 1095 forms, and coordinate annual nondiscrimination testing and audits.
• Prepare, analyze, and present benefits reports and metrics for senior management; make strategic recommendations based on data and trends.

Leadership and Support

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of benefits professionals, including two Benefits Specialists, a Benefits & HR Administrator, and an HRMS Specialist.
• Foster a culture of high performance, continuous learning, and exceptional service.
• Serve as a key resource for employees, retirees, and management, addressing complex benefits issues and providing clear, timely guidance.
• Develop and maintain benefits communication materials and facilitate educational meetings to increase understanding and engagement.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field
• 8+ years of experience in benefits administration, including health, welfare, and retirement plans, 5500/1095 filings, plan audits, and online enrollment systems
• 5+ years of experience in a multi-site environment
• Experience managing benefit program vendors, brokers, and investment partners.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities; able to explain complex benefits matters to diverse audiences
• Proficiency in Excel and strong analytical skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Exceptional attention to detail and problem-solving abilities

Preferred:

• 5+ years of managerial experience
• Proven experience in retirement plan and pension administration, including committee governance.
• Experience working with union sites and contracts

Work Environment:

• Primarily office-based with a hybrid work model, offering flexibility to work remotely one day per week.
• Occasional travel for business purposes.

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