Benefits Manager

The Benefits Manager is responsible for the administration, compliance, and continuous improvement of an organization's employee benefits programs. This role oversees health and welfare benefits, retirement plans, leave programs, wellness initiatives, and vendor relationships to ensure employees receive competitive and cost-effective benefits. Partners with Human Resources, Finance, Payroll, leadership teams, and external vendors to develop benefits strategies that support employee wellbeing, talent attraction, retention, and organizational goals. Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations, manages benefits budgets, analyzes program effectiveness, and leads initiatives to enhance the employee experience. This role is onsite in Atlanta.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Benefits Administration

• Oversee administration of medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement, and voluntary benefit programs.


• Ensure accurate employee enrollments, eligibility determinations, and benefit changes.


• Manage annual open enrollment planning, execution, and post-enrollment audits.


• Establish and maintain benefits policies and procedures.

Compliance & Regulatory Management

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations including ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA, FMLA, and applicable labor laws.


• Monitor regulatory changes and implement necessary updates to benefit programs.


• Coordinate benefits audits and maintain required documentation.


• Mitigate organizational risk through compliant benefits practices.

Vendor & Carrier Management

• Manage relationships with insurance carriers, brokers, consultants, and third-party administrators.


• Monitor vendor performance and service-level agreements.


• Resolve complex escalated benefits issues and claims concerns.

Retirement Plan Administration

• Oversee retirement programs, including 401(k), pension, and deferred compensation plans.


• Ensure regulatory compliance and timely reporting.


• Collaborate with plan administrators and investment advisors.


• Monitor participation rates and employee engagement.

Leave of Absence Administration

• Oversee FMLA, ADA, short-term disability, long-term disability, parental leave, and other leave programs.


• Ensure consistent application of leave policies and compliance requirements.


• Coordinate with HR, managers, employees, and third-party vendors.


• Support return-to-work and accommodation processes.

Employee Communication & Education

• Develop and implement benefits communication strategies.


• Create educational materials, enrollment guides, and presentations.


• Conduct benefits meetings, webinars, and open enrollment sessions.


• Promote employee understanding and utilization of benefit programs.

Reporting & Analytics

• Analyze enrollment, participation, utilization, and cost data.


• Track key performance indicators and benefits trends.


• Support workforce planning and strategic decision-making through data analysis.

Wellness & Employee Engagement

• Lead employee wellness and wellbeing programs.


• Manage employee assistance and recognition programs related to wellbeing.


• Measure program effectiveness and employee engagement.

Additional duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field of study.


• Demonstrated experience managing health and welfare benefit programs, retirement plans, leave administration, and vendor relationships required.


• 7–10 years of progressive experience in benefits administration, human resources, compensation and benefits, or total rewards required.


• Experience managing complex benefit programs for mid-sized to large organizations (500+ employees) preferred.


• Experience leading benefits strategy, plan design, compliance, and cost management initiatives preferred.