Sr. Benefits & Wellness Manager

General Summary

The Sr. Benefits & Wellness Manager is responsible for the strategic design, implementation and responsive program administration of the organization’s group benefit, leave of absence, wellness and retirement programs. This role ensures the program offerings are competitive, compliant, cost-effective and aligned with business objectives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1st Priority - 45%

Lead the management and oversight of the company sponsored benefit programs:

• The annual health & welfare insurance renewal (including providing comprehensive analysis for the self-insured medical and dental plans)
• Workers’ compensation program administration (annual renewal analysis, claims administration, and audits)
• Retirement plan administration (401(k) and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation) including eligibility oversight and compliance testing.
• Manage the benefits administration system, the electronic enrollment process, and dependent verification process including system updates and testing.
• Oversight of the annual benefits budget, including billing and budget forecasting.
• Partner with internal resources for the maintenance and compliance in the leave of absence program.
• Oversee various plan administration activities including but not limited to ACA reporting, coordination of the annual PCORI fee filing, all program team member communications.
• Ensure health savings accounts and reimbursement programs are tracked, audited and in compliance.
• Manage plan audits and reviews.
• Coordinate with internal and external auditors, partners and vendors ensuring timely audit completion and successful annual submission of plan Forms 5500 and SAR distribution.

2nd Priority - 25%

• Evaluate and recommend program enhancements to maintain competitiveness, add value for participants and ensure cost efficiency.  
• Develop, maintain and ensure policies and programs are accurately documented and aligned with the organization’s overall strategic objectives.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with brokers, carriers and any third-party administrators.
• Manage all program vendors and vendor agreements.
• Ongoing analysis of vendors and program offerings.

3rd Priority - 20%

• Develop and execute comprehensive wellness program and communication strategy, including education programs to promote health and well-being within the organization and increase participant awareness and knowledge.
• Serve as an escalated point of contact for internal partners to address benefit system questions.

4th Priority - 10%

• Performs any other duties assigned by HR management and take any reasonable action necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the position, consistent with established company policies and sound business judgement.

Qualifications/Education

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
• Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field a plus
• SHRM or CEBS certification a plus

Job Requirement

• Minimum 8-10+ years of progressive experience in benefits administration required, including 3+ years in a leadership position.
• Must have 5 - 7 years of experience in a corporate work environment.
• Strong and current knowledge of regulations that govern benefit programs, plan compliance, regulatory requirements, program trends and prevailing practices.
• Experience with administering 401(k) retirement plans required.
• Experience with administering Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation plans a plus.
• Experience managing budgets and benefits reconciliation.
• Experience with managing vendors, leading plan assessments, conducting vendor searches and plan renewals (annual and contract).
• Current knowledge and experience with leaves of absence administration.
• Must possess a strong numbers orientation and attention to detail.

Specialized Skills and Knowledge Required

• Project management skills, including handling multiple high priority projects simultaneously.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.  
• Intermediate proficiency in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint is required to produce regular reports and program proposals.
• Possess the knowledge and ability to navigate databases and systems as a user and system administrator. Understand program interaction with various systems, modules and databases.
• Strong knowledge of benefit laws and regulations (FMLA, CFRA/ADA, Cafeteria 125 programs, DOL, IRS guidelines and requirements).
• Ability to analyze benefit program utilization and develop recommendations for review by leadership.
• Ability to interface and communicate effectively in a clear and concise manner to all levels of team members, management, vendors, etc.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal skills to effectively communicate program policies and procedures to all levels of staff and management.
• Excellent planning, time management, communication, and organization skills.
• Ability to collaborate and succeed with diversified business practices and with all levels of an extremely fast paced organization.