Manager of Benefits & Wellness

Job Description

The Manager of Benefits & Wellbeing will be responsible for strategically managing and administering all U.S. employee benefits programs, which include 401k retirement plans, leave of absence case management and policies, proactive health and wellness programs, and insurance policies such as health, life and disability.

CORE FUNCTIONS

• Strategically lead benefits for multiple locations within the U.S.




• Responsible for cost control and ensuring benefit programs remain competitive.


• Work in close partnership with our broker and vendors.


• Administer all employee benefit plans including, but not limited to, health, dental, and vision insurance, e.g. 401(k) administration; short- and long-term disability.


• Research and resolve non-routine benefits issues on behalf of employees and the Company.


• Serve as the key contact for plan questions, plan eligibility issues and complex claims issues.




• Responsible for the selection process for vendors and oversee enrollment, renewal, and delivery of benefits to the organization’s employees.




• Very frequently monitor government regulations and market trends to ensure that plan programs are current, competitive, and legal.


• Monitor costs and analyze benefit trends to ensure competitiveness, making recommendations for changes and improvements as needed, at least annually.


• Work closely with brokers to evaluate current plans and source new carriers as needed.




• Provide guidance on benefits and business processes in our Payroll and HRIS systems, including supporting upgrades, implementations, integrations, and system testing to ensure integrity of all benefit plans. Manage employee enrollment system including approval of changes and problem resolution.


• Review and process benefit billings, checks for accuracy, and codes for accounting purposes. Resolve complex vendor/invoicing issues.


• May conduct new employee Orientation as it relates to benefits.


• Communicate “Benefit Education Topics” to employees on a frequent basis.


• Manage Company relocation and educational reimbursement programs.


• Responsible for the U.S. managing and administering the U.S. fleet program.


• Plan and execute the tactics of the Global Mobility programs, consisting of local relocation, tax, and immigration, which are relevant to the US and all regional offices in partnership with the payroll team.


• Additional duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, or related field required.


• 8+ years of progressive experience in benefits or total rewards administration required, which may include 2+ years of team leadership & development experience.


• Experience working hand in hand with brokers and benefit carriers.


• Experience with health plans such as BCBS, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, or Kaiser Permanente.

Required Licenses

• Relevant certifications (i.e. CPA) preferred

Skills and Abilities

• In-depth knowledge of ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, Section 125, FMLA, ADA, and other benefits-related laws across multiple states.


• In depth understanding of benefits systems and legal requirements.


• Proficiency with benefits platforms (e.g. UKG, Workday, ADP, or equivalent HRIS).


• Advanced Excel skills including pivot tables and lookups preferred


• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills required.


• Strong communication skills with the ability to simplify complex information.


• Proven ability to manage confidential and sensitive information with discretion.


• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office software and automated payroll and timekeeping systems.


• Demonstrated analytical ability, structured, process orientated work style, effective written and verbal communication skills.


• Proven interpersonal skills to positively relate to employees at all levels within the organization.


• Skilled in Microsoft Office.


• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.


• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.


• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret graphs.


• Ability to resolve escalated issues and coordinate cross functionally to provide resolution.

Travel

• Occasional travel may be required.

COMPETENCIES

• Readily takes action on challenges, without unnecessary planning; Identifies and seizes new opportunities; Displays a can-do attitude in good and bad times. Steps up to handle tough issues.


• Ability to lead and collaborate with teams from different departments or disciplines within an organization; Creates synergy among cross-functional team members to achieve a common goal; Understands and communicates how a project or initiative helps each functional area of the organization, proactively keeps everyone well informed regarding progress and potential challenges; Problem solves and resolves conflict quickly; Is organized and effectively leverages resources with their function and outside of their function to deliver results; Able to effectively call upon and leverage resources outside their area of responsibility to generate organizational success. Builds trust quickly and continually motivates and recognizes others.


• Is effective in a variety of communication settings: one-on-one, small or large groups, or among diverse styles and position levels; Attentively listens to others adjust to fit the audience and the message; Provides timely and effective information to others across the organization; Encourages the open expression of diverse ideas and opinion.


• Ability to interpret, evaluate, and analyze facts and information from multiple perspectives; Looks for underlying causes or thinks through the consequences of different courses of action; Breaks problems into component parts and creates solutions; Able to make connections between logical ideas to see the bigger picture.


• Gains insight into customer needs; Identifies opportunities that benefit the customer; Builds and delivers solutions that meets customer expectations; Establishes and maintains effective customer relationships.


• Makes good decisions (without considering how much time it takes) based upon a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment; most of his /her solutions and suggestions turn out to be correct and accurate when judged over time; sought out by others for advice and solutions.

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• This position is a Manager+: Plans, organizes, evaluates, and directs the employees within the department function. Has direct reports.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• This position is subject to Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls require exertion of force greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.

Physical Activities

• This position is subject to the following physical activities: standing, walking, talking, and hearing.

Visual Acuity

• The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; expansive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts and/or operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices; and/or assembly of fabrication of parts at distances close to the eyes.

Working Conditions

• This position primarily operates in an office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment. This role may be required to visit the plant environment as needed to support ERP systems within the brands and must follow the plant’s safety rules.