Benefits Manager

Manages vendor relationships and negotiations for benefit programs to ensure the best value for the company and its employees. Works closely with vendors and brokers to research market trends to prepare strategy and recommend appropriate benefit plans, to foster a comprehensive benefits package. Oversees the annual open enrollment process, including employee communication and education, ensuring system updates are made in a timely fashion to ensure deductions and deduction codes transition properly. Ensures a communications plan in place to consistently disseminate information and educational materials to employees related to a variety of benefits and retirement topics. Monitors and reports out on benefit cost trends, utilizing IBNR and MER reports and recommends cost‑saving opportunities while maintaining quality. Ensures compliance with ERISA and other regulatory requirements related to health and welfare and retirement plans. Oversees the administration of the retirement program. Responsible for Leave of Absence process, ensuring compliance with FMLA, ACA, ADA, etc. Oversees reconciliation of benefits invoicing. Responsible for leading the year‑end compliance processes, ensuring items such as the annual 5500 filing and 401(k) discrimination testing, 1095‑C’s, PCORI filings, non‑discrimination testing etc. are completed accurately and in a timely fashion. Ensures regular audits are performed to ensure data housed in our HRIS system matches that contained in our various benefits systems, creating a plan of action to correct any errors to ensure corrections are made throughout the year to support ease of year‑end compliance. Ensures internal customers are appropriately assisted with benefit‑related questions and claims issues, including leaves of absence and ADA questions. Oversees employee PTO benefits, and employee recognition programs to ensure they are administered appropriately and according to policy.

Required Skills and Experience

5+ years’ experience leading a benefits team

Solid understanding of local, state, and federal laws, including ERISA, IRS, DOL, FMLA, USERRA, HIPPA, COBRA, and ACA compliance.

Familiar with Leave of Absence process, ensuring compliance with FMLA, ACA, ADA, etc.

Comfortable monitoring and reporting benefit cost trends, utilizing IBNR and MER reports

Fully proficient in utilizing reporting tools from HRIS systems specifically building census reports

Strong understanding of data confidentiality needs (SOX compliance knowledge).

Nice to Have Skills and Experience

Worked at a public company and familiar with ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan)

Certified Plan Sponsor (CPSP), Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) and/or similar certification(s).

Experience in a multi‑state retail organization is a plus.

Seniority Level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type

Full‑time

Job Function

Management

Industries

Retail

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