Withum
Senior Manager, Benefits, Wellness & Leave Administration
Withum, East Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
Senior Manager, Benefits, Wellness & Leave Administration
Senior Manager, Benefits, Wellness, and Leave Administration is responsible for the strategic oversight, operational excellence, and continuous improvement of the Firm’s benefits, wellness and leave programs, providing leadership oversight and individual contribution on all programs, policies and practices that enhance the team member experience and support organizational growth.
Responsibilities
Providing strategic leadership and direction for the design, implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of all health, group benefits, wellness, retirement, leave, and other firm perks/benefits programs, ensuring alignment with the Firm’s growth strategy, business objectives, and talent acquisition/retention goals
Overseeing the development, enhancement, and execution of comprehensive wellness and leave strategies, including physical, mental, and financial well‑being, and ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations (e.g., FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, ERISA)
Leading and developing the U.S. benefits team, fostering a culture of operational excellence, collaboration, and professional growth, setting clear goals, providing coaching, and ensuring accountability for high‑quality service delivery
Partnering with HR, Talent, and Finance functions to drive strategic improvements and ensure seamless integration of benefits and leave programs, including during M&A activities
Overseeing the administration of all U.S. benefits and leave programs, including enrollment, claims, vendor management, compliance, policy development, and execution
Ensuring accurate management of leave data, payments, and balances; performing audits; analyzing program usage; and evaluating effectiveness from cost, process, and team member experience perspectives
Maintaining quality assurance, document procedures, and implementing new administrative processes to achieve efficiency and accuracy
Building and maintaining strong relationships with brokers, external vendors, and consultants to ensure optimal benefit offerings, service excellence, cost-effectiveness, and adherence to contracts and service levels
Conducting research and collaborating with brokers to draft annual renewal change recommendations and monitor market trends, best practices, and benchmarking data
Leading benefits communications and education initiatives, ensuring team members and managers are well‑informed and empowered to utilize benefits and wellness resources
Managing communication efforts, training, and tools regarding benefit program offerings, procedural changes, and government‑mandated disclosures
Providing support and guidance to team members and managers on benefit and leave‑related matters, including handling complex issues, investigations, and complaints
Preparing special reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends; monitoring high‑cost claims and problem areas; and ensuring accurate estimates, forecasts, and calculations for budget planning
Overseeing the management and communication of the 401k plan and Executive Physical program
Reviewing, creating, and updating Summary Plan Descriptions and applicable policies to ensure accuracy and compliance in plan documents and administrative procedures
Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree with an HR or business emphasis
Minimum of 7 years progressive experience in benefits administration, including at least 3 years in a leadership role
Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) or Certified Benefit Professional (CBP) is preferred
Strong functional expertise in benefits program design and administration
Experience working in a multi‑state regulatory environment as it relates to benefits and leave laws
In‑depth knowledge of government regulations that apply to benefit programs (ERISA, FMLA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, NY - HCRA)
Strong knowledge of State leave laws
Experience in leveraging technology for benefits administration
Workday HCM/Benefits/Absence experience is strongly preferred
Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
Experience interacting with brokers and vendors
Demonstrated ability to effectively lead a team, provide guidance, direction, support, and backup with all aspects of benefits and leave management
Excellent communication, analytical, and project management skills
Proven organizational and planning skills, with the ability to manage complex projects, multiple priorities, and tight deadlines
Comfortable in group presentations and negotiations
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with professionalism and discretion
Strong customer service acumen
Ability to work at both the “high” level and the “low” – requiring you to think, plan, and direct but also to execute
The compensation for this position ranges from $155,000 – $165,000. In addition to the base compensation, Withum offers a competitive benefits package and bonus program (for eligible roles) based on individual and firm performance. Final offer amounts are based on multiple factors such as the specific role, hiring location, and the individual’s skills, experience and qualifications. For additional information on our benefits, visit our website at https://www.withum.com/careers/.
WithumSmith+Brown, PC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against otherwise qualified applicants on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, age, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, marital status, domestic partnership status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, national origin, disability or handicap, veteran status, weight, height, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law.
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Responsibilities
Providing strategic leadership and direction for the design, implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of all health, group benefits, wellness, retirement, leave, and other firm perks/benefits programs, ensuring alignment with the Firm’s growth strategy, business objectives, and talent acquisition/retention goals
Overseeing the development, enhancement, and execution of comprehensive wellness and leave strategies, including physical, mental, and financial well‑being, and ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations (e.g., FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, ERISA)
Leading and developing the U.S. benefits team, fostering a culture of operational excellence, collaboration, and professional growth, setting clear goals, providing coaching, and ensuring accountability for high‑quality service delivery
Partnering with HR, Talent, and Finance functions to drive strategic improvements and ensure seamless integration of benefits and leave programs, including during M&A activities
Overseeing the administration of all U.S. benefits and leave programs, including enrollment, claims, vendor management, compliance, policy development, and execution
Ensuring accurate management of leave data, payments, and balances; performing audits; analyzing program usage; and evaluating effectiveness from cost, process, and team member experience perspectives
Maintaining quality assurance, document procedures, and implementing new administrative processes to achieve efficiency and accuracy
Building and maintaining strong relationships with brokers, external vendors, and consultants to ensure optimal benefit offerings, service excellence, cost-effectiveness, and adherence to contracts and service levels
Conducting research and collaborating with brokers to draft annual renewal change recommendations and monitor market trends, best practices, and benchmarking data
Leading benefits communications and education initiatives, ensuring team members and managers are well‑informed and empowered to utilize benefits and wellness resources
Managing communication efforts, training, and tools regarding benefit program offerings, procedural changes, and government‑mandated disclosures
Providing support and guidance to team members and managers on benefit and leave‑related matters, including handling complex issues, investigations, and complaints
Preparing special reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends; monitoring high‑cost claims and problem areas; and ensuring accurate estimates, forecasts, and calculations for budget planning
Overseeing the management and communication of the 401k plan and Executive Physical program
Reviewing, creating, and updating Summary Plan Descriptions and applicable policies to ensure accuracy and compliance in plan documents and administrative procedures
Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree with an HR or business emphasis
Minimum of 7 years progressive experience in benefits administration, including at least 3 years in a leadership role
Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) or Certified Benefit Professional (CBP) is preferred
Strong functional expertise in benefits program design and administration
Experience working in a multi‑state regulatory environment as it relates to benefits and leave laws
In‑depth knowledge of government regulations that apply to benefit programs (ERISA, FMLA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, NY - HCRA)
Strong knowledge of State leave laws
Experience in leveraging technology for benefits administration
Workday HCM/Benefits/Absence experience is strongly preferred
Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
Experience interacting with brokers and vendors
Demonstrated ability to effectively lead a team, provide guidance, direction, support, and backup with all aspects of benefits and leave management
Excellent communication, analytical, and project management skills
Proven organizational and planning skills, with the ability to manage complex projects, multiple priorities, and tight deadlines
Comfortable in group presentations and negotiations
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with professionalism and discretion
Strong customer service acumen
Ability to work at both the “high” level and the “low” – requiring you to think, plan, and direct but also to execute
The compensation for this position ranges from $155,000 – $165,000. In addition to the base compensation, Withum offers a competitive benefits package and bonus program (for eligible roles) based on individual and firm performance. Final offer amounts are based on multiple factors such as the specific role, hiring location, and the individual’s skills, experience and qualifications. For additional information on our benefits, visit our website at https://www.withum.com/careers/.
WithumSmith+Brown, PC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against otherwise qualified applicants on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, age, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, marital status, domestic partnership status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, national origin, disability or handicap, veteran status, weight, height, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law.
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