Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced, strategic, and hands-on Benefits Manager to lead the administration, strategy, and ongoing optimization of our employee benefits and wellness programs. This individual will oversee a team of two and serve as the primary point of contact for benefits-related matters, partnering closely with internal stakeholders, external benefits brokers, and vendors to deliver a competitive, cost-effective, and employee-focused benefits experience.
The ideal candidate brings strong technical expertise in Workday, deep knowledge of benefits administration and compliance, established broker relationships, and a passion for employee wellness and engagement. This role requires a balance of strategic program ownership, team leadership, vendor management, and day-to-day operational execution within a professional services environment.
Key Responsibilities
Benefits Strategy & Program Management
- Lead the design, implementation, administration, and ongoing evaluation of employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, retirement plans, leave programs, and other employee offerings.
- Develop and execute a comprehensive benefits strategy aligned with organizational goals, workforce needs, employee retention, and market competitiveness.
- Evaluate plan performance, utilization, employee feedback, and cost trends to identify opportunities for program improvement.
- Lead annual benefits renewals, open enrollment, plan design reviews, and employee communications.
- Partner with Finance and HR leadership on benefits budgeting, cost projections, vendor negotiations, and strategies to manage benefits expenditures while maintaining a competitive employee offering.
Employee Wellness & Engagement
- Develop and lead employee wellness initiatives that promote physical, mental, and financial well-being.
- Evaluate and introduce wellness programs, resources, and vendor partnerships that support employee engagement, retention, and overall employee experience.
- Partner with internal stakeholders and external providers to expand wellness offerings and drive employee participation.
- Analyze program participation, employee feedback, and available utilization data to measure effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Develop clear, engaging employee communications that increase awareness and understanding of available benefits and wellness resources.
Broker & Vendor Relationship Management
- Serve as the primary relationship owner for external benefits brokers, insurance carriers, consultants, and third-party administrators.
- Build strong, collaborative broker relationships to leverage market expertise, identify innovative plan options, benchmark offerings, and negotiate competitive renewals.
- Lead regular broker and vendor meetings to review plan performance, service delivery, costs, employee concerns, and opportunities for improvement.
- Hold vendors accountable for service levels, issue resolution, compliance requirements, and overall program effectiveness.
- Evaluate vendor performance and make recommendations regarding new partnerships, plan changes, and technology enhancements.
Workday Benefits Administration & HRIS
- Own and optimize benefits administration within Workday, ensuring accurate plan configuration, eligibility rules, enrollment processes, employee data, and reporting.
- Partner with HRIS, Payroll, and other internal teams to ensure seamless integrations, accurate deductions, timely data updates, and effective benefits-related workflows.
- Identify opportunities to improve Workday functionality, automate manual processes, strengthen reporting, and enhance the employee benefits experience.
- Troubleshoot complex benefits administration issues and lead the resolution of system, enrollment, eligibility, and data discrepancies.
- Develop and maintain benefits reporting and analytics to support decision-making, compliance, budgeting, and program evaluation.
Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure benefits programs and processes comply with applicable federal and state laws and regulations, including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and other relevant requirements.
- Oversee required filings, notices, audits, plan documentation, and compliance-related communications in partnership with brokers, legal counsel, and external administrators.
- Maintain accurate benefits records and establish consistent processes and internal controls.
- Monitor regulatory changes and proactively recommend updates to policies, procedures, and benefits administration practices.
- Serve as an escalation point for complex employee benefits questions, claims issues, eligibility concerns, and sensitive benefits matters.
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of two benefits professionals, establishing clear priorities, responsibilities, and performance expectations.
- Oversee daily benefits operations, ensuring accuracy, responsiveness, service quality, and consistent execution.
- Build scalable processes and standard operating procedures that improve efficiency and establish clear accountability across the team.
- Foster a service-oriented culture focused on employee support, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
- Provide guidance on complex cases and support the team's ongoing professional development.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
- 7+ years of progressive experience in employee benefits, benefits administration, or total rewards, including experience managing complex benefits programs.
- Demonstrated experience leading, supervising, or developing a team.
- Required: Hands-on experience with Workday Benefits, including benefits administration, configuration, reporting, and process optimization.
- Strong experience managing external benefits brokers, insurance carriers, consultants, and third-party vendors.
- Demonstrated success developing or enhancing employee wellness programs and driving employee engagement.
- Experience leading annual renewals, open enrollment, plan evaluations, vendor negotiations, and benefits cost management.
- Strong knowledge of benefits compliance, applicable employment regulations, and benefits administration best practices.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, communication, and project management skills.
- Ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on execution in a fast-paced, service-oriented organization.
- Strong judgment, problem-solving skills, and the ability to handle confidential employee information with discretion.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting a professional services, consulting, financial services, or other corporate employee population.
- Experience managing benefits programs across multiple states or locations.
- Familiarity with Workday integrations involving Payroll, HRIS, and other employee systems.
- Relevant benefits certifications, such as CEBS, or other professional development in benefits and total rewards.
Success in This Role
The successful Benefits Manager will establish a well-managed, employee-centered benefits function that delivers competitive programs, strong wellness offerings, effective broker partnerships, accurate Workday administration, and measurable improvements in cost management and employee experience.
