Benefit Manager

Summit Companies•Mendota Heights, MN

About The Position

The Benefits Manager is responsible for the strategic leadership, administration, compliance, and continuous improvement of the Company’s health and welfare, retirement, and ancillary benefit programs across a 5,000+ employee, multi-state organization. Operating within a high-growth, acquisition-driven fire protection and life safety business, this role ensures scalable, compliant, and cost-effective benefit solutions that support organizational growth. This role leads benefit plan administration, M&A benefits integration, vendor management, data governance, and regulatory compliance while overseeing a team of three benefits professionals. The Benefits Manager partners closely with senior leadership, Finance, Payroll, Legal, Operations, and external brokers/consultants to align benefits strategy with business growth objectives.

Requirements

7+ years of progressive benefits experience, including leadership responsibility.
Experience within a 3,000+ employee, multi-state organization, strongly preferred.
Direct experience supporting M&A benefits integration required.
Must maintain adherence with confidentiality requirements.
Strategic thinker with strong operational execution.
Highly analytical with financial acumen.
Strong project management and integration leadership skills.
Ability to navigate complex regulatory environments.
Executive presence with ability to influence senior stakeholders.
High level of discretion and confidentiality.
Must have the ability to effectively read, write and communicate in English with employees and customers.
Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
Strong experience with HCM/HRIS platforms such as Oracle, ADP Workforce Now, UKG, Workday, or similar.
Experience managing carrier integrations (EDI/API/file feeds).
Strong data analytics and reporting capabilities.
Valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record, required.
Must be able to comply with Summit’s Drug and Alcohol policy and Background screening requirements, which may also include customer specific requirements based on contractual agreement.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field, strongly preferred.
SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP, preferred.
Experience in construction, fire protection, life safety, or facility services industries preferred.
Experience in high-growth, acquisition-driven environments preferred.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Program Oversight
Lead the design, administration, and continuous improvement of all benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, voluntary benefits, wellness initiatives, and 401(k) plans.
Develop scalable benefits processes to support rapid growth and acquisition activity.
Partner with executive leadership and brokers on annual renewals, plan design strategy, funding analysis, and long-term cost containment initiatives.
Monitor and analyze benefit plan performance, utilization trends, and forecasting against budget.
M&A Benefits Integration
Lead benefits due diligence during acquisitions, including plan comparisons, liability review, vendor transitions, and risk assessment.
Develop and execute post-acquisition benefits integration plans, including harmonization strategy, communication plans, payroll alignment, and carrier onboarding.
Ensure compliant and seamless transition of acquired non-union employees into company-sponsored plans.
Collaborate with HRIS and Payroll to integrate eligibility rules, deduction structures, and data feeds.
Compliance & Governance
Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and related benefit laws.
Oversee Form 5500 filings, nondiscrimination testing, 411D reviews, summary plan descriptions, required notices, and annual audits.
Lead the annual 401(k) audit and coordinate remediation efforts as needed.
Maintain strong internal controls, documentation standards, and audit-ready processes.
Systems, Data & Process Optimization
Oversee benefit-related integrations between HRIS/HCM platforms and carriers (EDI, API, file feeds).
Validate data integrity through recurring audits and reconciliation processes.
Partner with HRIS and IT to enhance automation, reporting capabilities, and system efficiency.
Develop dashboards and executive-level reporting related to enrollment, participation, cost trends, and integration metrics.
Open Enrollment & Employee Experience
Lead enterprise-wide open enrollment strategy for non-union populations including system configuration, vendor coordination, communication campaigns, and employee education.
Ensure accuracy of elections, payroll deductions, and carrier submissions.
Oversee escalated employee issues and ensure timely, equitable resolution.
Champion a service-oriented benefits function that supports employee engagement and retention.
Financial & Vendor Management
Manage benefit plan billing, including self-billing arrangements and reconciliation processes.
Ensure timely and accurate premium payments and financial reporting.
Serve as primary liaison with carriers, brokers, TPAs, and retirement plan providers.
Evaluate vendor performance and lead RFP processes as needed.
Team Leadership
Lead, develop, and mentor a team of three benefits professionals.
Establish performance standards, workflows, cross-training, and service-level expectations.
Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence
Other duties may be assigned.