Benefits & Vendor Relations Manager

Horace Mann•Springfield, IL

15h•$89,800 - $125,500•Hybrid

About The Position

The Benefit & Vendor Relations Manager oversees the administration, vendor management, financial controls, compliance, and delivery of employee benefit programs. This role serves as a primary contact for benefit vendors and consultants while ensuring plans are administered accurately and in accordance with plan documents, regulatory requirements, and company objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
5+ years of experience in employee benefits, vendor management, or a related HR function.
Strong knowledge of benefit plans, administration practices, financial controls, and applicable regulations.
Experience managing vendors, audits, compliance activities, open enrollment, employee escalations, and benefit implementations.
Strong analytical, project management, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and benefit administration systems; Workday experience preferred.

Nice To Haves

CEBS, PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification.

Responsibilities

Oversee administration of health, welfare, retirement, and related employee benefit programs.
Manage benefit vendors and consultants, including service levels, renewals, implementations, escalated issues, and performance improvement.
Lead annual open enrollment, benefit communications, employee education, and new-hire orientation.
Oversee benefit invoices, payments, accruals, reconciliations, and related financial controls.
Coordinate benefit audits, regulatory filings, required notices, and compliance activities.
Manage complex eligibility, enrollment, claims, appeals, and employee benefit issues.
Lead benefit plan changes, vendor transitions, system testing, payroll deduction validation, and data-feed coordination.
Maintain benefit reporting, compliance calendars, procedures, and audit-ready documentation.
Support qualified and non-qualified retirement plan administration, as applicable.
Identify opportunities to improve vendor performance, employee experience, internal controls, and operational efficiency.