Benefits Manager

Richmond University Medical Center•New York, NY

1d•$100,000 - $120,000•Onsite

About The Position

An experienced and service-oriented Benefits Manager to oversee the administration, compliance, communication, and strategic management of employee benefits programs for a complex unionized healthcare environment. The Benefits Manager is responsible for ensuring accurate and compliant administration of health and welfare benefits, leave of absence programs, retirement plans, and employee wellness initiatives while providing exceptional employee support and maintaining compliance with all applicable federal, New York State, and New York City laws and regulations. This role partners closely with Human Resources leadership, Payroll, Employee Health Services, Labor Relations, Finance, external vendors, union representatives, and hospital leadership to support the organization’s workforce and operational goals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, or related field required.
Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive benefits and leave administration experience required.
Experience in a unionized healthcare environment strongly preferred.
Experience with Workday HRIS preferred.
Strong working knowledge of New York State and New York City employment and leave laws required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
CEBS, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or related certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Administer all employee benefit programs including: Medical, dental, vision, prescription, and life insurance, Disability and voluntary benefit programs, Retirement and pension plans, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Commuter and wellness programs, COBRA administration.
Serve as primary liaison with benefit carriers, brokers, consultants, third-party administrators, and union benefit funds.
Manage benefits enrollment, qualifying life events, annual open enrollment, and employee education initiatives.
Ensure timely and accurate processing of benefit changes through HRIS and payroll systems, including Workday.
Reconcile benefit invoices and coordinate with Payroll and Finance regarding deductions and vendor payments.
Monitor benefit utilization trends and assist in benefits strategy and cost-containment initiatives.
Oversee and manage all leave programs, including: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), New York Paid Family Leave (NYS PFL), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodation coordination, Workers’ Compensation coordination, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Military leave, Personal and union contractual leaves, New York City Earned Safe and Sick Leave requirements.
Ensure timely issuance of required notices, certifications, tracking, and documentation.
Coordinate interactive process discussions related to accommodations and return-to-work matters.
Partner with Employee Health Services and department leadership on fitness-for-duty and return-to-work clearances.
Maintain accurate leave tracking systems and reporting metrics.
Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including but not limited to: ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, FMLA, ADA, NYS Paid Family Leave, NYC Earned Safe and Sick Leave Law, Section 125 regulations, Medicare Secondary Payer rules, OSHA recordkeeping coordination as applicable.
Coordinate annual required notices and benefits-related compliance communications.
Assist with audits, filings, reporting, and responses to regulatory inquiries.
Maintain confidentiality and security of employee health and benefits information.
Provide high-level support and guidance to employees, managers, and leadership regarding benefits and leave matters.
Conduct benefits orientation sessions for new hires and educational sessions for staff.
Resolve escalated employee concerns related to claims, coverage, leaves, and eligibility issues.
Partner with Labor Relations regarding union contract interpretation as it pertains to benefits and leave administration.
Promote a positive employee experience through responsive and compassionate service.
Maintain benefits and leave data integrity within Workday and related systems.
Develop reports, dashboards, and metrics related to benefits utilization, leave trends, compliance, and staffing impacts.
Recommend and implement process improvements and automation opportunities.
Support annual budget planning related to employee benefits costs and utilization forecasting.
Supervise and mentor benefits staff and/or leave administration personnel as assigned.
Collaborate with HR leadership on strategic workforce and wellness initiatives.
Participate in hospital committees and organizational initiatives as appropriate.
Support organizational readiness during emergencies, labor actions, regulatory surveys, and operational transitions.