Benefits Manager

Related•New York, NY

20d•$120,000 - $140,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Related Companies is seeking an experienced and strategic Benefits Manager to help lead the day-to-day delivery of our Benefits program. In this role, you will partner closely with the Director of Benefits to execute strategy and drive operational excellence across our Health & Welfare plans, manage benefit vendor relationships, and translate strategic priorities into execution across the program. This position will report directly to the Director of Benefits and serve as a key operational leader within the function. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Requirements

BA or BS from an accredited university.
6+ years of progressive benefits experience.
Expertise managing US employee benefits and vendor relationships.
Thorough knowledge of ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA and other state/federal requirements.
Experience working with a diverse workforce, including corporate and site employees, ideally in complex, multi-state or union environments.
Data-driven, with the motivation and skills to improve Benefits analytics and generate actionable insights.
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
Familiarity with AI and automation tools, and the ability to apply them to improve benefits administration, employee support, and reporting.
Familiarity with HRIS systems and reporting, preferably UKG.
Ability to work autonomously and exercise sound judgement within an established strategic framework.
Strong leadership skills and the ability to mentor and grow junior members of the team.
Excellent time management and organizational skills, and the ability to be agile/pivot quickly as company needs change.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with pension plans and Union populations a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead the day-to-day administration and delivery of various benefits plans including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance, short and long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, wellness plans, and retirement plans.
Own and manage carrier/vendor relationships, including performance, issue resolution, and ongoing optimization
Oversee and continuously improve the employee support model for benefits, including managing escalations and enhancing processes and tools to scale service delivery.
Ensure all company plans are compliant with applicable rules and regulations, and lead coordination of state and federal audits and filings.
Assist with annual Open Enrollment, including communications, elections and audits.
Evaluate current benefit offerings and make recommendations that inform plan design, quotes, experience and population needs.
Stay up to date with new offerings, trends, tools, and best practices, bringing forward ideas to enhance program effectiveness and employee experience.
Partner frequently with internal departments, such as finance, payroll and IT to ensure alignment and effective delivery of benefit programs.
Oversee the company wellness program, including event planning and budget management, with a focus on engagement and impact.
Partner with the communications team to create and distribute benefits-related materials, such as vendor updates, quarterly newsletters, and key announcements.
Identify and implement opportunities to leverage automation and AI to improve benefits administration, employee support and reporting.