Benefits Manager

City Of Douglasville • Douglasville, GA

5d

About The Position

The Benefits Manager provides strategic leadership, administration, and continuous improvement of the City of Douglasville’s employee benefits programs. This role serves as the subject matter expert for benefits-related functions and oversees plan design, compliance, vendor management, and employee communications. Reporting to the Human Resources Director, the Benefits Manager manages benefits operations to support regulatory compliance, fiscal responsibility, risk mitigation, and high-quality service for active employees, retirees, and COBRA participants.

The position supervises the HR Programs and Benefits Specialist and works closely with Finance, Payroll, retirement systems, and external vendors. The Benefits Manager also supports benefits-related budgeting, audits, Open Records requests, and reporting, and collaborates with the Human Resources Director to align benefits strategy with HR operations and organizational goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in employee benefits administration, including experience with complex benefits programs.
• Experience administering employee benefits programs in a self-insured municipal or public sector environment.
• Experience working with HRIS platforms and benefits vendors.
• Thorough knowledge of employee benefits laws and regulations.
• Strong analytical skills related to benefits costs, utilization, and compliance.
• Ability to lead change initiatives related to benefits design and delivery.
• Ability to interpret plan documents and clearly communicate complex benefits information.
• Strong vendor management and negotiation skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate across departments and with external partners.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Experience in local government or public sector benefits administration.
• Professional certification such as CEBS, PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP.
• Experience supporting retiree populations and public-sector retirement systems.
• Experience with ADP HRIS platforms.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight and day-to-day management of employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, voluntary benefits, retirement plans, and COBRA administration.
• Serve as the City’s subject matter expert on benefits matters, including plan interpretation, eligibility, enrollment, and compliance.
• Lead annual open enrollment planning and execution, including vendor coordination, system configuration, employee communications, and enrollment validation.
• Oversee benefits compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, coordinating with legal counsel, brokers, and third-party administrators as needed.
• Manage relationships with benefits brokers, carriers, third-party administrators, and consultants; evaluate vendor performance, service delivery, and contract effectiveness, and recommend changes.
• Support benefits budget forecasting and total rewards planning.
• Partner with Finance to reconcile benefits invoices, monitor costs, resolve discrepancies, and support budget forecasting.
• Coordinate benefits data exchange and integration with HRIS, payroll, and vendor systems to ensure accuracy and data integrity.
• Supervise and guide the HR Programs and Benefits Specialist, ensuring timely processing of enrollments, changes, billing, and employee inquiries.
• Provide performance feedback and support the professional development of the HR Programs and Benefits Specialist.
• Develop and deliver benefits education, communications, and resources for employees.
• Support retirement-related processes, including onboarding, retiree transitions, and coordination with pension and retirement systems.
• Contribute to benefits-related audits, Open Records requests, and reporting requirements.
• Evaluate benefits programs and recommend plan design changes, enhancements, or cost-containment strategies based on utilization data, market trends, and organizational needs.
• Collaborate with the Human Resources Director to align benefits strategy with HR operations and organizational goals.
• Participate in cross-functional initiatives and committees as assigned.
• Perform related duties as required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager