Benefits Manager

Rural Metro Fire•Huntsville, AL

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Benefits Manager is responsible for the design, administration, and ongoing management of the organization's employee benefits programs, including health and welfare plans, retirement plans, and leave programs. This role serves as a trusted advisor to leaders, managers, and employees on benefits programs, policies, and resources, ensures compliance with applicable regulations, and manages relationships with benefits vendors and carriers to deliver cost-effective, competitive, and well-administered benefits to the organization's multi-state workforce.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
5+ years of progressive experience in employee benefits administration, including at least 2 years in management or lead capacity.
Strong working knowledge of ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, FMLA, IRS regulations, and other legislation governing employee benefits.
Experience administering benefits within ADP and UKG, or comparable HRIS/WFM platforms, strongly preferred.
Experience working with retirement plan administrators (e.g., Empower) and major medical carriers (e.g., Blue Cross Blue Shield) preferred.
Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) or similar professional certification is a plus.
Strong analytical skills, with the ability to evaluate vendor invoices, plan costs, and utilization data.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with employees at all levels, across both corporate departments and field locations.
Sound judgment and problem-solving ability, with a track record of working through complex issues to find practical, well-reasoned solutions.

Nice To Haves

Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) or similar professional certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

Manage the administration of all employee benefit plans, including medical (self-insured), dental, vision, life insurance, disability, flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), the 401(k)-retirement plan, employee assistance program (EAP), and voluntary/supplemental benefits.
Serve as the primary administrator and point of contact for the organization's 401(k) retirement plan, working with the plan's third-party administrator, Empower, on plan operations, contributions, compliance testing, and participant issues.
Serve as the primary point of contact with Blue Cross Blue Shield and other carriers on plan design, renewals, claims escalations, and day-to-day plan administration.
Create and monitor the structures and processes necessary to manage benefit plans in an efficient, compliant, and cost-effective manner.
Analyze and evaluate services, coverage, and options available through insurance and investment providers to determine the programs that best meet the needs of the organization; prepare analysis and recommendations for Executive Management.
Manage the input and auditing of employee benefits data in ADP (HRIS/payroll) and UKG (workforce management) and oversee the accurate transfer of data to external vendors, plan providers, auditors, and consultants.
Maintain benefit plan compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, FMLA, IRS, and other applicable federal, state, and local rules and regulations.
Assist employees and families with life insurance and disability claim processing.
Manage relationships with benefits brokers, carriers, and third-party administrators, including ADP, UKG, Empower, Blue Cross, and other benefits vendors, to ensure accurate and timely plan administration.
Reconcile monthly vendor invoices against enrollment and payroll data, verifying calculations and resolving discrepancies prior to payment.
Review payroll and HRIS reports to prepare wire and payment requests for employee benefit deductions and vendor invoices.
Prepare cost allocation reports by department/business unit using data from ADP, UKG, and benefits systems for finance and budgeting purposes.
Ensure complete and timely benefits recordkeeping by reconciling data between ADP/UKG and benefits/carrier systems.
Support internal and external auditors on benefits-related processes and recordkeeping.
Plan, design, and lead annual open enrollment, including employee communications, system configuration in ADP, and presentations to employees and leadership.
Act as a trusted advisor to leaders, managers, and employees on benefit programs, policies, and available resources.
Respond to employee benefits questions and issues in a professional and timely manner and interface with carriers and vendors to resolve escalated issues.
Develop and maintain benefits-related communications, guides, and policy documentation for use by employees, management, and recruiters.
Ensure all government-mandated filings and notices (e.g., Form 5500, ACA reporting, required participant notices) are prepared and submitted in a timely manner.
Audit benefit plans for compliance with government regulations and monitor benefit program trends and prevailing practices.
Maintain and enforce benefits-related policies and procedures, and ensure paperwork and processes are accurate and compliant.
Escalate concerns regarding questionable documentation or compliance issues to appropriate management.
Complete all required compliance training within the required time.