Manager, Employee Benefits - Human Resources

National Jewish Health•Denver, CO

About The Position

National Jewish Health is seeking an Employee Benefits Manager to lead the strategy, administration, compliance, and employee experience for the organization's comprehensive benefits programs. The role oversees health and welfare, retirement, leave, disability, workers' compensation, and ancillary benefits while ensuring operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and responsive service for employees. The manager evaluates plan performance and market competitiveness, develops data-driven recommendations, manages benefits staff and external partners, oversees benefits systems and operational controls, and ensures programs are administered consistently with plan documents and applicable requirements. The role partners with Human Resources, Payroll, HRIS, and IST to support accurate data and seamless benefits operations, and leads benefits communications, education, and annual enrollment. This position supports a workforce dedicated to advancing patient care, research, and education at National Jewish Health. It manages 1 to 3 employees and has no travel requirement.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required.
At least five years of progressive benefits experience, including complex plan administration.
At least five years of experience leading and managing a team.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor's degree in Human Resources Administration or a related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the administration and continuous improvement of employee benefits programs and services.
Manage, develop, and provide leadership, guidance, training, coaching, and performance management to benefits staff.
Oversee accurate and timely administration of health and welfare benefits, including eligibility, enrollment, life events, and escalated claims.
Manage broker, consultant, and vendor relationships to ensure compliant, cost-effective services and strong employee support.
Execute the organization's benefits strategy and lead implementation of approved plan changes, new offerings, and vendor transitions.
Identify opportunities to improve benefits administration, service delivery, and employee understanding of programs.
Manage 403(b), frozen pension, and deferred compensation plans, ensuring administration follows policies, plan documents, contracts, and regulatory requirements.
Guide leave and disability programs, including ADA, Colorado FAMLI, FMLA, short- and long-term disability, military leave, and other statutory or organizational leaves.
Maintain plan documents, summary plan descriptions, amendments, policies, and administrative procedures.
Support plan governance and ensure administration complies with applicable laws and requirements, including ERISA, DOL, IRS, HIPAA, FMLA, ADEA, and ADA.
Partner with HRIS, Payroll, and IST on benefits systems, data interfaces, payroll deductions, eligibility reconciliations, and data-quality controls.
Develop and execute year-round benefits communication and education strategies.
Lead annual enrollment planning and execution, including system readiness, decision-support resources, employee meetings, vendor coordination, targeted communications, and post-enrollment reconciliation.
Establish and monitor staff safety and regulatory compliance.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical coverage, including multiple Cigna health plans.
Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) available with some medical plans.
Paid time off for vacation and sick days, plus six paid holidays.
Dental and vision plans, with coverage effective the first of the month after hire.
403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions after two years.
Wellness incentives of up to $200 annually for preventive health activities.
Tuition reimbursement of up to $5,250 annually for full-time and part-time employees.
Childcare Flexible Spending Account with an annual employer contribution.
Employer is eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
Employer-paid disability and life insurance, with optional buy-up choices.
Voluntary coverage options, including Accident, Hospital Indemnity, and Legal Plan.
Exclusive discounts on local services, insurance, and RTD bus passes.