HR Benefits Manager

Continuserve•Atlanta, GA

3d•Remote

About The Position

The Benefits Manager is responsible for the strategic oversight, administration, compliance, and continuous improvement of the organization's employee benefits and leave programs. This position serves as the primary liaison between employees, vendors, brokers, and carriers, ensuring the effective delivery of health and welfare benefits, retirement plans, leave administration, and employee wellness initiatives. The Benefits Manager provides leadership in plan design, compliance, employee communications, vendor management, and benefits operations while ensuring a positive employee experience.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience administering employee benefit programs across all 50 states, with a strong understanding of federal and state compliance requirements.
Expertise managing complex benefits structures, including multiple employee eligibility groups, varied plan designs, and diverse workforce populations.
Advanced knowledge of ACA eligibility and measurement periods, including the administration and interpretation of look-back measurement, stability, and administrative periods for different employee classifications.
Experience overseeing multiple health and welfare benefit plans, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and voluntary benefit offerings.
Working knowledge of deferred compensation and retirement programs, including 403(b), 401(k), nonqualified deferred compensation plans, and executive benefit arrangements.
Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, and organizational integrations, including benefits due diligence, plan harmonization, employee transition strategies, vendor coordination, and post-acquisition benefits administration.
Proven ability to assess benefits-related risks, identify compliance considerations, and develop recommendations during organizational growth, restructuring, and acquisition activities.
Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills
Experience managing benefits administration for a multi-state, multi-location company
Proven organizational skills and attention to detail
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Thorough understanding of local, state, and federal laws involving employment, HR, and benefits administration
Proficient with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite, or related software
Proficient with or the ability to quickly learn the organization’s HRIS, payroll, and similar human resource management software and practices
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Industrial Psychology, or related field is required
At least 3 years of experience in a similar benefits leadership role
Ability to lift and carry up to 20-25 pounds
Ability to sit, stand and walk for prolonged periods of time throughout the workday
Ability to use standard office equipment such as personal computer, laptop, telephone, photocopy machine, etc.

Nice To Haves

SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP, preferred
Previous Workday and Ceridian systems experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Administer and oversee employee health and welfare benefit programs across all 50 states and Canada, ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, local, and provincial regulations.
Manage complex benefits structures, including multiple employee eligibility groups, varied plan designs, and diverse workforce populations.
Serve as the subject matter expert on ACA compliance, including eligibility determinations, look-back measurement periods, stability periods, administrative periods, and reporting requirements.
Lead the administration of health and welfare benefit plans, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, voluntary benefits, and leave-related programs.
Administer and support retirement and deferred compensation programs, including 401(k), nonqualified deferred compensation, and executive benefit plans.
Partner with brokers, carriers, third-party administrators, payroll providers, and internal stakeholders to ensure effective plan administration and issue resolution.
Lead benefits due diligence efforts for mergers, acquisitions, and organizational integrations, including plan analysis, compliance reviews, vendor coordination, employee transition planning, and benefit harmonization strategies.
Evaluate benefits-related compliance risks and develop recommendations to mitigate exposure during periods of organizational growth, restructuring, acquisitions, and workforce changes.
Analyze benefits utilization, costs, and trends to identify opportunities for program enhancements, cost containment, and improved employee experience.
Develop, maintain, and communicate benefits policies, procedures, and employee communications to ensure understanding and compliance across the organization.
Provide strategic guidance to leadership regarding benefits design, compliance obligations, regulatory changes, and emerging industry best practices.
Manage and resolve escalated benefits inquiries, including complex cases involving plan and policy interpretation across U.S. states in which the company operates and Canada.
Administer and provide team guidance and training for corporate health benefit plans, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, and COBRA.
Process enrollments and plan changes and manage the annual benefit open enrollment program and QLEs
Collect and compile key HR metrics and data from a variety of sources, including human resource information systems (HRIS) and payroll outputs, benefits enrollment records, management, and employee surveys, exit interviews, personnel records, government labor statistics, competitors’ practices, and other sources
Ensure compliance with data privacy regulations and best practices
May hire, train, and oversee staff in the department
Provides constructive and timely performance coaching