Lead Benefits Specialist, Benefit Plan Governance

MANTECH•Herndon, VA

21h•Hybrid

About The Position

MANTECH International Corporation seeks an experienced, results-driven Lead Benefits Specialist to join its Total Rewards team in Herndon, Virginia. This hybrid position requires onsite presence two to three times per week. The role leads benefits plan governance, compliance, audits, employee leave administration, and wellbeing initiatives. It partners with senior benefits personnel, administrators, vendors, consultants, and the Executive Director, Total Rewards to oversee plan integrity, analyze utilization and costs, and recommend plan or policy changes. The specialist also serves as an expert escalation point for complex employee inquiries, leave requests, compliance matters, and appeals. Applicants must be U.S. citizens.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or a related field, or four additional years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
At least 7 years of progressive experience in employee benefits administration, employee leave management, and benefits compliance.
Demonstrated benefits plan governance experience, including SPDs, ASAs, and vendor agreements within the government contracting industry.
Strong working knowledge of federal and statutory regulations, including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, and FAR/SCA fringe benefit rules.
Experience developing or leading employee wellbeing initiatives and executing leave policies.
Advanced proficiency with HRIS platforms and MS Excel analytical capabilities.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must be able to remain stationary 50% of the time; occasionally move around the office to access cabinets and machinery and interact with staff; and frequently communicate and exchange accurate information with coworkers, management, and vendors, including through presentations.

Nice To Haves

Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) or Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) designation.
SHRM-CP/SCP or SPHR professional certification.
Deep experience configuring the Workday HRIS platform for benefits and leave administration.
Proven record of managing third-party administrator (TPA) performance and conducting compliance audits.

Responsibilities

Lead benefits governance, including development and updates of Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs), Administrative Services Agreements (ASAs), Evidences of Coverage (EOCs), and Statements of Work (SOWs).
Serve as the primary point of contact for administration of healthcare compliance legislation and programs, including HIPAA, MHPAEA, COBRA, PCORI, ACA reporting, and required annual notices.
Lead annual audits for 401(k) and Health & Welfare plans and Service Contract Act (SCA) matters; manage and review Form 5500 filings, annual notices, and Non-Discrimination Testing (NDT).
Lead administration and execution of employee leave programs, including coordination of state leave with federal FMLA, integration of STD/LTD, and oversight of the ADA interactive accommodation process.
Champion and expand MANTECH’s holistic wellbeing strategy to support total health and employee engagement.
Partner with senior benefits personnel, third-party administrators, and vendors on fiduciary oversight, risk mitigation, and benefit-program integrity.
Work with benefits consultants and the Executive Director, Total Rewards to evaluate plan utilization, benchmark against industry standards, analyze cost trends, and recommend policy and plan design adjustments to leadership.
Handle escalations involving complex employee inquiries, leave requests, and benefit-plan compliance; serve as the primary escalation point for appeals.