Senior Manager, Benefits

Kent•Houston, TX

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Kent is looking for a Senior Manager, Benefits that will be responsible for both the strategic leadership and hands-on execution of the company’s comprehensive benefits programs across all business units. This role requires a highly engaged leader who can operate at both a strategic and operational level—personally driving program design, administration, compliance, vendor management, and issue resolution. The ideal candidate is a player-coach who is comfortable rolling up their sleeves to manage day-to-day benefits operations while building and evolving a scalable, competitive benefits strategy. This role includes direct oversight and active management of benefits programs in the U.S., Canada, and Trinidad & Tobago, ensuring alignment with local regulations, market practices, and organizational objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred
Minimum 8–12 years of progressive experience in benefits or total rewards, with at least 3–5 years in a leadership role
Deep expertise in retirement plans (401(k)), health & welfare programs, and leave management
Demonstrated experience managing benefits programs in US, Canada and Trinidad & Tobago, including knowledge of local regulations, market practices, and vendor landscapes
Strong knowledge of benefits regulations and compliance requirements (ERISA, ACA, FMLA, COBRA, HIPAA), along with international benefits governance
Experience in the energy, engineering, or industrial sector preferred
Proven ability to manage vendors, negotiate contracts, and optimize program performance across multiple countries
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and translate insights into action
Experience with HRIS and benefits administration systems (Oracle and ADP Preferred)
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience working across diverse cultural and geographic environments
Demonstrates strong attention to detail when administering employee benefits, ensuring accuracy in data entry, eligibility tracking, and compliance with plan requirements and regulatory standards
Ability to set priorities, work independently, and coordinate multiple projects utilizing available resources
Strategic Alignment: Ensuring teams and initiatives support the organization's mission and objectives
Process Optimization: Streamlining workflows and removing inefficiencies
Talent Management: Developing leaders, fostering employee engagement, and building a high-performance culture
Change Management: Guiding the organization through transitions to improve adaptability and resilience
Collaboration & Communication: Encouraging teamwork and transparency to drive better decision-making
Resilience: Adapting to challenges, setbacks, and changes with a strong, solution-oriented mindset while staying focused, maintaining composure under pressure, and continuously learning from experiences to improve and move forward
Agility: Ability to pivot quickly, embrace change and adjust strategies and plans as needed while staying flexible, open to innovation, and responsive to evolving business needs
HSSEQ: The Employee shall observe the Health, Safety, Sustainability, Environment and Quality rules of the Company; it’s clients and the governing authorities of the host country.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead a comprehensive benefits strategy aligned with organizational goals and employee needs, while actively driving execution and continuous improvement of programs
Oversee and personally guide the design, evaluation, and optimization of benefit programs, including core health plans, retirement benefits, wellness initiatives, and voluntary offerings
Lead and execute RFPs, vendor evaluations, contract negotiations, and plan redesign efforts end-to-end
Ensure benefit programs effectively support attraction, retention, and long-term engagement through both strategic direction and hands-on program management
Direct and remain actively involved in the day-to-day administration of all benefits for a large, distributed employee population
Own and execute annual open enrollment, including system readiness, vendor coordination, employee communications, and issue resolution
Lead plan renewals, including hands-on involvement in cost analysis, negotiations, and decision-making
Manage partnerships with brokers, carriers, consultants, and third-party administrators, while proactively monitoring performance and resolving service issues
Maintain and continuously improve benefits communication channels and documentation, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and employee understanding
Oversee and personally review all required notices, plan documents, wrap documents, and compliance-related materials
Take a hands-on role in managing billing processes, eligibility reconciliation, and resolution of discrepancies
Coordinate and directly support the annual retirement plan audit, including data validation, documentation, and auditor interactions
Serve as an internal expert on ACA compliance, with direct accountability for eligibility tracking, affordability analysis, reporting, and measurement periods
Oversee and remain closely involved in the administration of leave of absence programs (federal, state, and company- specific), including escalations and complex cases
Manage employee accommodation processes, ensuring timely, compliant, and practical solutions
Ensure full compliance with ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, and all related federal and state regulations through active oversight and hands-on review of processes and outputs
Own and manage IRS and regulatory penalty assessments, including research, response development, corrective actions, and communication
Partner directly with legal counsel, brokers, and vendors during audits, filings, and government inquiries, playing an active role in preparation and response
Independently analyze benefits data to assess plan performance, identify trends, and implement actionable improvements
Develop and deliver clear, data-driven executive-level reports, translating insights into strategic recommendations
Build, manage, and track the annual benefits budget, maintaining direct ownership of cost forecasting, monitoring, and cost-containment initiatives
Lead, mentor, and develop the benefits team while remaining actively engaged in team deliverables and day-to-day operations
Collaborate closely with HR, payroll, legal, and operational partners to troubleshoot issues, streamline processes, and ensure seamless execution
Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing practical, actionable guidance on benefits trends, compliance risks, and strategic opportunities
In addition to the responsibilities listed herein, the employee may be required to perform other ad-hoc tasks as needed or directed by the supervisor or management. These tasks will be within the reasonable scope of the employee's skills, capabilities, and role within the organization. The intent of this provision is to allow for flexibility and adaptability in meeting the dynamic needs of the organization, ensuring that operational requirements can be met efficiently. All such tasks will be assigned considering the employee's current workload and with respect to their professional development.