Sr. Manager, Benefits

Ardent Mills•Denver, CO

1d•$125,000 - $155,000

About The Position

Job Profile Summary: The Sr. Manager, Benefits supports the development and execution of benefits and recognition strategies across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, including health and welfare, retirement, wellness, and leave of absence programs. This role ensures programs are competitive, compliant, and aligned with team member well-being and organizational goals. The senior manager oversees daily operations, vendor relationships, and compliance activities, while partnering with internal stakeholders to ensure seamless program delivery. The role also manages open enrollment, analyzes program performance, supports benefits communications, and leads a high-performing team focused on delivering an excellent team member experience and continuous improvement in operational efficiency. Job Description: Lead the design, administration, and continuous improvement of U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico benefits programs, including health and welfare, retirement, wellness, recognition, leave of absence, and ancillary benefits. Influence and implement benefits and recognition strategies that align with organizational objectives, support team member well-being, and ensure competitiveness in the marketplace. Oversee benefits operations of fully insured and self-funded plans, ensuring accurate and timely processing of enrollments, claims, leave administration, vendor integrations, and benefits invoicing. Serve as a subject matter expert on benefits compliance, monitoring and ensuring adherence to applicable laws, such as ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, and local regulations. Partner with internal stakeholders, including HR Business Partners, Payroll, Finance, and Legal, to resolve benefits issues and ensure cohesive program administration. Manage relationships with external vendors, brokers, and consultants to ensure high service levels and cost-effective program delivery. Lead the annual benefits renewal and open enrollment process, including plan design, communications, system testing, and implementation of changes. Analyze benefits program utilization, costs, and trends, providing data-driven recommendations to optimize offerings and control expenses. Oversee the development of clear and effective team member communications related to benefits and recognition programs, policies, and processes that drive engagement. Provide leadership and guidance to a high performing benefits team, ensuring effective team performance, professional development, and continuous process improvement. Oversee the administration of multiple retirement plans, such as 401(k), SERP, Pension, RRSP, and TFSA, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and efficiency. Support benefits-related audit activities, government filings, and reporting, including Form 5500, ACA reporting, and nondiscrimination testing. Champion a culture of health and wellbeing while driving innovative initiatives to enhance the team member experience, drive retention, improve benefits administration efficiency, and support workforce health and financial security.

Requirements

Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in the analysis, design, implementation and administration of health, welfare, wellness, and retirement programs. In a large, decentralized, multi-state organization.
Bachelor's degree in human resources, or related field and/or equivalent work experience.
Strong leadership and team management skills.
Proven ability to set the direction, coach and lead team and follow up to ensure work is accurate and on schedule.
Excellent time management skills and ability to plan and set priorities.
Proven ability to analyze data on the cost of benefits and assess and devise programs that best fit an organization and its employees.
Strong business acumen, experience managing a budget, building business case recommendations, and understanding how benefit and retirement plans affect business finances.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills to all levels of the organization.
Strong project management, decision making skills, ability to weigh the strengths and opportunities within the benefits and retirement plans and choose the best options for the organization.
Computer proficiency and technical aptitude with the ability to use Workday and Microsoft Office products.
Knowledge of all federal, state and local regulations and compliance requirements related to employee benefits.
Knowledge of all Puerto Rico Territory and Canadian federal and provincial regulations and requirements preferred.
Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret and communicate data.
Working knowledge of federal and state and Canadian provincial regulations governing benefit and compensation programs, including but not limited to ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ACA and associated accounting and tax requirements.

Nice To Haves

Strong HRIS system knowledge related to benefits enrollment and reporting.
Workday system experience preferred.
Industry designations; Certified Benefits Professional (CBP), Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or other related certification desirable but not required
Experience with International Benefit programs; specifically Canadian and Puerto Rican benefits and retirement plans, preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, administration, and continuous improvement of U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico benefits programs, including health and welfare, retirement, wellness, recognition, leave of absence, and ancillary benefits.
Influence and implement benefits and recognition strategies that align with organizational objectives, support team member well-being, and ensure competitiveness in the marketplace.
Oversee benefits operations of fully insured and self-funded plans, ensuring accurate and timely processing of enrollments, claims, leave administration, vendor integrations, and benefits invoicing.
Serve as a subject matter expert on benefits compliance, monitoring and ensuring adherence to applicable laws, such as ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, and local regulations.
Partner with internal stakeholders, including HR Business Partners, Payroll, Finance, and Legal, to resolve benefits issues and ensure cohesive program administration.
Manage relationships with external vendors, brokers, and consultants to ensure high service levels and cost-effective program delivery.
Lead the annual benefits renewal and open enrollment process, including plan design, communications, system testing, and implementation of changes.
Analyze benefits program utilization, costs, and trends, providing data-driven recommendations to optimize offerings and control expenses.
Oversee the development of clear and effective team member communications related to benefits and recognition programs, policies, and processes that drive engagement.
Provide leadership and guidance to a high performing benefits team, ensuring effective team performance, professional development, and continuous process improvement.
Oversee the administration of multiple retirement plans, such as 401(k), SERP, Pension, RRSP, and TFSA, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and efficiency.
Support benefits-related audit activities, government filings, and reporting, including Form 5500, ACA reporting, and nondiscrimination testing.
Champion a culture of health and wellbeing while driving innovative initiatives to enhance the team member experience, drive retention, improve benefits administration efficiency, and support workforce health and financial security.