Sr. Manager, Benefits

HEALTHSTREAM INC•Nashville, TN

4d•$89,637 - $138,937•Hybrid

About The Position

The Sr. Manager, Benefits is an engaged and proactive strategic leader who serves as the face of HealthStream’s employee benefits — championing, designing, and executing a best-in-class benefits experience for HealthStreamers. This role is responsible for managing and administering HealthStream’s employee benefits programs, which include medical, retirement plans (401k), wellness programs, leave management, and voluntary products. As the company’s subject matter expert on benefit programs, the Sr. Manager, Benefits owns the full lifecycle of benefit plan evaluation, design, implementation, and administration. This leader will be deeply engaged — not only managing the operational details but actively driving the strategic direction of benefits to attract, retain, and support our employees. The Sr. Manager, Benefits will manage the relationship and partner with our benefits broker to ensure company benefits are in compliance with company policies and federal, state, and local regulations, and is also responsible for ensuring continuous education, training, and communications to employees on their available benefits.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field and/or minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in benefits administration
In-depth knowledge of benefit plan design, administration, compliance, and regulations, including ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, and other relevant legislation.
Demonstrated experience managing a self-funded health plan, including TPA oversight, stop-loss negotiation, claims analytics, and plan design optimization.
Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing comprehensive benefit programs that align with company objectives and meet the needs of a diverse employee population.
Strong understanding of healthcare benefits, retirement plans, and wellness initiatives, including emerging trends and best practices.
Excellent project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a keen attention to detail.
Proven experience in vendor management, including contract negotiation and performance evaluation.
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner to employees, leadership, and executive partners including the CFO and COO.
Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners.
Proficient in HRIS and benefits administration systems, with advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite.

Nice To Haves

Professional certifications in benefits administration (e.g., CEBS, CBP) are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Serve as the strategic leader and primary executor of HealthStream’s benefits programs — setting the vision, driving decisions, and owning outcomes across all benefit offerings.
Act as the face of benefits for the company, building trust and credibility with employees at all levels by being accessible, knowledgeable, and responsive on all benefits matters.
Develop and execute a strategic vision for employee benefit programs, aligning them with the company’s goals, workforce needs, and financial objectives.
Design and administer comprehensive benefits plans, including medical, dental, vision, disability, retirement (401k), wellness, and voluntary programs.
Lead and manage HealthStream’s health plan, including oversight of plan performance, claims analysis, stop-loss coverage, TPA relationships, and utilization management to ensure the plan is cost-effective, compliant, and competitive.
Monitor plan financials, analyze claims trends and cost drivers, and proactively implement plan design changes or wellness strategies to mitigate risk and manage spend.
Partner closely with the VP of Human Resources, CFO, and COO on benefits cost management strategy, providing data-driven insights and recommendations to control healthcare spend while maintaining a competitive benefits offering.
Research, evaluate, and negotiate contracts with benefit plan providers, ensuring cost-effectiveness and high-quality services.
Oversee the day-to-day administration of benefit programs, including enrollment, changes, and terminations, ensuring accurate and timely processing.
Ensure the benefits team is responsive to employees’ benefit-related inquiries and is providing guidance and resolving issues in a professional and timely manner.
Stay updated on industry trends, best practices, and regulatory changes in benefits administration, proactively adjusting programs to remain competitive and compliant.
Identify opportunities for efficiency and deploy automation where possible with a focus on continuous process improvements and cost savings.
Collaborate with HR, Finance, and Legal departments to ensure benefit programs meet financial objectives, regulatory requirements, and internal policies.
Conduct regular audits and reviews of benefit plans, processes, and vendors, identifying areas for improvement and implementing necessary changes.
Prepare and deliver proactive communications and educational materials to employees regarding benefit programs, ensuring high employee engagement and understanding.
Manage and analyze benefits data, generating reports and insights to inform decision-making and evaluate program effectiveness.
Lead open enrollment processes, including communication campaigns, systems coordination, and employee education sessions.
Coordinate with external auditors and consultants during benefit plan audits, ensuring accurate and timely completion.