Strategic Benefits Program Manager
About The Position
The Strategic Benefits Program Manager will manage assigned benefit program portfolios, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy and employee needs. This role involves evaluating program effectiveness, vendor performance, employee experience, and cost implications. The manager will conduct benchmarking, gap analysis, and research to support program recommendations, and translate strategy into operational requirements. A key focus will be on the Retirement & Financial Wellness Portfolio, managing defined contribution plans, ancillary benefits, time away from work policies (PTO, FMLA), life and disability insurance, and financial wellness initiatives. The role also supports governance, compliance, and audit readiness for these programs.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Health Administration, Public Administration, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in employee benefits, benefits consulting, or a related field.
- Experience supporting or managing benefit program design, vendor coordination, policy interpretation, compliance activities, or large-scale benefits initiatives.
- Experience working with cross-functional stakeholders including Shared Services, HRIS, Payroll, Finance, Legal, Communications, and external vendors or consultants.
- Demonstrated ability to lead projects, analyze complex issues, and develop actionable recommendations.
- Advanced knowledge of employee benefits programs and plan design across multiple domains.
- Strong understanding of either health & welfare or retirement/financial wellness programs.
- Ability to assess program effectiveness and develop strategic recommendations.
- Knowledge of benefits regulations and compliance requirements (e.g., ERISA, ACA, IRS, DOL, HIPAA).
- Strong vendor management and project management skills.
- Ability to translate complex concepts into operational and employee-facing guidance.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
- Ability to influence across a matrixed organization without direct authority.
Responsibilities
- Manages assigned benefit program portfolios, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy and employee needs.
- Evaluates program effectiveness, vendor performance, employee experience, and cost implications.
- Conducts benchmarking, gap analysis, and research to support program recommendations.
- Develops program options, implementation plans, timelines, and leadership recommendations.
- Translates strategy into operational requirements, including impacts to systems, vendors, Shared Services, and communications.
- Serves as the Benefits COE liaison to Shared Services and ensures alignment between policy and operations.
- Owns policy, procedures, and compliance governance for assigned programs.
- Coordinates vendor, broker, and consultant interactions, including performance evaluation and implementation support.
- Provides subject matter expertise for employee communications and education strategies.
- Leads cross-functional benefit projects and change initiatives.
- Manages retirement and financial wellness programs, including defined contribution plans and ancillary benefits.
- Manages Time Away From work policies, including Paid Time Off (PTO), Leave of Absence (FMLA) strategy, and other leaves.
- Manages life and disability strategy as well as related insurance coverage.
- Evaluates plan performance, participation trends, and retirement readiness metrics.
- Partners with recordkeepers, investment advisors, and consultants on plan oversight and improvements.
- Develops and supports financial wellness initiatives and employee education strategies.
- Supports governance activities, plan compliance, and audit readiness.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
