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Benefits Manager

The Benefits Manager develops, executes, and maintains benefits programs, policies, and procedures for the organization. Their responsibility is to ensure that benefits programs address the needs of the employees, comply with legal requirements, and are cost-effective.
HR Role family: Solution architect
Salary range: $80,000 - 97,000Gross salary range estimation based on US salary benchmark data collected in 2022
Work experience: 3-7 yearsAverage minimum year of (relevant) work experience required for this role.

Key Responsibilities

Provides counsel to employees on benefits-related issues to ensure they are equipped with the necessary knowledge
Designs new and improves existing benefits programs to ensure the organization can compete with its competitors in recruiting and retaining talent
Ensures the benefits programs meet the needs of the organization and maintain compliance with state/national laws and regulations
Manage relationships with benefits providers, including negotiating contracts and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.

Skills & Competencies

Analytics Translation
Benefits and Rewards
Builds Trust
Compensation
Data-Driven
Develops and Coaches
Employee Health
HR Operations and Administration
Manages Conflict
Safety and Wellbeing
Solves Problems
Understands Customers

Career paths

Path 1
Path 2
Path 3
Benefits Manager
Shared Services Manager
Shared Services Executive
Benefits Manager
Director Total Rewards
Benefits Manager
HR Operations Manager
Shared Services Manager
Shared Services Executive

Training programs

Certificate Program

HR Business Partner 2.0

Intermediate | 46 hours

Take your rightful seat at the table with strategic business partner skills.

Certificate Program

Compensation & Benefits

Intermediate | 28 hours

Become a total rewards expert and learn everything you need to create a future-proof C&B strategy.

More details & resources

Job Description Template: Benefits Manager

The Benefits Manager leads the development, implementation, and administration of employee benefits programs. This role ensures that our benefits packages are competitive, cost-effective, and in compliance with relevant regulations.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Develop and implement employee benefits programs that are aligned with the organization's strategic objectives.
  • Research and analyze industry trends to ensure that our benefits packages are competitive and meet the needs of our employees.
  • Manage relationships with benefits providers, including negotiating contracts and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
  • Develop and maintain benefits communication programs to educate employees about their benefits options and promote participation.
  • Manage benefits enrollment processes and ensure timely and accurate administration of benefits.
  • Work with the HR team to ensure that benefits programs are integrated with other HR programs and processes.
  • Develop and maintain metrics to track the effectiveness of benefits programs and identify opportunities for improvement.
  • Provide support and guidance to employees regarding their benefits options and resolve any issues related to benefits.
  • Stay current with developments in benefits regulations and ensure that the organization's benefits programs are in compliance.

Key Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
  • 5+ years of experience in benefits administration, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
  • Strong knowledge of employee benefits regulations and compliance requirements.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex benefits information to employees at all levels of the organization.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to research and analyze data to inform benefits decisions.
  • Proven ability to manage relationships with benefits providers and negotiate contracts.
  • Experience with benefits enrollment and administration systems.
  • Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with a high level of initiative and attention to detail.

Detailed Responsibilities & Tasks

  • Develop and implement employee benefits programs that are aligned with the organization's strategic objectives.
  • Research and analyze industry trends to ensure that our benefits packages are competitive and meet the needs of our employees.
  • Manage relationships with benefits providers, including negotiating contracts and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
  • Develop and maintain benefits communication programs to educate employees about their benefits options and promote participation.
  • Manage benefits enrollment processes and ensure timely and accurate administration of benefits.
  • Work with the HR team to ensure that benefits programs are integrated with other HR programs and processes.
  • Develop and maintain metrics to track the effectiveness of benefits programs and identify opportunities for improvement.
  • Provide support and guidance to employees regarding their benefits options and resolve any issues related to benefits.
  • Stay current with developments in benefits regulations and ensure that the organization's benefits programs are in compliance

Detailed Skills Description

  • Knowledge of benefit plans and programs: A benefits manager should have in-depth knowledge of different benefit plans and programs, such as healthcare, retirement, wellness, disability, and life insurance plans. They should also be aware of current regulations and compliance requirements related to these plans.
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills: A benefits manager should be able to analyze and interpret data related to benefits plans and programs, identify trends, and make recommendations for improvements. They should also be able to solve complex problems related to benefit plans and programs.
  • Communication and interpersonal skills: A benefits manager should have excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with employees, management, vendors, and third-party administrators. They should be able to clearly communicate complex benefit plan information to employees in a way that is easily understood.
  • Project management skills: Benefits managers are responsible for managing multiple projects related to benefit plan design, implementation, and administration. They should have excellent project management skills to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and meet the needs of the organization and its employees.
  • Attention to detail: Benefits managers should have strong attention to detail to ensure that all benefit plans and programs are administered accurately and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
  • Strategic thinking: Benefits managers should have a strategic mindset and be able to think long-term about benefit plan design and implementation. They should be able to align benefit plans with the organization's goals and objectives and make recommendations for improvements based on data analysis

KPIs for this role

  • Benefits program participation rate: This KPI measures the percentage of eligible employees who are enrolled in the company's benefits programs. A high participation rate indicates that the company's benefits package is attractive and valuable to employees.
  • Benefits cost per employee: This KPI measures the total cost of benefits per employee. It helps to track the company's spending on benefits and can identify areas for cost savings.
  • Benefits satisfaction rate: This KPI measures employee satisfaction with the company's benefits programs. It can be measured through surveys or other feedback mechanisms and helps to identify areas for improvement.
  • Benefits compliance: This KPI measures the company's compliance with relevant laws and regulations related to employee benefits. This includes compliance with ERISA, ACA, and other applicable laws.
  • Benefits administration accuracy: This KPI measures the accuracy of benefits data and ensures that employees are receiving the correct benefits. It helps to reduce errors and minimize compliance risk.
  • Benefits communication effectiveness: This KPI measures the effectiveness of the company's communication of benefits information to employees. It ensures that employees have a clear understanding of their benefits and can make informed decisions.
  • Benefits program ROI: This KPI measures the return on investment of the company's benefits programs. It helps to identify the benefits programs that are most effective in attracting and retaining employees.
  • Benefits program benchmarking: This KPI measures the company's benefits programs against industry benchmarks. It helps to ensure that the company's benefits package is competitive and aligned with industry standards