Sr Manager, Benefits

Job Overview:The Sr Benefits Director develops, implements, administers, and maintains benefits programs, policies and procedures. This role is responsible for ensuring that our benefit programs support the needs of our employees and help them attain their highest level of overall well-being, while also complying with legal requirements, and ensuring cost effectiveness. Responsibilities/Essential Functions: The Sr Benefits Manager is responsible for leading the Benefits Team in the day-to-day administration, recommendations, and evaluation of employee programs. The Sr Benefits Manger must balance being hands-on with day-to-day priorities while providing a strategic approach and vision for the design & administration of best-in-class benefits programs.  --Manage benefit staff in day-to-day performance of job responsibilities. Assisting team with eligibility or benefit plan issues, Tier 2 customer service issues, etc.  --Lead the administration of benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, COBRA, FSA, HSA, and any other employee benefit offerings. --Oversee relationships with vendors and carriers, including monitoring cost, service levels, processes and accuracy of data as primary point of contact for escalated benefits issues. --Ensure compliance of Health & Welfare and Retirement programs in accordance with regulatory and legislative requirements, ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA and other local regulatory and legislative requirements and will coordinate preparation of filings with federal and state agencies, including IRS and DOL and other regulatory agencies. --Anticipate and respond to changes in benefits legislation and manage the implementation of corresponding programs, policies and procedures. --Manage the annual benefits open enrollment process to ensure all milestones/goals are met along with the annual rate setting. --Drive a data-driven approach for benefit design, wellness policies and programs, and other related initiatives. --Manage effective communications of benefit strategies and programs by partnering with HR leadership, Support/Field staff and Internal Communications to deliver employee communications to impact participation and employee engagement. --Oversee internal process for Leave of Absence Management alongside with our disability carriers and leave administrator. --Execute Wellness initiatives for larger office/field locations along with working with leadership and set strategy to utilize funds VEBA funds. --Provide benefit analysis and support acquisition efforts for all mergers and acquisitions as needed. --Partner with the HRIS and Payroll teams to ensure that the HR/Payroll system meets benefit needs and is updated to reflect changes to benefit programs, benefit tax changes, etc. Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: --Demonstrated knowledge of benefit program concepts. --Demonstrated expertise of research methods and report preparation. --Demonstrated ability to effectively take action to solve problems while exhibiting sound judgment and successful stress tolerance. --Demonstrated ability to identify problems and think independently about alternative ways to solve problems based on analysis of data. --Ability to offer advanced solutions based on collected, summarized, and analyzed data. --Ability to work effectively with all levels of employees and management. --Strong communication skills and the ability to develop and guide processes through to closure. --Demonstrated proficiency with the standard features of various personal computer word processing and spreadsheet software (Microsoft Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Internet, HRIS and other proprietary software). --Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to work effectively under pressure and deal with multiple priorities. --Demonstrated ability to handle confidential material and information in an ethical, professional manner.  Experience/Qualifications: --Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management or Human Resources with 7+ years of experience supporting Benefit Strategy/Programs --Excellent written and verbal communication skills --Ability to work in a fast-paced environment --Proficient in the use of Office 365 tools (Word, Excel, Power Point) --Experience within a union environment highly desirable --Experience with UKG (HR/Payroll system) License Requirements/Certifications: --CEBS or similar certification or progress toward certification preferred Working Environment/Safety Requirements/Physical Requirements: --Office environment