HR - Benefits Administration Program Manager

TITLE: BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM MANAGER

STATUS: EXEMPT

REPORT TO: DIRECTOR - BENEFITS

DEPARTMENT: HR - Benefits

JOB CODE: 11917

PAY RANGE: $92,345.00 - $100,000.00 ANNUALLY

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Benefits Administration Program Manager is responsible for the strategic oversight, development, and administration of the organization’s employee benefits programs. This role ensures that all benefit offerings are competitive, compliant, and aligned with organizational goals. The Program Manager leads initiatives to enhance employee experience, manages vendor relationships, and partners cross-functionally to deliver high-impact benefits solutions. Reporting to the Director of Benefits and partnering closely with other Benefits Program Managers and Sr. Wellness Program Manager, this role plays a critical part in delivering exceptional service and ensuring the efficient administration of all employee benefit programs As a brand ambassador for benefits and wellness, this position represents the credit union both externally and internally, seamlessly integrating our culture statement, "Serve, Pride and Deliver," into all activities. This role plays a crucial part in fostering a culture of care, well-being, and high performance, closely aligning with our core values and strategic goals.

This position serves as a trusted resource for employees, identifying process improvement opportunities, and collaborating across departments to ensure benefit offerings are understood, accessible, and aligned with employee needs. The ideal candidate is solutions-driven, independently takes the initiative, and thrives in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment.

The Benefits Administration Program Manager will have direct interaction with employees, providing expert guidance and support on benefits-related inquiries. This role requires a strong focus on employee engagement, ensuring that our workforce receives timely and accurate information.

TASKS, DUTIES, FUNCTIONS:

• Provide strategic oversight and continuous improvement of all employee benefit programs, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and workforce needs.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives to enhance employee experience and optimize benefits delivery, collaborating with HRIS, Payroll, Legal, and external vendors.
• Manage vendor relationships, including contract negotiations, performance reviews, and service level agreements to ensure high-quality service delivery.
• Oversee compliance with all federal and state regulations related to benefits administration, including ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, and ACA.
• Develop and implement data-driven strategies to evaluate program effectiveness, identify trends, and recommend enhancements.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and escalation point for complex benefits issues, providing guidance to HR team members and senior leadership.
• Lead the planning and execution of the annual Open Enrollment and post-enrollment analysis.
• Drive innovation in benefits communication and education, leveraging technology and engagement strategies to improve employee understanding and utilization.

• Oversee the administration and maintain employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, voluntary benefits, wellness, and retirement plans.
• Handles and conducts regular new hire benefits orientation events and helps develop ongoing education and awareness campaigns throughout the year.
• Serve as a Tier 1 escalation point for employee benefits issues and support HR team training as needed.
• Handles troubleshooting and resolution of complex benefit or system issues in coordination with the Benefits Operations Program Manager, HRIS, Payroll, and vendors.
• Support annual Open Enrollment planning and execution, including testing, documentation, employee communications, and vendor coordination.
• Provide high-quality, timely support to employees and managers on benefit eligibility, enrollment, and usage across all offerings.
• Coordinate retirement plan operations, including eligibility tracking, deferral audits, and employee outreach.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to support leave of absence administration and ensure alignment with benefit plans and timely benefits payment and billing activities.
• Partner with the Benefits Operations Program Manager with benefits-related compliance requirements such as ACA reporting, Form 5500 filings, and plan audits.
• Develop and maintain employee-facing resources, FAQs, and intranet content to support employee benefits education and engagement.
• Manages the vendor reviews, RFP processes, and implementation projects as needed.
• Contribute to special projects and continuous improvement initiatives across the benefits function.
• Serve as a key connector between the Benefits team, HRIS, Payroll, Talent Acquisition, DEI, Compensation, Enterprise Communications, Legal, and external partners.
• Partner with the Benefits Services Program Manager and Sr. Wellness Program Manager in the execution and continuous improvement of health and welfare services.
• Collaborate with the Retirement Program Manager to ensure accurate planning administration and timely communication to employees.
• Support employee experience initiatives and assist with benefits communications, presentations, workshops, events and training sessions.

PHYSICAL SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND EXERTION UTILIZED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THESE TASK:

1. Effective oral and written communication skills required to proof-read, review, summarize, and report on complex government and legal rules, regulations, and guidance. 
2. Must possess sufficient manual dexterity to skillfully operate an on-line computer terminal and 

other standard office equipment, such as a personal computer, or cell or telephone.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTACTS & RELATIONSHIPS:

1. INTERNAL: All levels of leadership and staff.
2. EXTERNAL: Vendors, management, and staff of other financial institutions. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field or equivalent experience
• Strong knowledge of benefits regulations and compliance requirements.
• EXPERIENCE: 5+ years of progressive experience in benefits administration.
• Experience supporting both health/welfare and retirement programs in a complex organizational environment (1,000+ employees) preferred.

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS:

• Solid understanding of employee benefit programs and relevant regulatory requirements (ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, ACA).
• Strong attention to detail with a commitment to data accuracy and operational excellence.
• Proactive problem solver with strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to explain complex benefit topics clearly.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, manage priorities, and follow through on assignments with minimal supervision.
• Service-oriented mindset with experience supporting a diverse employee population.
• Proficiency in HRIS and benefits platforms (e.g., Dayforce, Workday, ADP, UKG); strong Excel skills required.
• Comfortable managing confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Experience with ticketing/case management systems and collaborative work tools (e.g., ServiceNow, Jira, Slack, SharePoint, Teams) is a plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Prolonged sitting throughout the workday with occasional mobility required. 
2. Corrected vision within the normal range.
3. Hearing within normal range. A device to enhance hearing will be provided if needed.
4. Occasional movements throughout the department daily to interact with staff, accomplish tasks, Etc.

LICENSES / CERTIFICATIONS:

CEBS, CBP, PHR preferred but not required.

THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IN NO WAY STATES OR IMPLIES THAT THESE ARE THE ONLY DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED BY THIS EMPLOYEE. HE OR SHE WILL BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW OTHER INSTRUCTIONS AND TO PERFORM OTHER DUTIES REQUESTED BY HIS OR HER SUPERVISOR THAT ARE WITHIN HIS / HER KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY AS WELL AS HIS / HER MENTAL AND PHYSICAL ABILITIES.

REV. 7/22/2025