Benefits Manager

The Benefits Manager is responsible for overseeing employee benefits programs, leaves of absence, workers compensation and wellness activities across the FREE Network. The Benefits Manager serves as the primary contact for benefits brokers and vendors and directly supervises the Benefits Administrator and the Leave of Absence Assistant.

• Develop and sustain a level of professionalism among team members, persons supported, vendors, and the public.
• Follow the code of conduct and agency expectations as outlined in the Employee Handbook and elsewhere.
• Complete training in accordance with regulatory requirements and agency policy.
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• Provide support to staff on all benefits offered including: group health, dental, vision, retirement, disability and voluntary plans. This includes answering questions, providing consultations to employees upon request, and establishing a system to track and prompt follow up communications with employees and vendors.
• Serve as point of contact for benefits vendors and electronic benefits administration vendor.
• Coordinate wellness activities, benefits fairs, and other activities and events that promote FREE’s benefits and educate staff.
• Maintain knowledge of trends, developments, legal requirements and best practices in leave of absence and benefits administration.

• Lead and develop the benefits team

• Collaborate with Senior Vice President of Human Resources and vendors to develop and maintain employee benefits and wellness strategies that support employee needs and promote a culture of well-being.
• Assume lead in planning benefits and wellness activities throughout the year to promote employee understanding and engagement.
• Coordinate annual open enrollment activities ensuring that enrollments and plan changes are processed correctly by FREE and the carriers.
• Make benefit presentations at new hire orientation, open enrollment and other times as needed.
• Ensure that staff are trained and assisted with use of employee benefits administration platform, benefits portals, etc.
• Develop and implement benefits policies and procedures.
• Ensure benefits materials, rates and plan descriptions are accurate, user friendly and up to date at all times.

• Ensure the organization’s and plans’ compliance with the applicable provisions of COBRA, HIPAA, and ERISA.
• Communicate changes and developments related to benefits including eligibility, coverage, and provisions.
• Ensure that records, reporting, and other documentation required by federal, state, and provider rules, regulations, and policies are completed by direct reports.
• Conduct employee surveys, census, and other research and demographic efforts required to collect accurate quotes from benefit providers.
• Monitor administrators and insurance carriers’ reports to ensure the organizations compliance with plan requirements.

• Oversee reconciliation and approve invoices.
• In conjunction with the HRIS team, provide metrics and reports upon request.
• Other duties as assigned

• A Bachelors’ degree and prior experience in Benefits or Human Resources or related field.
• Prior supervisor experience required preferably in human resources.
• Human Resources Generalist experience preferred.
• HR certification preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment with flexibility, keeping others informed and anticipating needs is essential
• Must be efficient, well organized, and have excellent communication skills

• Must possess in depth knowledge of benefits and general human resources policies, laws and guidelines
• Intermediate Excel skills required

• This job operates in a professional office environment
• Employee is required to operate standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines
• Employee is required to sit, walk and stand for prolonged period of time (at least 8 hours)
• Employee is required to talk and hear, both in person and by telephone
• Employee is required to reach with hands and arms
• Employee is required to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch or stand on a stool as needed
• Employee is required to be able to lift 50 pounds at a time
• Employee must be able and willing to travel to other agency locations as needed.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate both verbally and in writing. Filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary