Manager, Employee Benefits

Summary:

The Benefits Manager has direct responsibility for managing SSOE's employee benefits and wellness program across a multi-state operation in the U.S. and provides consultative coordination with our international HR team to deliver a competitive benefit program aligned with SSOE's people strategy, focused on attracting and retaining talent. The position requires strong interpersonal, written, verbal communication and negotiation skills, as well as a high level of confidentiality dealing with a variety of personnel, benefits, and management issues.

Primary duties and responsibilities:

• Leads, designs, implements, evaluates, and administers enterprise employee benefit, health & wellness programs aligned with SSOE's people strategy, employment value proposition, and strategic and financial priorities.
• Prepares, monitors, and administers the annual health and wellness budget.
• Develops and administers annual benefits communication plan to educate employees on all available benefits.
• Evaluates existing benefits programs against peer organizations to determine competitiveness, trends and developments.
• Manages relationships with brokers, carriers, and other 3rd party vendors for competitiveness and service quality.
• Maintains employee benefits data within the Human Resource Management System and within the carrier systems. Assures data integrity and that existing and new benefit programs are adaptable to standardized computer and reporting systems.
• Plans, assigns, and supervises the work of others. Coaches and develops subordinates.
• Coordinates transfer of data to external plan providers/carriers. Develops benefit information and statistical and census data for actuaries, insurance companies, and management.
• Manages company leave of absence (LOA) programs, including FMLA, Disability, Personal LOA, and any applicable state LOA programs.
• Serves as primary support for sensitive and escalated employee concerns, appeals, and claims.
• Conducts quarterly reviews and/or annual audits of all benefit plans and programs to ensure appropriate compliance and budget targets.
• Consults legal staff to ensure compliance with regulations and laws and manages the preparation of information for ensuring compliance, including annual 5500s, SPDs, FMLA, ADA, ERISA, ACA, FMLA, HIPAA, COBRA, HR audits, etc.
• Manages the benefit renewal and open enrollment process.
• Reviews and approves vendor invoices to assure accuracy of enrollment/coverage changes and authorizes payment of company benefits plans.
• Proactively identifies process improvements to increase efficiency and provide a more positive employee experience, and work with appropriate persons to modify procedures.
• Assist the SSOE Profit Sharing & Savings Plan (PSSP) Committee and Director, HR with the design and implementation of the SSOE PSSP. Administers in compliance with ERISA and other statutory requirements. For locations outside of the U.S., works with international HR team to ensure required or selective retirement programs are in place in support of competitive and strategic priorities.
• Works flexibly across time zones to fulfill business objectives.
• Interprets and advises HR team and management on benefit changes that impact coverage and business. Provides training and guidance to HR team and management, as required.
• Coordinates benefits orientation and training activities for new hires, managers, and employees related to qualifying events, open enrollment, etc.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Bachelor Degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, or related area required.
• CEBS or HR Certification preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years in benefits administration management experience, with staff supervisory experience, required.
• Demonstrated business acumen, with current responsibility for proactively and effectively managing healthcare spend.
• Must possess strong interpersonal communication skills, verbal and written, and ability to present in small and large group settings.
• Computer proficiency in prevailing office software required.
• Attention to detail and integrity of data required.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and work in a fast-paced, deadline oriented environment required.
• Intermittent in state and out of state travel may be required.

Please apply directly to www.ssoe.com/careers