Employee Benefits Manager

Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

Manage the day-to-day administration of employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, HSA/FSA, EAP, voluntary benefits, and other Company-sponsored programs.

Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefit questions, including eligibility, enrollment, qualifying life events, coverage issues, and benefit-related concerns.

Manage benefit enrollments, changes, terminations, eligibility updates, payroll deductions, invoice reconciliation, and related benefit records, ensuring accuracy across HRIS and vendor systems.

Manage employee leaves of absence from initial request through return to work, including FMLA, military, personal, parental, disability-related, and other applicable federal, state, and Company leave programs.

Determine leave eligibility, provide required notices, track documentation and deadlines, communicate with employees and managers, and coordinate leave with disability, workers' compensation, PTO, and other applicable benefits.

Partner with the Director of Human Resources on complex leave situations, accommodations, compliance matters, and other issues requiring additional review.

Coordinate the day-to-day administration of the Company's 401(k) plan, including employee inquiries, eligibility, loans, distributions, contributions, audits, testing, and required reporting.

Lead the annual open enrollment process and support benefit renewals in partnership with the Director of Human Resources, Finance, brokers, carriers, and vendors.

Coordinate benefit communications, enrollment materials, employee education, and approved plan changes across benefit systems and payroll.

Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for benefit brokers, carriers, third-party administrators, and other vendors, ensuring issues are researched, followed through, and resolved timely.

Administer benefit and leave programs in accordance with applicable federal and state requirements, plan documents, and Company policies, including required notices, audits, filings, and reporting.

Conduct routine audits of benefit enrollment, eligibility, deductions, leave records, invoices, and HRIS data and coordinate corrections when discrepancies are identified.

Identify and implement opportunities to improve benefit and leave processes, documentation, accuracy, efficiency, and the employee experience.

Partner with HR, payroll, HRIS, and other internal teams to resolve issues, maintain accurate records, and provide benefit and leave reporting as needed.

Education, Knowledge, Experience, Skills and Abilities Required:

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.

3–5 years of experience in benefits administration, leave administration, or a related HR function.

Experience administering employee benefits and leave programs for a multi-state workforce required.

Hands-on experience administering FMLA and other federal and state leave programs required.

Experience administering health and welfare benefits, 401(k) plans, and annual open enrollment.

Working knowledge of applicable benefits and leave requirements, including FMLA, COBRA, HIPAA, and ACA.

Experience working with benefit brokers, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators.

Strong attention to detail, organization, problem-solving, and follow-through.

Ability to independently manage multiple priorities and take ownership of issues through resolution.

Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience with HRIS and benefits administration systems; ADP Workforce Now experience preferred.

HR or benefits professional certification preferred.