Health and Welfare Benefits Manager

The Health and Welfare Benefits Manager serves as an experienced professional supporting the design, administration, and enhancement of employee health and welfare benefit programs. This mid-level position acts as a bridge between benefits specialists and senior management, taking ownership of key processes and projects while collaborating with cross-functional teams. The manager plays a vital role in ensuring efficient plan administration, effective communications, compliance monitoring, and data-driven improvement of benefits offerings.

This position partners closely with HR leadership, insurance brokers, and vendors to ensure benefits programs are compliant, cost-effective, competitive, and well understood by employees. The role is ideal for a seasoned benefits professional who enjoys both execution and leadership in a collaborative, onsite environment.

• Coordinate the administration of health and welfare benefit programs by working closely with vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Lead projects such as open enrollment, plan renewals, and employee education initiatives, providing guidance to benefits specialists and acting as a resource for escalated questions.
• Serve as a primary contact for complex employee inquiries regarding eligibility, claims issues, and plan interpretation, resolving matters with minimal supervision and escalating only when necessary.
• Monitor compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., ACA, HIPAA, COBRA), assisting management with audits, reporting, and policy documentation as required.
• Analyze benefit plan utilization and costs, prepare detailed reports, and recommend process or program improvements to management based on data insights.
• Assist with vendor and broker management, including the evaluation of service performance and the resolution of service issues.
• Develop and deliver benefits communications and training materials to increase employee understanding and engagement with available programs.
• Contribute to the maintenance and improvement of benefits administration systems, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality of employee data.
• In addition to core responsibilities overseeing health and welfare benefits, the Health and Welfare Benefits Manager may be required to participate in related areas such as retirement and savings plan administration, employee engagement initiatives, and other ad hoc projects as directed. This position requires adaptability and a collaborative approach to support evolving organizational needs, working cross-functionally with HR and other departments to ensure comprehensive benefits and engagement strategies.

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in health and welfare benefits administration or analysis.
• Solid knowledge of employee benefits regulations and plan design concepts.
• Proven analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to explain complex concepts clearly.
• Experience working with benefits administration platforms and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously; excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of pertinent federal and state regulations, filing and compliance requirements affecting employee benefit programs including the ACA, ERISA COBRA, FMLA, ADA, Section 125, HIPAA, Medicare, COBRA, Social Security and DOL requirements.

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