Benefits Manager

City of Goodyear, AZ

• $111K — $165K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant field.
  • Minimum of five years in benefits administration or related experience.
  • Strong understanding of benefits compliance (ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA).
  • Experience with self-insured plans and public sector benefits preferred.
  • Valid Driver's License required.

Responsibilities

  • Lead daily operations of the Benefits division and manage staff.
  • Oversee relationships with internal stakeholders and third-party administrators.
  • Plan and execute annual activities like open enrollment and benefits fairs.
  • Design and manage benefits communication strategies and materials.
  • Support Total Rewards strategy through benefits planning and budgeting.
  • Participate in benefits-related committees and task forces.
  • Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.

Benefits

  • Health Insurance with three plans at group rates.
  • Accrual of sick leave at 1 hour for every 30 hours worked.
  • Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) Defined Benefit plan.
  • 457 Deferred Compensation Plan for employee contributions.
  • Employee Assistance Program available.
  • Access to an onsite wellness center/clinic.
  • Robust employee well-being program.
Full Job Description
Salary: $111,341.74 - $165,287.09 Annually
Location : Goodyear, AZ
Job Type: Full-Time Temporary
Job Number:
Division: Human Resources
Department: Human Resources
Opening Date: 10/02/2026
Closing Date: 10/16/2026 5:00 PM Arizona
FLSA: Exempt

Job Description Summary
**This is a temporary position that will assist with reallocation of resources to support the implementation of a new HRIS/HCM system for a 12 - 24 month period. This position is a temporary, full-time role that is eligible for benefits, including eligibility for ASRS, for the duration of the assignment. Contingent upon budget approval, the position may convert to a regular full-time position.
The Benefits Manager manages the day-to-day operational activities within the City's Employee Benefits Programs for employees, retirees, and their eligible family members. These programs include self-insured health, welfare, voluntary benefit programs, retirement plans, Goodyear Wellness Center, and leave programs. Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA).
The ideal candidate will have five years or more of progressively responsible experience in benefits administration to include: coordinating open enrollment, implementing new benefit offerings, managing third party administrators/vendors and strong coordination with internal departments. The ideal candidate will have a a strong understanding of benefits compliance at all levels. Experience with self-insured plans and public sector benefits is highly preferred.
Only a limited number of the most qualified applicants meeting the City's requirements will be invited for an interview. The examination process for this position will consist of a panel interview. All communication regarding application status and interview notifications will be sent via email- please monitor your junk/spam email for communication as it will come from a system generated source.
Essential Functions
  • Leads the Benefits division, overseeing daily operations and staff for employee benefit, retirement programs, leave management (FMLA, parental, military, disability, etc.) and ADA accommodations.
  • Manages relationships with internal stakeholders, benefits broker, benefit carriers, and third-party administrators responsible for adjudicating health and welfare plans; evaluates and selects vendors, negotiates contracts, and sustains strong provider relationships.
  • Plans and executes annual activities such as open enrollment, benefits fairs, campaigns, ACA-1095 processing, and benefits guide development; prepares and delivers clear benefits communications, training, and educational sessions.
  • Designs and manages benefits communication strategies and materials; monitors program effectiveness and identifies improvement opportunities; develops, updates, and maintains process documentation.
  • Supports Total Rewards strategy through benefits planning, budgeting, and long-term program design; contributes to HR operations and system enhancements as part of the HR leadership team.
  • Leads and participates in benefits-related committees and task forces, including the Self-Insured Health Trust Board, Deferred Compensation Committee, PSPRS Local Board, People Master Plan, and Self-Insured Healthcare Committee.
  • Recommends policies and procedures, reviews and updates plan documents, and ensures compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.


Requirements
  • Formal Education/Knowledge: Work requires broad knowledge in a general professional or technical field. Knowledge is normally acquired through four years of college resulting in a Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
  • Experience: Minimum five years of experience in a related field.
  • Certifications and Other Requirements: Valid Driver's License.
  • Reading: Work requires the ability to read legal documents, general correspondence, memorandums, and reports at a college level.
  • Math: Work requires the ability to perform general math calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, as well as college level math used to conduct payroll calculations, estimate budgets, and calculate test scores and ranking.
  • Writing: Work requires the ability to write general and technical correspondence, memorandums, letters, and reports at a college level.
  • Managerial: Complex - Work requires managing and monitoring work performance of a division including evaluating program/work objectives and effectiveness, establishing broad organizational goals and realigning work and staffing assignments for the department.
  • Budget Responsibility: Substantial - Has responsibility for final approval of at least one division budget and presents the budget(s) to Senior Management. Is authorized to approve division budgeted expenditures for both staffand resources up to the amount that requires the approval of Senior Management.
  • Policy/Decision Making: Significant - The employee normally performs the duty assignment according to his or her own judgment, requesting supervisory assistance only when necessary. Projects and daily work are managed with little oversight, however special assignments and significant work products may be reviewed upon completion. Typically positions in this category are supervisor to mid-management jobs.
  • Technical Skills: Comprehensive Application - Work requires a comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the work environment of the organization.
  • Interpersonal/Human Relations Skills: High - Interactions at this level typically result in recommendations regarding policy development, changes in policy, and implementation of policies. Interactions at this level are typically concerned with providing communications at higher levels of organizational operations and may utilize activities such as evaluating customer satisfaction, developing cooperative associations, and allocating resources to improve work operations, work quality, overall achievement of organizational goals and objectives, and customer satisfaction.


12 Month Objectives

  • Develop a comprehensive understanding of the City of Goodyear's benefits portfolio, policies, and guidelines.
  • Lead the healthcare RFP process through successful evaluation, selection, transition, and implementation.
  • Deliver a well-executed open enrollment cycle that strengthens operational efficiency, enhances employee experience, and aligns with organizational priorities.

The City of Goodyear offers a partial benefits package including:
  • Health Insurance: Three health plans available to select from at a group rate
  • Sick Leave: 1 hour of sick leave accrual for every 30 hours worked
  • Retirement: Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) Defined Benefit plan with mandatory city and employee contributions currently at 12.29%. Plan includes Long Term Disability Benefit.
  • 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (employee-only contributions)
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Onsite wellness center/clinic
  • Robust employee well-being program

01

Please indicate your highest level of education completed:
  • High School Diploma/GED
  • Associate's Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree or higher

02

Please indicate your years of experience in benefits administration or a related field:
  • Under 5 years
  • 5-6 years
  • 7-8 years
  • 9 years or more

03

Do you have experience managing benefits for a public-sector employer?
  • Yes
  • No

04

Do you have experience administering self- insured medical plans?
  • Yes
  • No

05

If you answered yes to the previous question, briefly describe your experience administering self-insured medical plans and include your specific responsibilities and the size of the population you supported.
06

Do you have experience supporting or administering public-sector retirement plans or deferred compensation programs?
  • Yes
  • No

07

If you answered yes to the previous question, briefly include the types of plans you have experience supporting and your responsibilities.
08

Do you have experience managing employee leave programs?
  • Yes
  • No

09

If you answered yes to the previous question, briefly describe which type of leave programs you have managed and your responsibilities.
10

Do you have experience working with a benefit vendor or third party administrator to resolve a service or claims issue?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

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