Job Title: Benefit & Vendor Relations ManagerLocation: Hybrid - Springfield, IL
Position SummaryThe Benefit & Vendor Relations Manager oversees the administration, vendor management, financial controls, compliance, and delivery of employee benefit programs. This role serves as a primary contact for benefit vendors and consultants while ensuring plans are administered accurately and in accordance with plan documents, regulatory requirements, and company objectives.
Key Responsibilities- Oversee administration of health, welfare, retirement, and related employee benefit programs.
- Manage benefit vendors and consultants, including service levels, renewals, implementations, escalated issues, and performance improvement.
- Lead annual open enrollment, benefit communications, employee education, and new-hire orientation.
- Oversee benefit invoices, payments, accruals, reconciliations, and related financial controls.
- Coordinate benefit audits, regulatory filings, required notices, and compliance activities.
- Manage complex eligibility, enrollment, claims, appeals, and employee benefit issues.
- Lead benefit plan changes, vendor transitions, system testing, payroll deduction validation, and data-feed coordination.
- Maintain benefit reporting, compliance calendars, procedures, and audit-ready documentation.
- Support qualified and non-qualified retirement plan administration, as applicable.
- Identify opportunities to improve vendor performance, employee experience, internal controls, and operational efficiency.
Requirements- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- 5+ years of experience in employee benefits, vendor management, or a related HR function.
- Strong knowledge of benefit plans, administration practices, financial controls, and applicable regulations.
- Experience managing vendors, audits, compliance activities, open enrollment, employee escalations, and benefit implementations.
- Strong analytical, project management, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and benefit administration systems; Workday experience preferred.
Preferred Qualifications- CEBS, PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification.
Salary Range: $89,800 - $125,500
- Salary is commensurate with experience, location, skills, and other relevant factors.
