Key Responsibilities
Strategic Plan Design & Financial Management
• Lead strategy, design, and annual planning for all health & welfare programs.
• Own self-funded medical plan performance, including stop-loss strategy, network evaluation, and high-cost claimant oversight.
• Analyze claims trends, utilization, and cost drivers; develop recommendations for cost containment and population health improvement.
• Partner with Finance on budgeting, forecasting, accruals, and long-range cost modeling.
Vendor, Broker & Renewal Leadership
• Lead annual renewals, RFPs, and negotiations for medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, life, disability, EAP, and voluntary benefits.
• Manage broker and carrier relationships, ensuring strong SLA performance and issue resolution.
• Evaluate PBM and stop-loss options to optimize cost and risk protection.
Operations & Program Oversight
• Oversee day-to-day benefits administration, eligibility, life events, and HRIS/carrier
data accuracy.
• Partner with HRIS and Payroll to ensure accurate system configuration, data integrity, and process alignment. Identify areas for process improvement, use of AI, and automation.
• Lead Open Enrollment strategy, communications, testing, and execution.
• Provide oversight of LOA, disability, and workers' compensation coordination with HR, Safety, and third-party administrators.
Compliance & Governance
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, and multi-state leave laws.
• Own 5500 filings, plan documents, SPDs, SBCs, and required notices.
• Maintain SOX controls and support internal/external audits.
Monitor regulatory changes and implement required updates.
Employee Experience & Communications
• Develop clear, accessible benefits communications tailored to a distributed,
shift-based workforce.
• Lead benefits education initiatives to improve understanding and engagement.
• Oversee wellness and population health programs focused on MSK, chronic conditions, and safety-related risks.
Leadership & Cross-Functional Partnership
• Partner with HR, HRIS, Payroll, Finance, Legal, and Safety to ensure seamless program delivery.
• Present recommendations, financial impacts, and program performance to senior leadership.
Competencies and skills
Qualifications:
• 5-7+ years of progressive benefits experience, including self-funded medical plan management.
• Strong knowledge of ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and multi-state compliance.
• Experience with vendor negotiations, renewals, and RFPs.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret claims and financial data.
• Experience with HRIS platforms (SuccessFactors or similar).
• Excellent communication skills, including executive-level presentations.
• Experience supporting industrial, distribution, or manufacturing populations.
Preferences: (Preferred attributes for the position, if any)
• CEBS or CBP certification.
• Experience in a publicly traded company.
• M&A integration experience.
• Pharmacy/PBM strategy experience.
• Experience with wellness or population health programs.
Competencies:
• Strategic thinking with operational execution
• Analytical decision-making
• Vendor and relationship management
• Project management excellence
• Employee-centric communication
• High integrity and compliance orientation
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, distributed environment
