Job DescriptionManager, North America Health & Welfare Benefits - Chicago or Decatur, IL
Job SummaryThe Manager, North America Health & Welfare Benefits is responsible for the strategy, governance, compliance, and operational delivery of U.S. and Canada health and welfare benefit plans. This role oversees medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and voluntary benefit programs, ensuring alignment with the organization's Total Rewards philosophy, cost management objectives, and employee value proposition.
The role partners with HR leadership, Legal, Finance, Payroll, Risk Management, and external vendors to deliver compliant, competitive, and high-quality benefit programs while managing financial and regulatory risk.
Duties/Responsibilities:
Strategy & Program Management- Lead design, administration, and governance of North America health and welfare plans
- Support development of benefit strategy aligned with market benchmarking and workforce needs.
- Evaluate program performance, utilization trends, and cost drivers.
- Lead annual benefits renewal strategy and vendor negotiations with consultants and carriers.
- Lead plan amendments and operational implementation of design changes
Compliance & Risk Management- Ensure compliance with applicable regulations including:
- ERISA
- ACA
- COBRA
- HIPAA
- FMLA (programmatic impact)
- State and provincial benefit regulations
- Oversee required filings, audits, and regulatory reporting.
- Partner with Legal and external advisors on policy interpretation and risk mitigation
Vendor and Carrier Management- Manage relationships with insurance carriers, brokers, and third-party administrators.
- Monitor service-level agreements and performance metrics.
- Lead quarterly and annual vendor business reviews.
- Lead contract and rate negotiation strategy.
Financial Management- Lead benefits budgeting, forecasting, and cost modeling.
- Analyze claims experience and trend data.
- Partner with Finance on plan cost projections.
- Evaluate cost containment and plan optimization opportunities.
Annual Enrollment & Communications- Lead strategy and execution of annual enrollment.
- Ensure clear, compliant, and effective employee communications.
- Partner with Communications and HR Business Partners to improve employee understanding and engagement.
Absence Management Coordination- Partner with absence administration teams on disability, leave, and accommodation program alignment.
- Lead integrated health, disability, and leave strategy.
Governance & Reporting- Prepare leadership dashboards and benefits metrics reporting.
- Support benefits committee or governance forums.
- Maintain plan documentation and internal controls.
Project Leadership & Continuous Improvement- Lead benefits-related projects including system implementations, vendor transitions, or regulatory changes.
- Drive automation and digital self-service opportunities.
Required Skills/Abilities:- Strategic benefits program management
- Compliance and risk awareness
- Financial and analytical thinking
- Stakeholder influence and collaboration
- Communication and change leadership
Education and Experience:
Required- Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, Finance, or related field
- 7 + years of progressive experience in health and welfare benefits administration
- Strong knowledge of U.S. & Canada benefits regulations
- Experience managing carriers, brokers, or TPAs.
- Financial analysis and vendor management experience.
Preferred- CEBS, SHRM, or related certification
- Experience in large, multi-state or multinational organizations.
- Knowledge of Canadian benefit programs.
Excited about this role but don't think you meet every requirement listed? We encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings.
REF:112510BR
Benefits and Perks Enriching the quality of life for the world begins by taking care of our colleagues. In addition to competitive pay, we support your diverse needs with a comprehensive total rewards package to enhance your well-being, including:
- Physical wellness - medical/Rx, dental, vision and on-site wellness center access or gym reimbursement (as applicable).
- Financial wellness - flexible spending accounts, health savings account, 401(k) with matching contributions and cash balance plan, discounted employee stock purchasing program, life insurance, disability, workers' compensation, legal assistance, identity theft protection.
- Mental and social wellness - Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Colleague Giving Programs (ADM Cares).
Additional benefits include:
- Paid time off including paid holidays.
- Adoption assistance and paid maternity and parental leave.
- Tuition assistance.
- Company-sponsored training and development resources, such as LinkedIn Learning, language training and mentoring programs.
*Benefits may vary for bargained locations, confirm benefit eligibility with your recruiter.
Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours.
If hired, employees will be in an "at-will position" and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
The pay range for this position is expected to be between:
