The Senior Manager, Benefits owns benefits strategy, vendor relationships, and compliance direction for the organization, and provides management oversight of the team members who handle day-to-day benefits administration. The ideal candidate sets strategy and represents Benefits with leadership, while managing and coaching the benefits administrator and a part-time benefits coordinator to keep execution accurate and on track. This is not a hands-on processing role: it's a strategic and managerial one, for someone who can delegate well, build repeatable process, and step in personally only on the complex, escalated, or high-stakes issues.
What You'll Do:Benefits Strategy & Planning- Develop and evolve benefits strategy that supports talent attraction, retention, and the organization's total rewards philosophy.
- Conduct benchmarking and market analysis to inform plan design, funding, and policy decisions.
- Partner with broker and internal Communications team on benefits branding, ensuring employee and candidate facing materials clearly and compellingly showcase the organization's benefits offerings.
Vendor Strategy & Partnership Management- Build and manage strategic relationships with benefits vendors and internal stakeholders, holding partners accountable to long-term value and service levels.
- Monitor vendor performance and compliance with service level agreements.
- Lead vendor RFPs, selection, and contract negotiation to ensure partners align with organizational goals and budget.
- Coordinate governance activities for the organization's retirement plan oversight body, including scheduling meetings, preparing agendas and materials, and overseeing maintenance of official records and minutes.
Compliance, Risk & Executive Reporting- Monitor the regulatory landscape and advise leadership on compliance risk, plan design implications, and mitigation strategies.
- Translate benefits data and process performance into insights and recommendations for senior leadership.
Team Leadership & Administration Oversight- Manage and coach the benefits administrator and part-time benefits coordinator, setting priorities and reviewing their work for accuracy and compliance.
- Serve as the escalation point for complex eligibility, claims, or vendor issues the admin team can't resolve on their own.
- Build and maintain documentation and process guides so administration doesn't depend on any one person, and onboard the coordinator role smoothly.
Automation & Technology Implementation- Support automation initiatives using HRIS and benefits platforms to reduce manual work and errors.
- Evaluate and recommend automation tools, workflows, and system enhancements.
Wellness/Events Planning & Customer Service- Direct the project management and communication for Open Enrollment, flu shot clinics, regulatory updates, etc., delegating execution to the admin team.
- Recommend and plan targeted Wellness events (flu shot clinics, financial seminars, etc.).
- Ensure the team's support is responsive, accessible, knowledgeable, and empathetic.
What You'll Bring:- 8+ years of experience in benefits management, spanning both benefits strategy/plan design and hands on program administration
- Previous experience working in benefits or a related field at a mid to large size employer
- Proven ability to develop benefits strategy, including market benchmarking and plan design, to support talent attraction and retention
- Working knowledge of benefits compliance and regulatory requirements, with the ability to advise leadership on risk and mitigation strategies
- Strong understanding of benefits administration systems, file feeds, and integration technologies
- Excellent analytical, problem solving, and project management skills
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
- CEBS, CBP, and any SHRM designations are a plus
- Prior experience in benefits brokerage is a plus
- Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred
Salary: $125,000 - $135,000
FSLA Status: Exempt
This position is classified as remote but is tied to our New York, NY office located at 120 Broadway. Employment is subject to New York State tax withholding under applicable regulations.
