The Strategic Benefits Program Manager manages assigned benefit program portfolios and serves as a primary Benefits Center of Excellence liaison to Shared Services, Communications, vendors, brokers, consultants, HR partners, and internal stakeholders. This role translates benefits strategy into program design, policy, operational alignment, vendor coordination, and communication. This position is responsible for evaluating benefit programs, identifying gaps, developing recommendations, and ensuring programs are designed, governed, and delivered effectively. The role operates within a Center of Excellence model and is not responsible for transactional benefits administration. Program assignments may include Health & Welfare or Retirement & Financial Wellness portfolios, depending on organizational need. Responsibilities Essential Functions Core Responsibilities (All Program Managers): • Manages assigned benefit program portfolios, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy and employee needs. • Evaluates program effectiveness, vendor performance, employee experience, and cost implications. • Conducts benchmarking, gap analysis, and research to support program recommendations. • Develops program options, implementation plans, timelines, and leadership recommendations. • Translates strategy into operational requirements, including impacts to systems, vendors, Shared Services, and communications. • Serves as the Benefits COE liaison to Shared Services and ensures alignment between policy and operations. • Owns policy, procedures, and compliance governance for assigned programs. • Coordinates vendor, broker, and consultant interactions, including performance evaluation and implementation support. • Provides subject matter expertise for employee communications and education strategies. • Leads cross-functional benefit projects and change initiatives. Program Area Focus: Retirement & Financial Wellness Portfolio • Manages retirement and financial wellness programs, including defined contribution plans and ancillary benefits. • Manages Time Away From work policies, including Paid Time Off (PTO), Leave of Absence (FMLA) strategy, and other leaves., • Manages life and disability strategy as well as related insurance coverage. • Evaluates plan performance, participation trends, and retirement readiness metrics. • Partners with recordkeepers, investment advisors, and consultants on plan oversight and improvements. • Develops and supports financial wellness initiatives and employee education strategies. • Supports governance activities, plan compliance, and audit readiness. Knowledge / Skills / Abilities • Advanced knowledge of employee benefits programs and plan design across multiple domains. • Strong understanding of either health & welfare or retirement/financial wellness programs. • Ability to assess program effectiveness and develop strategic recommendations. • Knowledge of benefits regulations and compliance requirements (e.g., ERISA, ACA, IRS, DOL, HIPAA). • Strong vendor management and project management skills. • Ability to translate complex concepts into operational and employee-facing guidance. • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. • Ability to influence across a matrixed organization without direct authority. Qualifications Required • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Health Administration, Public Administration, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience. • Minimum eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in employee benefits, benefits consulting, or a related field. • Experience supporting or managing benefit program design, vendor coordination, policy interpretation, compliance activities, or large-scale benefits initiatives. • Experience working with cross-functional stakeholders including Shared Services, HRIS, Payroll, Finance, Legal, Communications, and external vendors or consultants. • Demonstrated ability to lead projects, analyze complex issues, and develop actionable recommendations. Qualifications (Preferred) Preferred • Experience in a large healthcare system, academic medical center, university, public employer, or complex matrixed organization. • Experience in a Benefits Center of Expertise, Shared Services model, benefits consulting, or outsourced benefits administration environment. • Experience supporting open enrollment strategy, benefits platforms, vendor transitions, RFP processes, or program redesign. • Familiarity with systems such as Workday, PeopleSoft, or other benefits administration and ERP platforms. • Professional certifications such as Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, Professional in Human Resources (PHR/SPHR), or project management certification. • Experience preparing executive-level presentations, business cases, and implementation roadmaps. Working Conditions and Physical Demands Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation. • This is a sedentary position that may exert up to 10 pounds and may lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. This position involves sitting most of the time and is not exposed to adverse environmental conditions. Physical Requirements Non Indicated