Job Summary

The Senior Benefits Manager is responsible for management and administration for both US and Canada based benefits, and directly supervises benefits representatives or coordinator level roles.  Working under minimal supervision, the Senior Benefits Manager administers full range of benefits for employees, resolves employee benefit problems and communicates benefits coverage to employees.   The Senior Benefits Manager works with external vendors such as plan record keepers, actuaries, auditors, and attorneys to administer employee benefits plans and ensure they are compliant. This position reports directly to the Director of Benefits, Compensation, and HRIS

Key Accountabilities

• Monitors and evaluates the company’s benefit programs including medical, dental, life/disability and retirement plans, to ensure programs are current with trends, practices and costs and compliance. Assists with the overall strategic benefit planning for the company
• Develops benefits budget and annually forecast and analyze benefit program spending and financial commitment
• Assists with identifying cost savings opportunities to ensure budget targets are achieve
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies
• Expedites delivery of benefits by establishing and maintaining working relationships with benefit providers
• Plays a key role as a member of the benefits committee making recommendations on potential benefit changes and longer-term strategies as well as tracking and providing a summary and follow up on topics discussed during benefit s committee meetings. Maintains meeting minutes.
• Manages 401(k) Plan communications to employees, including organizing meetings and coordinating communication efforts with vendor. Conducts annual 401(k) non- discrimination project
• Assesses and recommend new procedures as appropriate
• Assists with identifying cost savings opportunities to ensure budget targets are achieved
• Participates in promoting employee wellness through seminars, newsletters and other communications venues
• Ensuring benefits programs are in compliance with all federal and state regulations concerning benefits programs (e.g., ERISA, HIPPA, COBRA, FMLA and PPACA). Keeps up to date on changes in applicable laws and regulations that impact benefits administration.
• Ensure appropriate controls, documentation and recordkeeping are maintained.
• May be responsible for annual compliance projects, to include 5500 filings and SARs, PBGC filings
• Updates and disseminates benefits communications materials, including SPD’s, SAR’s and SBC
• Provides oversight for workers compensation, STD and LTD programs
• Manages plans for current and retired employees through the following activities:
• Assists with annual open enrollment activities
• Process employee LOA’s for STD and LTD and WC.
• Participates in Pension and Savings Plan Administration
• Process Claims for active and retirees
• May counsel employees on retirement process and benefits
• Resolves employee questions and problems by interpreting benefit policies and procedures
• Maintain pension database for current retirees
• Prepare annual pension valuation data for all participants
• Retiree Medical Insurance Administration
• Other projects or assignments as needed
• Performs analysis, audits and other project work as needed
• Supervises other Benefits Representatives

Networking/Key relationships

To be determined based on department needs, to include interactions such as:

• Local/Country HR Team members, including but not limited to HR Business Partners, HR Managers, HR Directors, HR VP, Compensation & Benefits, HRIS, Talent Acquisition
• Corporate HR Team
• Finance Business Partner
• Payroll
• Facilities
• Legal
• Client Groups, as assigned.
• External Vendors, where appropriate

Minimum Knowledge & Experience required for the position:

• Bachelors Degree
• Professional Benefits Certification desireable but not required
• 5 or more years of managing a benefits team for mid sized or large company
• Strong verbal and written communications skills
• Ability to maintain professional demeanor under pressure and effectively work with employees at all levels while maintaining a keen sense of urgency and commitment to providing exceptional service to employees
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Experience in fully insured and self insured benefits plans and 401k plans.  Familiarity with pension plan administration (active and/or terminated plans) is helpful 
• Experience and familiarity with Canadian benefits is desired but not required  

*Management has the discretion of substituting relevant work experience for a degree and/or making exceptions to the years of experience requirement.

Skills & Capabilities:

• Strong internal and external customer service skills
• Ability to work autonomously and deliver on business results
• Ability to demonstrate independent judgment and decision-making capabilities
  Ability to build and maintain relationships with employees from all backgrounds and across organizational levels
• Ability to work collaboratively & cross-functionally
• Strong Customer Focus & Customer Service Mentality
• Business Acumen
• Managing Diversity
• Problem Solving
• Strong Organization, Planning and Time Management skills
• Coaching and Mentoring
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage conflict
• Strong familiarity with and comfort with HR databases and Microsoft Office including Powerpoint and Excel)

Travel requirements:

Approximatley 5%