Health Benefits Program Manager

At-a-Glance:

Join an international energy and utilities organization to manage and deliver comprehensive health benefits programs.

Position Type:

• Contract
• Hybrid – 3 days in office

Required:

• Experience in financial services.
• BA/BS in a related area or equivalent experience; graduate degree preferred.
• 8 years in design, development, and delivery of health & welfare benefit programs for large companies (10,000 employees).
• Experience in M&A activities and managing complex medical, pharmacy, leave of absence, and wellbeing programs for acquired companies.
• Experience with multiple unions/plan designs and self-funded healthcare plan management.
• Proficient in HRIS & Workday software.
• Experience with HR Shared Services or outsourced HR Operations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of health & welfare benefit plan principles, state and federal regulations, compliance, and operations.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Proficient in Google Suite products and AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini).
• Strong communication, negotiation, and influencing abilities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of Canadian benefit plans.
• Specialty health & welfare and/or benefits certification preferred.

Responsibilities:

• Manage and deliver employee health & welfare programs including medical, dental, vision, pharmacy, leave of absence, wellness, life insurance, and voluntary benefits.
• Lead project management of acquired companies and oversee competitive harmonized benefits implementation.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA counsel and vendors for all retirement plans and regulatory requirements.
• Lead communication and marketing of benefits programs to optimize financial investment through employee understanding, attraction, and retention.
• Serve as liaison with third-party benefits administrations, ensuring performance, continuous quality improvement, and troubleshooting.
• Coordinate compliance matters related to health & welfare benefit plans.
• Drive complex, high-risk projects and consult as a subject matter expert on technical issues.
• Partner with HR, Benefits Administration, HR Operations, and HRIS for guidance and support on day-to-day matters.
• Provide leadership for cross-functional projects and initiatives.
• Collaborate with HR partners to ensure program understanding and coordination across groups.
• Ensure programs and processes are documented and administered to meet the highest standards of service and compliance.
• Hands-on experience managing self-funded medical plans, including vendor negotiations, contracting, audits, cost management, and escalations.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. benefits compliance, including ACA, ERISA, Form 5500, SPD documentation, and regulatory reporting.
• Experience managing multiple union and non-union benefit plan designs, with hands-on Workday HRIS experience.
• Experience leading complex benefits implementations, managing third-party administrators, developing annual budgets, analyzing costs, and coordinating cross-functional projects.

If your background aligns with what we’re looking for, you may receive a call from Ava, our virtual recruiter, for a brief screening conversation. Ava will ask a few questions about your experience and interest in the opportunity.