Benefits Manager

Location: New York, NY or Malvern, PA (Hybrid)

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Benefits Manager to oversee the strategy, administration, and continuous enhancement of employee benefit programs across the organization. This individual will ensure programs remain competitive, compliant, and operationally efficient while delivering a high-quality employee experience.

Working closely with HR leadership, Finance, external consultants, and benefit vendors, this role will lead day-to-day benefits operations, support long-term total rewards initiatives, and identify opportunities to improve processes and program effectiveness.

Primary Responsibilities

Benefits Administration

• Lead administration of company-sponsored benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement savings, flexible spending accounts, wellness offerings, and other employee programs.
• Manage eligibility, enrollments, qualifying life events, and benefit terminations.
• Coordinate annual open enrollment activities including communications, vendor coordination, system configuration, employee education, and issue resolution.
• Serve as the primary resource for employee benefit questions and provide guidance regarding available programs and plan provisions.
• Maintain benefit-related content within internal HR resources and communication platforms.

Program Strategy

• Evaluate benefit offerings using market data, utilization metrics, and benchmarking studies.
• Recommend plan design enhancements that balance employee experience, cost management, and organizational objectives.
• Partner with brokers and carriers during annual renewals and vendor negotiations.
• Monitor industry trends and legislative changes affecting benefit programs.

Leave Administration

• Oversee administration of federal and state leave programs, including family and medical leave, disability programs, and parental leave.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders and third-party administrators to ensure accurate leave tracking and benefit continuation.

Retirement & Financial Wellbeing

• Support administration of the company's retirement savings program, including employee transactions, payroll coordination, compliance testing, audit support, and committee administration.
• Collaborate with vendors to ensure accurate funding, reporting, and participant communications.

Compliance & Vendor Management

• Maintain compliance with applicable federal and state benefits regulations including ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, and other governing requirements.
• Coordinate annual regulatory filings and support external audits.
• Review vendor performance, monitor service levels, and manage ongoing relationships with benefit providers.
• Audit invoices and partner with Finance to ensure accurate payment processing.

Additional Responsibilities

• Administer employee education assistance, charitable giving, and similar organizational programs.
• Participate in Total Rewards initiatives beyond core benefits administration.
• Identify opportunities to automate, simplify, and improve benefits processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related discipline.
• Professional certification such as CEBS, PHR, SHRM-CP, or comparable credential preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive experience managing employee benefits within a complex corporate environment; financial services experience is advantageous.
• Strong understanding of employee benefit legislation and regulatory compliance.
• Experience partnering with brokers, insurance carriers, third-party administrators, and retirement plan providers.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated success improving operational processes and managing multiple priorities.
• Strong customer service mindset with the ability to communicate effectively across all organizational levels.

Systems

• Experience with enterprise HRIS platforms; Workday experience preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills strongly preferred.