Manager, Benefits Strategy

Job Description:

Summary:

This role will serve as a critical member of the Compensation and Benefits team, bringing deep expertise in benefits strategy and management to the organization to ensure we remain a competitive employer of choice. The Manager, Benefits Strategy will serve as a thought partner to leadership on total rewards strategy, drive data-informed decisions on plan design, and collaborate closely with colleagues, third-party consultants, and providers to develop and implement programs that attract, retain, and engage talent across all employee populations.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Analyze existing benefits programs and policies relative to prevailing practices to identify opportunities to ensure competitive benefit offerings, fiscal responsibility, and legal compliance; leverage benchmarking data and utilization analytics to inform plan design recommendations and present findings to senior leadership

• Proactively identify and implement process improvement opportunities and ensure plans remain legally compliant

• Manage annual open enrollment process, including plan implementation/changes and the development of communication materials

• Act as liaison with benefits brokers, vendors, and insurance carriers, to assure proper administration of the plans

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations including ERISA, COBRA, ACA, HIPA, and FMLA; maintain knowledge of benefit-related regulations

• Support annual Form 5500 filings and audits including Non-Discrimination Testing

• Support the coordination of employee leave of absences (LOA)

• Subject matter expert in the formation of benefit policies and partner with leadership on escalated member issues and appeals resolution

• Leads the coordination of the executive Benefits Committee, overseeing plan management with third-party consultants

• Manage the benefits budget, including cost forecasting, vendor negotiations, and ROI analysis of current and proposed programs

• Develop and oversee a holistic employee wellbeing strategy, including mental health, financial wellness, and EAP programs, tailored to the diverse needs of our workforce

• Design and execute a benefits communication strategy that drives employee awareness, understanding, and engagement across all segments of the organization

• Provides consultation and technical input for plan policies and descriptions

• Strong understanding of union collective bargaining agreements to ensure proper administration of benefits to those populations

• Well-versed in Workers’ Compensation processes, including collaboration with carriers and internal stakeholders. Knowledgeable in OSHA compliance requirements and workplace safety reporting, including incident documentation and regulatory filings

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience designing, implementing and managing complex benefit programs; experience in sports, entertainment, or similarly complex multi-population organizations preferred

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to present views in a clear and compelling manner

• Working knowledge of relevant statutory benefit requirements

• Strong presentation and facilitation skills; ability to articulate plan details to employees

• Demonstrated project, process, and time management skills

• Excellent collaboration skills and ability to excel in team-first environment

• Proven ability to use data and analytics to evaluate program effectiveness, model costs, and build the business case for strategic investments

• Experience presenting to and influencing senior leadership and operating in a consultative HR model

For technical reasons, we strongly advise to not use an .edu email address when applying. Thank you very much.