Benefits Manager

General Function:

• Manage benefit and retirement programs for U.S. and Canada to ensure benefits are administered and communicated appropriately to meet the needs of employees, in accordance with plan documents and in compliance with applicable regulations.

Essential Functions:

• Manager day-to-day administration of U.S. and Canadian employee benefit programs and retirement plans
• Work with benefit consultants and providers to insure plans are administered appropriately to meet the needs of employees, in accordance with plan documents and in compliance with applicable regulations
• Serve as Secretary to Benefits Committee, Defined Benefit Plan & Defined Contribution Plan Committees
• Lead Wellness Committee; develop and coordinate wellness activities
• Manage New Vendor & Benefit Program Implementations
• Resolve escalated benefit issues, prepare benefit exception & appeal recommendations
• Develop and implement benefit communications & employee education activities -- open enrollment, webinars, newsletters, benefit presentations, insurance certificates & booklets
• Coordinate benefit compliance activities with providers to insure deadlines are met  – annual audits, 5500 filings, discrimination testing, SARs, annual participant notices, PBGC & PBGF payments, Summary Plan Descriptions, COBRA administration
• Manage US VEBA Trust – funding requests & payments, subsidiary payment tracking, reporting, monthly billings
• Participate in benefit surveys, monitor competitive trends, evaluate alternatives & develop recommendations on new programs and processes
• Prepare monthly benefit cost reports and budget recommendations; analyze trends and costs      

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

• The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Generally work in office environment
• Long periods of computer and office machine use
• Requires sitting, stooping, use of hands and fingers, ability to talk and hear
• Occasionally walk short to moderate distances at field locations
• May need to occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• Ability to wear and care for applicable personal protective equipment (such as, safety glasses and shoes, respirator, hard hat and ear protection, safety harness) when visiting field locations

Basic Qualifications

• Education:  Bachelor degree in applicable field (i.e., Human Resources, Finance); CBP certification preferred.
• Experience:  7+ years’ experience in administering benefit and retirement programs in the U.S. with exposure to Canadian plans.
• Experience with wellness programs and self-funded health insurance plans with an HSA option.
• Technical:  Highly skilled at computer software (Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Word); experience with HRIS systems
• Sound knowledge of ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, IRS code, and other benefit regulations and requirements in the U.S. and Canada