Benefits Manager

Presbyterian Homes & Services (PHS) is seeking a Benefits Manager who will play a crucial role in managing and enhancing our comprehensive benefits programs. As a working manager, you’ll provide both strategic leadership and hands-on execution, ensuring our benefits offerings are competitive, cost-effective, and supportive of employee needs.

 

As a Benefits Manager at PHS, you'll be serving nearly 8000 employees across a multi-state organization, providing innovated and compassionate leadership in benefits administration. 

 

REPORTING STRUCTURE
The Benefits Manager reports to the Director of Total Rewards and directly managers members of the benefits department.

The Benefits Manager is a working manager responsible for both the strategic oversight and hands-on execution of daily operations within the benefits department. This role develops, implements, administers, and maintains comprehensive benefits programs, policies, and procedures. The Benefits Manager leads the investigation and adoption of new benefit programs, enhances existing offerings, and ensures effective benefits administration. This position ensures all programs comply with legal requirements, support employee needs, and remain cost-effective and competitive within the market. As a leader, the Benefits Manager directs the Benefits team, develop benefits communication, counsel on benefits related issues, and provides exceptional customer service to employees across the organization.

 

Responsibilities include but not limited to: 

• Lead Benefit Operations:
  • Oversee and perform day-to-day benefits administration tasks, including enrollment, eligibility tracking, claims resolution, and reconciliation of benefit-related invoices.
  • Actively participate in the processing of benefits transactions and records in collaboration with payroll and HRIS teams.
  • Manage annual open enrollment processes, including system setup, employee communication, and issue resolution.
  • Collaborate with third-party vendors to ensure seamless delivery of benefit services work with the Benefits team to ensure accuracy of all employees’ benefits deductions of a bi-weekly basis.
  • Lead and support the benefit processing team with strategies to streamline and create value-added services for the organization.
  • Ensure all benefit vendor downloads are completed timely and accurately for any employee contributions/payments.
  • Resolve escalated customer service issues and interpret plan procedures and policies. Ensure departmental regulatory compliance and monitor changes in federal and state laws that relate to the benefit programs.
  • Ensure compliance with ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, Section 125, Medicare, and social security regarding benefits including managing annual audits of all health and retirement plans.
  • Process death claims, LTD claims, QDRO’s, QMCSO’s, distributions, rollovers, terminations, and compliance testing.
  • Gather employee data and oversee the processing of monthly billings and the preparation of accounts payable forms for payment of some group plans.
  • Prepare, collect, and organize data for the census needs for actuarial assessment. Review data in conjunction with actuarial evaluation performed.
  • Oversee maintenance of employee benefit files, updating of employee payroll benefit deductions, and payroll benefit adjustments.
         
• Participate in total rewards strategic planning with an emphasis on benefits design and budgetary planning. Focus on maximizing value by attracting, engaging and retaining employees while minimizing costs, ensuring market-competitive benefits, and maintaining or improving employee satisfaction. With a focus on improving the employee experience and operational excellence, review and modify existing benefit programs, utilizing knowledge to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Leverage benefit brokers, vendors and subject matter experts in developing and updating plan descriptions for all benefit plans.
  
  
• Support PHS’ competitive edge in benefit systems by staying informed of external developments in benefits, benchmarking inside and outside our industry, and informing senior leadership of key trends and recommendations in consultation with our benefits broker and other expert sources.
• Actively engage in all related vendor and contract negotiations. Research and support recommended benefit plan design changes, employee/employer premium ratios, and new methods of containing costs through innovative program ideas.
  
  
• Manage outside benefit vendors, brokers, and third-party administrators and respond to employee needs to ensure quality and timeliness of services. Identify and implement benefits to increase the quality of life for employees by working with brokers and researching benefits issues. Assure that vendor and third-party administrative services are provided by maintaining appropriate service and software.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate degree required, Bachelor’s degree preferred in Business Management, HR Management, or related field.
• 5+ years of professional experience in administering employee benefit programs, with 2+ years of supervisory experience preferred
• Experience in benefits design; Employee wellness program experience preferred.
• Proficient computer skills with Microsoft Office applications, payroll and HRIS systems and benefit vendor applications and platforms.
• Strong technical skills with payroll and HRIS systems including: report creation and analysis, system troubleshooting and electronic data integration
• Ability to manage multiple tasks/projects, and deadlines with ability to plan, prioritize and regularly improve processes.
• Strong analytical skills and thorough knowledge of plan designs. Ability to understand, evaluate, and make judgment on proposals (e.g., RFP’s and underwriting bids).
• Experience negotiating with insurance companies and brokers to ensure proper coverage and service.
• Experience filing 5500 Benefits Tax returns and pre-filing Audit processes.
• Knowledge and experience in employee leave administration preferred.
• Effective working knowledge of federal and state regulations and laws such as ACA, FMLA, HIPPA, ERISA Law, COBRA, and Benefits laws.
• Excellent organization, written, interpersonal, and communication skills; strong attention to detail.

The estimated starting pay range for this role is $73,000-$110,000 per year. This good faith estimate is based upon PHS’s typical starting pay range for this role. Actual pay range depends on many factors including each individual employee’s qualifications and market conditions and is subject to change.

Full-time benefits-eligible employment begins at a minimum of 30 hours per week:

• Health, and dental, including applicable HSA & FSA
• Employer Contribution to HSA for eligible Health Plans
• Life insurance (AD&D)
• Retirement, with eligibility for an employer match
• Holiday pay and extended sick

 

Full and Part-time benefits-eligible employment working between 20-29 hours per week:

• Vision insurance
• Voluntary short-term & long-term disability
• Accident & hospitalization coverage
• Education assistance programs

 

All employees:

• Accrue PTO (Paid time off)
• Same-day pay
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• College partnership educational discounts
• Access to Learn to Live Resources

Based in St. Paul, Minnesota–Presbyterian Homes & Services (PHS) is a nonprofit, faith-based organization providing a broad array of high-quality housing choices, care options and services for older adults. There are over 7,500 team members like you at PHS, serving more than 26,000 older adults through 60+ PHS-affiliated senior living communities in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin, and through Optage® and other community services. PHS is also co-owner of Genevive®, the largest geriatric primary care practice in MN, providing comprehensive care for over 15,000 older adults.

An Innovative Leader: Established in 1955, PHS has earned the reputation as an Innovative Leader dedicated to promoting independence, purposeful living, and overall well-being. PHS is now one of the largest nonprofit senior housing and services providers in the US.

Our strong focus on our employees, means we are committed to an environment where you are valued and empowered to make a difference. With a strong commitment to team growth from within, roughly 80% of leadership roles are filled through the development of people like you. To learn more about PHS culture, benefits and team development, we invite you to visit the "Careers" section of our website.

Let's get you started.

PHS is an EEO/AA employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance.