Benefits Manager

• Program Strategy & Design: Develop and recommend benefit programs-including health, welfare, retirement, leave, wellness, and financial wellbeing-that support employee needs and organizational goals; conduct market benchmarking and trend analysis to ensure competitiveness
• Administration & Compliance: Oversee daily operations and documentation of benefit programs, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, FMLA); maintain audit readiness and partner with Legal and Compliance on regulatory updates
• Vendor & Budget Management: Manage broker, benefits administrator and vendor relationships, including selection, negotiation, performance monitoring, and issue resolution; collaborate with Finance to develop and manage budgets, conduct cost-benefit analyses, and forecast expenditures
• Employee Experience & Communication: Lead benefit communications and education efforts through workshops, webinars, and guides; serve as escalation point for complex employee inquiries and claims issues.
• Leverage data analytics to assess program utilization, identify gaps, and inform strategic decisions. Design, recommend, and produce reports on benefit metrics and ROI; partner with HRIS to automate processes and enhance data integrity
• Oversee retirement plan administration (e.g., 401(k), pension), ensuring compliance and employee education; promote financial wellness tools and resources
• Conduct regular program evaluations using employee feedback and utilization data; recommend enhancements to align with workforce needs and organizational strategy
• Comply with Company and department policies and standards; performs other duties as assigned

• Accountable for team staffing and managing direct reports to include development, performance management, goal setting, and other managerial duties
• Ensures direct reports are aware of and follow ethical business practices and Company's Code of Conduct to maintain a supportive and productive working environment.

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resource Management or related field or equivalent education and/or experience
• 6 years of experience in Human Resources, Benefits, or related.
• 2 years people management experience with a strong focus on team collaboration
• Experience with managing benefit programs and setup with an HRIS platform (e.g., Workday, SAP, Oracle, etc.)

• Experience with Workday benefits and compensation modules
• Experience with wellness and financial wellbeing program design

• Demonstrated subject matter expertise in benefits strategy, program design & administration, compliance, and vendor management
• Strong project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills; ability to handle multiple priorities in a time sensitive and dynamic environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization
• Demonstrated ability to lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing benefits team by fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and results-oriented work environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and HRIS platforms (e.g., Workday, SAP, Oracle)

• Communicate/Hearing Frequently
• Communicate/Talking Frequently
• Learn New Tasks or Concepts Frequently
• Make Timely Decisions in the Context of a Workflow Frequently
• Complete Tasks Independently Constantly
• Maintain Focus Constantly
• Remember Processes & Procedures Constantly
• Stationary Position (Seated) Constantly

• 5% travel to vendor meetings locally as needed

Patterson Companies