Benefits Manager

Benefits ManagerThe purpose of this role is to manage the development, communication, and implementation of employee benefit policies and programs, ensuring alignment with organizational needs and compliance with legal requirements. This role will also involve managing relationships with external benefit providers, analyzing market trends to enhance offerings and providing guidance in the business on benefits.The Benefits Manager is responsible for the strategic management, administration, compliance, communication, and continuous improvement of North America's health & welfare, retirement, voluntary benefit, and wellbeing programs. This role serves as the subject matter expert for benefits, leveraging market intelligence, industry trends, employee feedback, and program data to enhance benefit offerings, improve employee experience, drive operational excellence, ensure regulatory compliance, and optimize return on investment. The Benefits Manager oversees vendor and broker relationships, manages benefit plan financials and budgets, leads the implementation of new benefit and wellbeing initiatives, serves as the escalation point for complex employee benefit matters, and provides leadership for the benefits function, including direct management of a Senior Benefits Specialist.Location: Chicago, IL; Madison, WIWork Arrangement: This role is hybrid, where you will be expected to be in the office 2-3 days per weekThe salary range for this role is between $119,000-$197,000Your New Role:Design, implement, administer, and optimize health & welfare, retirement, wellbeing, and voluntary benefit programs that support business objectives and employee needs.Lead benefits and wellbeing projects and strategic initiatives, including new program implementations, vendor transitions, plan audits, compliance reviews, open enrollment activities, and Requests for Proposal (RFPs).Develop and maintain strong relationships with benefit vendors, brokers, consultants, and service providers, including contract negotiations, performance management, service delivery oversight, and identification of opportunities to improve value, outcomes, and the employee experience.Manage the benefits ecosystem by ensuring benefit programs, vendor partners, wellbeing initiatives, employee support resources, and communication strategies work together effectively to deliver seamless employee experiences and desired business outcomes.Research emerging industry trends, regulatory developments, and market-leading practices to identify opportunities to enhance benefits and wellbeing programs and maintain a competitive total rewards offering.Monitor benefit plan utilization, financial performance, vendor guarantees, and annual budgets, using data, employee feedback, benchmarking, and trend analysis to develop recommendations that improve program effectiveness, employee engagement, cost management, and return on investment.Drive the use of technology and automation to improve efficiency, accuracy, and the employee experience. Lead continuous improvement efforts to identify opportunities to streamline benefits delivery.Develop and execute a North America wellbeing strategy that supports employees' physical, emotional, financial, and social wellbeing while advancing organizational objectives.Lead open enrollment and year-round benefits communication strategies, including employee education, training sessions, policies, procedures, and self-service resources that improve understanding, engagement, and utilization of benefit programs.Lead all benefits compliance activities, ensuring compliance with applicable federal and state requirements, including ERISA, COBRA, ACA, HIPAA, FMLA, and other applicable regulations. Oversee required filings, compliance testing, disclosures/notices, plan audits, reporting obligations, governance activities, and compliance controls.Maintain and govern benefit plan documentation, including plan documents, summary plan descriptions, policies, procedures, and other required materials, in partnership with vendors, consultants, brokers, and legal counsel to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance.Serve as an escalation point for complex employee benefit matters, applying plan provisions, regulatory requirements, and sound judgment to resolve concerns, ensure consistent interpretation of plan documents, and mitigate compliance risk.Partner with internal stakeholders to support benefits strategy, governance, compliance, financial management, vendor management, and delivery.Serve as a representative on benefits and retirement committees, providing subject matter expertise, analysis, recommendations, and support for committee objectives and fiduciary responsibilities.Lead, coach, and develop the Senior Benefits Specialist while fostering a collaborative, innovative, and accountable team environment, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring the successful delivery of high-quality benefits programs, services, and initiatives.Perform other duties as assigned.Preferred Qualifications:Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, Healthcare Administration, or a related field or equivalent combination of education and work experience.CEBS or similar professional certificationExperience supporting self-funded medical plans and working with benefits fiduciary committeesPreferred Competencies:Progressive experience in benefits, total rewards, or human resources, including health and welfare, 401(k) retirement, and wellbeing programs.Strong knowledge of benefits regulations and compliance requirements, including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and related federal and state regulations for health & welfare and 401(k) plans.Experience designing, administering, and enhancing benefit programs, including implementation of new benefits, vendor transitions, and change management initiatives.Demonstrated experience managing vendors, brokers, consultants, and benefit plan performance to drive service quality, financial outcomes, and employee experience.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data and market insights to develop recommendations and improve program outcomes.Demonstrated leadership, project management, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to lead teams, influence decisions, build collaborative partnerships, and effectively communicate with employees, leaders, and executive stakeholders.Demonstrated ability to leverage benefits technologies, automation, and digital solutions to streamline processes, enhance service delivery, improve the employee experience, and support data-driven decision-making.Compensation Package:The salary range for this role is provided above. This is the national range for location(s) listed. The salary offer will be decided based on the role's complexity, its location, and the candidate's professional background, including their education and experience. Beyond the base salary, regular full-time and part-time employees will also be eligible for QBE's annual discretionary bonus plan based on business and individual performance. We encourage all candidates to apply, even if their salary expectations fall outside of this range, as we are committed to finding the right fit for our team.QBE Benefits:Hybrid Working – a mix of working from home and in the office22 weeks of paid leave for family growth, with 12 weeks available to all parents on a gender-equal basisCompetitive 401(k) program with company match up to 8%Well-being program including holistic wellbeing coaching, gym membership, confidential counselling, financial and legal adviceTuition Reimbursement for professional certifications, and continuing educationEmployee Network and Community – QBE actively supports six Employee Networks, and many ways to give back to your communityWhy QBE? What if you could have a positive impact – at work and in the world?At QBE, we're enabling a more resilient future – for our customers, communities, environment, and for our people. We're building momentum to achieve something significant and know our people are at the center of our success.Our industry offers interesting and varied careers where you can help people to protect what matters most. As part of the QBE team, you'll get to spend every day working with people who are passionate, talented and kind. And our international scale means we're big enough for your ambitions, yet small enough for you to make a real impact.Join us now, so you can be part of our success – and we can be part of yours!QBE is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to, among others, individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to search and apply for a career opportunity with QBE, please inform our Talent Acquisition team to let us know the nature of your accommodation request and your contact information.Equal Employment Opportunity:QBE provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race; color; gender; gender identity; sexual orientation; religious practices and observances; national origin; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; protected veteran status; or disability or any other legally protected status.This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for current or future sponsorship.