Benefits Manager

Benefits Manager, Total RewardsThe Benefits Manager, Total Rewards is responsible for the strategic design, administration, and continuous improvement of employee benefits programs, including health, welfare, and retirement benefits. This role is responsible for monitoring legal and regulatory changes in laws and aligning with the company's goals. This role will support crafting benefit offerings that are competitive, compliant, and aligned with the company's strategy.Essential Functions:Team Leadership & Development — 15% of timeLeads and develops the Benefits team in alignment with Towne's mission, vision, and valuesCommunicates and enforces company policies, procedures, and standards; drives accountability, performance, employee development, and talent retentionBenefits Program Design & Administration — 20% of timeDesigns, communicates, and implements health, welfare, retirement, and ancillary benefit programs that support employee well-being and organizational goalsPartners with appropriate internal stakeholders, including HR and Finance, as well as the company's health and welfare benefits broker, to align benefits with talent strategies and ensure seamless execution and administration of benefits programsBenefits Operations & Employee Communication — 20% of timeOversees daily benefits operations, including enrollments, life event changes, vendor issue resolution, claims escalations, and employee supportDevelops and delivers employee communications and education programs to enhance understanding and engagement with benefit offeringsCompliance & Risk Management — 15% of timeEnsures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, plan requirements, and company policiesEstablishes and maintains controls, audits, processes, and systems to mitigate risk and support regulatory complianceMarket Benchmarking & Vendor Management — 15% of timeConducts market benchmarking and trend analysis to maintain competitive benefits offeringsPartners with the company's benefits broker to evaluate market practices and optimize program designEvaluates and negotiates vendor and broker contracts and services to ensure cost-effectiveness, operational efficiency, and complianceProgram Rollouts, Data Analysis & Continuous Improvement — 15% of timeLeads organization-wide initiatives and programs, ensuring rollouts are accompanied by appropriate resources, tools, and an effective communication planAnalyzes benefits and vendor performance metrics, claims data, utilization trends, employee feedback, and KPIs; identifies opportunities to improve employee experience, program effectiveness, efficiency, and cost management, and recommends actionable solutionsQualificationsEducation:Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or related degree required.Required Licensure, Certification, etc.:Certified Human Resources Professional (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP) preferred.Certified Employee Benefit Specialist® (CEBS) or Certified Benefits Professional® (CBP) strongly preferredWork Experience:8-10 years of experience in related field2 or more years of experience leading a team3-5 years of related work experience leading the administration of health, welfare, and retirement plansKnowledge & Skills:Ability to effectively plan, set priorities, and manage many projects simultaneously while working to meet deadlines.Computer proficiency and technical aptitude with the ability to utilize MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook) and various technology applications.Experience with HR information systems and vendor platforms.Excellent communication and negotiation abilities.Thorough understanding of local, state, and federal employment laws.Ability to coach, consult, and build effective relationships.Strong interpersonal skills in dealing with senior managementAbility to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.Strong attention to detail and analytical and problem-solving skills.Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively address all levels in the organization.Ability to read and decipher vendor agreements.Ability to exercise considerable judgment and discretion in dealing with matters of significance for the company.Brand Enhancers: Ensures benefits programs and communications reflect Towne's brand and genuine commitment to associate well-beingRelentlessly People-Focused: Approaches benefits design and vendor decisions with real care for the associate experience, not just cost or complianceAsset Optimizers: Negotiates vendor and broker contracts to maximize value and coverage quality without unnecessary spendData-Driven Innovators: Uses claims data, utilization trends, and benchmarking to proactively shape program design rather than reactively adjust itPassionate About Performance: Holds the Benefits team and vendor partners accountable to service standards and measurable program outcomesScopeAuthority to Act:Performs duties independently with minimal supervision, operating from specific and definite directions and instructions. Decisions are of a routine nature made within prescribed operating guidelines, policies and procedures. Mistakes/errors may result in work stoppage, loss of business, poor customer relations and/or damage to product, all of which can have negative financial implications for the organization.Budget Responsibility:The employee has control over resources available only.Working Conditions & Physical DemandsThe working conditions and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Physical RequirementsWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit or stand for extended periods of time and may be required to run; walk; handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.Lifting RequirementsExerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.Working EnvironmentThe majority of work will be performed in climate-controlled environments but may be exposed to inclement weather and varying degrees of temperatures on occasion.TravelTravel of up to 20% may be required.