Senior Benefits Manager

Senior Benefits Manager

TEGNA Inc. helps people thrive in their local communities by providing the trusted local news and services that matter most. With 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, TEGNA reaches more than 100 million people monthly across the web, mobile apps, streaming, and linear television. Together, we are building a sustainable future for local news.

The Senior Benefits Manager will be responsible for the overall effective operation, delivery and administration of the organization's benefits programs in accordance with strategic objectives. As needed, provides special guidance and assistance to all locations on various employee benefit plans. Surveys industry and/or community to determine company's competitive position in employee benefits. Develops, recommends, and installs approved, new, or modified plans and employee benefit policies, and supervises the administration of existing plans. Develops cost control procedures to assure maximum coverage at the least possible cost to company and employee.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee and manage corporate benefit programs including, but not limited to, the health and welfare, 401(k) and frozen pension plans.
• Provide leadership and direction to two team members, ensuring effective management of Leave of Absence programs and Health & Welfare (H&W) benefit initiatives.
• Manage third party vendors, actuaries and consultants to ensure compliance, quality and efficiency of delivery of our benefit programs. Partner with the third party administrator on service delivery and new project efforts. Review plan vendors' performance, lead quarterly service delivery meetings and provide program performance reporting to Senior leadership.
• Effectively develop analytics to evaluate the effectiveness of benefit programs, identify trends, and support the development of strategy and best administrative practices. Propose changes as necessary.
• Work with outside consultants to benchmark and determine appropriate plan design changes or enhancements. Evaluates and compares existing company benefits with those of other employers.
• Maintain an external focus on best practices, regulatory requirements and the competitive environment.
• Oversee processes/troubleshooting issues resulting from system coordination between benefits administrator and payroll/HRIS system.
• Collaborate early and often. Provide constant communication to HR Business Partners and other internal constituents (e.g. Labor Relations, Finance). Act as liaison with internal departments as subject matter expert and key resource for the use and promotion of benefit plans and programs.
• Build open and honest relationships with peers and business clients
• Partner with various internal customers including; Payroll, HR, Finance and Legal to ensure excellent service delivery. Identify and execute opportunities for improved benefits experience. Handles benefit inquiries and address participant escalations to ensure quick, equitable, courteous resolution. Maintains contact in person, and by phone or mail, insurance companies, employees, and beneficiaries to facilitate proper and complete utilization of benefits for all employees.
• Create communications for employees, including mass populations, as required regarding all benefit programs. Will require strong partnership and collaboration with the Corporate Communications team.
• Assist to ensure ACA compliance and reporting is accurate and timely.
• Lead the Open Enrollment process, including being an active contributor for the strategy planning, then coordination and communication of the open enrollment delivery, including education, presentation, system testing/updates and execution.
• Audit the accuracy and performance of functions performed by benefit vendors.
• Design and distribute materials for benefits orientations, open enrollment and summary plan descriptions.
• Support other HR/Benefit projects as assigned.
• Identifies and recommends process improvements.

Qualifications:

• 5-8 years human resources experience, with significant experience in benefits
• Bachelor's Degree preferred
• Experience coaching, mentoring, and leading others
• Demonstrated skills in customer service and collaboration
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment. Ability to take initiative and prioritize to effectively manage deadlines
• Analytical and detail oriented, with the ability to locate resources and research and resolve issues through innovative solutions and sound judgment
• Technically savvy with use of current Microsoft Office tools
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills with a strong focus on customer service
• Ability to be flexible, adaptable and dependable in a constantly changing, fast-paced environment
• Experience working with large employee population (4500+ employees)

Benefits:

TEGNA offers comprehensive benefits designed to safeguard the physical, mental and financial health of our employees and their families. TEGNA offers two medical plan options for full and part-time employees through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, as well as access to dental and eye care coverage; fertility, surrogacy and adoption assistance; disability and life insurance.

Our 401(k) program offers full, part-time and temporary employees the opportunity to contribute 1% - 80% of their pay on a pre-tax basis to TEGNA's 401(k). Contributions made up to the first 4% of pay are eligible for a 100% match from the company and are 100% vested from day one.

Regardless of participation in TEGNA medical plans, ALL employees and their eligible family members receive nine free virtual doctor's appointments with a physician through Teladoc, and 12 free annual therapy sessions with a licensed clinician through Spring Health.

TEGNA offers a generous Paid Time Off (PTO) benefit as well as nine paid holidays per year.

* Some jobs are covered by a collective bargaining agreement and thus some or all of the benefits described herein may not apply. For example, some newsroom bargaining unit employees receive health and retirement benefits under plans administered by the union.

EEO statement:

TEGNA Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, hiring and developing individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences to add to our collaborative culture. We value and consider applications from all qualified candidates without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, disability, medical condition, enrollment in college or vocational school, political affiliation, military or veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. TEGNA will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law. If you are in need of an accommodation in order to submit your application, please email View email address on click.appcast.io

Recruiting Fraud Alert: To all candidates: your personal information and online safety are important to us. Only TEGNA Recruiters or Hiring Managers will reach out to you regarding consideration of your application or background. Communications with TEGNA employees will either come from a TEGNA email address with a domain of tegna.com or one of our affiliate station domains. Recruiters or Hiring Managers will never request payments, ask for financial account information or sensitive information such as social security numbers.