Benefits Manager

Benefits ManagerThe Benefits Manager is responsible for supporting the strategy, administration, compliance, and continuous enhancement of Auberge's U.S. benefits programs, with a long-term focus on expanding oversight and governance of global benefits offerings. This role oversees the day-to-day management of employee benefit plans and administration, while providing guidance and support to property-level Talent & Culture teams on benefits administration, plan interpretation, communications, and issue resolution.As Auberge continues its global growth, this role will progressively broaden in scope to provide greater visibility, governance, and strategic oversight across international benefits programs. The Benefits Manager will partner with regional leaders, brokers, consultants, and vendors to establish consistent benefits practices, enhance reporting and benchmarking capabilities, and support the development of a cohesive global benefits strategy that aligns with Auberge's culture, growth objectives, and Total Rewards philosophy.Working collaboratively with internal stakeholders and external partners, the Benefits Manager will support benefit plan design, vendor management, communications, and process improvements to deliver an exceptional Team Member experience. This role also plays a critical role in ensuring benefits compliance related to ACA, ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, and other federal, state and international requirements.The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented, collaborative problem-solver, strategic thinker, and exceptional communicator who can navigate complex benefits issues while translating them into clear, accessible information for Team Members. The Benefits Manager will help shape programs that support Auberge's culture, enhance the Team Member experience, and enable the company's continued growth.Benefits Plan Management (55%):Manage the day-to-day operations and annual lifecycle of Auberge's U.S. benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, parental leave, and retirement plans, ensuring seamless administration, renewals, vendor coordination, and plan enhancements.Oversee the administration and financial operations of Auberge's self-funded medical benefit programs, ensuring accurate funding, reporting, reconciliation, and compliance with plan requirements.Partner with third-party administrators (TPAs), stop-loss carriers, PBMs, consultants, and finance teams to ensure accurate claim payments, eligibility administration, funding transfers, and financial reporting.Monitor monthly claims activity, funding requirements, stop-loss performance, reserve levels, and plan financial results; identify trends, risks, and opportunities for cost containment.Reconcile benefit plan funding, invoices, claim payments, administrative fees, stop-loss reimbursements, and reserve accounts; investigate and resolve discrepancies.Partner with Finance and Accounting to support budgeting, forecasting, accruals, reserve analysis, and month-end and year-end reporting related to employee benefit plans.Serve as the primary benefits subject matter expert for property-level Talent & Culture teams, providing guidance on plan administration, eligibility, Team Member inquiries, and issue resolution.Support benefits compliance by maintaining plan documentation, monitoring regulatory developments, and partnering with Benefits Consultants and ERISA Counsel to ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and other applicable federal and state regulations.Analyze benefits costs, utilization trends, Team Member engagement, and market benchmarks to identify opportunities for program enhancements, cost management, and improved Team Member experience; present recommendations to the Director, Talent & Culture.Coordinate vendor selection and management activities, including RFP support, contract renewals, performance monitoring, service issue resolution, and relationship management.Develop and maintain benefits dashboards, metrics, and reporting to track participation, utilization, vendor performance, and Team Member feedback, providing actionable insights to stakeholders.Support internal and external audits by preparing documentation, responding to requests, and ensuring timely resolution of findings and remediation activities.Lead and execute benefits-related projects, including vendor implementations, process improvements, communication enhancements, and system upgrades, ensuring successful delivery and stakeholder alignment.Identify opportunities to streamline processes, improve service delivery, and enhance the overall Team Member benefits experience.Benefits Technology (30%):Serve as support for Auberge's Benefits Administration platform transition, supporting implementation activities and ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and functionality of benefits data and plan configurations in preparation for the January 1, 2027 go-live.Partner with internal stakeholders, vendors, and implementation teams to validate system requirements, test functionality, and support successful deployment of the new platform.Oversee annual system readiness for Annual Enrollment, including configuration reviews, testing, quality assurance, and coordination with vendors to ensure a seamless Team Member experience.Manage ongoing benefits technology operations, including system maintenance, data audits, process enhancements, and issue resolution to ensure optimal performance and compliance.Identify opportunities to improve processes, reporting capabilities, automation, and the overall user experience through effective utilization of benefits technology solutions.Develop and maintain system documentation, workflows, and training materials to support Talent & Culture teams and ensure consistent administration practices across the organization.Benefits Communication (15%):Support the development and execution of the Annual Enrollment communication strategy, including reviewing communication materials and coordinating training sessions for Talent & Culture teams and Team Members.Drive year-round benefits communication initiatives through a variety of channels to increase awareness, understanding, and engagement with benefit programs.Partner with brokers, vendors, and benefit plan administrators to analyze plan utilization, trends, and performance metrics, and develop targeted communication campaigns that improve program participation, engagement, and outcomes.Ensure benefits information is communicated clearly, accurately, and consistently, translating complex plan details into accessible and meaningful content for Team Members.Evaluate the effectiveness of communication efforts and recommend enhancements to improve the Team Member experience and overall benefits program performance.QualificationsBachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.5+ years of progressive experience in benefits administration, total rewards, or HR operations, including direct responsibility for benefits programs and vendor partnerships.Strong knowledge of employee benefits administration and plan operations, including self-funded medical plans, renewals, open enrollment, leave programs, and vendor management.Strong knowledge of various plan funding arrangements (self-funded, level-funded, and captive health plan structures), including claims funding mechanisms, stop-loss insurance, reserve management, and plan financial reporting.Experience working directly with TPAs, stop-loss carriers, PBMs, benefits consultants, actuaries, and/or captive organizations.Experience supporting benefits-related financial audits, reconciliations, and compliance reviews preferred.Working knowledge of key benefits regulations and compliance requirements, including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, and COBRA, with the ability to effectively partner with external consultants and legal counsel.Experience working with benefits administration systems, including requirements gathering, testing, implementation support, and process optimization.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and develop actionable recommendations.Strong project management skills, including planning, prioritization, risk management, stakeholder coordination, and change communications.Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex benefits concepts into clear and engaging communications for Team Members and leadership audiences.Hospitality, multi-state workforce, or geographically dispersed workforce experience preferred.Additional InformationThis role will be based in Bethesda, MD.This role offers a base salary range of $110,000 - $130,000 plus a comprehensive medical, dental, vision and voluntary benefits, 401k employer match, employer paid life insurance, employee assistance program and a team member hotel stay program.