Benefits Manager

United States This position is not eligible for employer sponsorship. Applicants must be legally authorized to work and must not require employer sponsorship. Location: 20 East Thomas Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85012 United States of America To ensure a fair and consistent evaluation process, candidates are expected to complete all interviews and assessments independently and without the use of artificial intelligence tools (including AI-generated responses, prompts, or real-time assistance). Use of AI throughout the application and recruiting process may result in removal from consideration. Our goal is to get to know your authentic experiences, communication style, and problem-solving approach. This is a fully onsite position located at our corporate campus in Phoenix, AZ. Position Overview: Reporting directly to the Executive Vice President (EVP) of Human Resources (HR), the Manager, Benefits leads the Company's health, welfare, wellness, and related benefit programs supporting Team Members and their families. This role leads benefit strategy, administration, communication, compliance, and vendor relationships while balancing Team Member needs with Company goals and responsible stewardship of Company resources. Success in this role requires more than managing benefit plans. The Manager, Benefits develops people, builds trusted partnerships, and makes thoughtful decisions that help Team Members understand and make the most of their benefits. This leader balances service, compliance, financial responsibility, and the long-term needs of the Company to deliver meaningful value to Team Members and support U-Haul's continued success. Essential Duties, Responsibilities & Key Accountabilities: Serve as the Company's benefits leader, aligning benefits priorities with HR’s mission, Company goals, and Team Member needs. Develop, coach, and lead the Benefits Team by building expertise, promoting accountability, and delivering accurate, timely, and dependable service. Oversee the design, administration, communication, and ongoing management of health, welfare, disability, life insurance, wellness, voluntary, and other benefit programs. Evaluate benefit programs, costs, utilization, participation, Team Member feedback, and other data to identify opportunities and improve value, service, and program effectiveness. Develop benefit strategies that support attraction and retention while balancing Team Member needs, affordability, competitiveness, compliance, and Company goals. Lead relationships with carriers, consultants, brokers, third-party administrators, wellness vendors, and other service providers while holding partners accountable for service and results. Manage renewals, contract negotiations, requests for proposals (RFPs), vendor evaluations, and benefit implementations. Partner with Leave, Compensation, Payroll, Legal, HRIS, and other departments to ensure effective benefit administration, accurate data, and sound financial management. Lead annual enrollment and benefit communications and education efforts that help Team Members understand their benefits and make informed decisions. Monitor healthcare, wellness, and regulatory trends and recommend practical changes that improve benefits and Team Member outcomes. Ensure benefit programs comply with applicable federal, state, provincial, and local requirements, including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, and other applicable regulations. Establish and maintain policies, procedures, controls, audits, and reporting processes to support compliance, consistency, and data integrity. Oversee the Benefits budget, vendor expenditures, resource planning, and expenses while ensuring Economy & Effectiveness (E&E) and responsible stewardship of Company resources. Demonstrate the HR Department’s leadership principles through accountability, unity of direction, and a SUP (Supportive, Upbeat, and Positive) approach. Skills, Requirements & Qualifications: Required 7+ years of progressive experience in employee benefits, health and welfare administration, wellness programs, or related HR functions. 5+ years of leadership experience developing professionals and leading benefits or HR service teams. Extensive knowledge of benefit plan design, administration, funding, and financial considerations. Demonstrated experience managing health, welfare, wellness, and voluntary benefit programs. Strong understanding of applicable benefit regulations, including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, and related requirements. Experience managing benefit vendors, renewals, contract negotiations, implementations, and service expectations. Demonstrated ability to analyze benefit costs, utilization, participation, and trends to support sound business decisions. Strong analytical, organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills. Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to build trusted relationships across the organization. Ability to explain complex benefit information clearly and effectively to Team Members, leaders, and business partners. High level of integrity, professionalism, and discretion in handling confidential information. Preferred Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Healthcare Administration, or a related field. Experience leading benefits programs for a large, multi-state employer. Experience with Workday Benefits, reporting, and employee self-service tools. Experience managing self-funded health plans, wellness programs, pharmacy benefits, or related programs. Experience leading major benefit implementations, carrier transitions, or organizational change initiatives. What Success Looks Like: The successful candidate will: Champion a people-first culture by providing benefit programs that deliver meaningful value to Team Members and their families. Develop and lead the Benefits Team through coaching, accountability, and empowerment. Build trusted partnerships by listening first, understanding needs, and delivering practical benefits solutions. Balance Team Member needs, Company priorities, financial stewardship, and compliance when making benefit decisions. Use data, sound judgment, and industry knowledge to identify opportunities and improve benefit programs. Communicate benefits clearly and effectively so Team Members understand what is available to them and how to use it. Take ownership, follow through on commitments, and hold yourself and others accountable. Stay informed on changes in healthcare, benefits, wellness, and regulatory requirements and proactively identify opportunities to improve. Create an environment where Team Members, leaders, and business partners feel supported, informed, and confident in the benefits experience. This is a full-time, salaried position based on-site at U-Haul's Midtown Campus Tower in Phoenix, Arizona. Regular business hours are Monday through Friday; however, flexibility in scheduling, including evenings and weekends, is required to support business operations, Company initiatives, and Team Member needs. U-Haul Offers: Medical insurance Prescription drug plans Dental & Vision plan with hearing care discounts Onsite medical clinic for team members and eligible family members New indoor fitness gym (Midtown Phoenix campus) Get Fit Gym Reimbursement Program Registered Dietitian Program WeightWatchers CVS Virtual Care U-Haul Kids Program 24-Hour Nurse Line Wellness Program (HealthierYou initiatives & challenges) Mindset App Reimbursement Pet Insurance & Wellness plans Career stability Opportunities for advancement Valuable on‑the‑job training Tuition Reimbursement Program Free online courses for personal and professional development at U-Haul University 401(k) Savings Plan Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Company‑paid life insurance Voluntary life insurance options Short-Term and Long‑Term Disability Critical Illness, Accident & Hospital Indemnity plans Business & business travel insurance MetLaw Legal Program MetLife Auto & Home Insurance LifeLock Identity Theft Protection Dave Ramsey's SmartDollar Financial Wellness Program U-Haul Federal Credit Union Paid holidays, vacation, and sick time YouMatter Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Discounts on cell phone plans, hotels, computers, vehicles & more Community involvement & volunteer opportunities U-Haul Mothers Program (Paid maternity leave) U-Haul Holding Company, and its family of companies including U-Haul International, Inc. ("U-Haul"), continually strives to create a culture of health and wellness. Consistent with applicable state law, U-Haul will not hire or re-hire individuals who use nicotine products. The states in which U-Haul will decline to hire nicotine users are: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. U-Haul has observed this hiring practice since February 1, 2020 as part of our commitment to a healthy work environment for our team. U-Haul is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, provincial, state or local law. Individual accommodations are available on requests for applicants taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Information obtained during this process will only be shared on a need to know basis. #J-18808-Ljbffr U-Haul