HR Benefits Manager

Job Description

Job Description

The intent of this job description is to provide a summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed in this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

The Benefits Manager is an experienced Human Resources professional responsible for owning and driving the administration, financial oversight, compliance, and continuous improvement of employee benefits programs across ~800 covered lives and 4 company plan structures. This role serves as the primary subject matter expert for benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and retirement programs.

A core strategic priority for this role will be project-managing and leading our upcoming 2027 transition from fully insured to self-funded medical plans in partnership with HR leadership, Finance, brokers, vendors, and other stakeholders to ensure programs are competitive, financially sustainable, and effectively administered.

In addition to benefits ownership, the Benefits Manager is expected to maintain broad working knowledge across Human Resources to provide cross-functional support, help resolve team escalations, and back up HR operations as needed.

Confidentiality & Information Security

All HR team members must sign and comply with Rancho Health MSO’s HR Department Confidentiality Agreement. This role requires regular access to sensitive employee and company information. A high level of discretion, data protection, and adherence to privacy policies is required at all times, including after employment ends.

Essential Job Duties

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits Management & Administration (FULL OWNERSHIP)

• Own day-to-day administration and oversight of employee benefits programs across MSO and Provider populations, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and supplemental benefits across 4 company plans.
• Serve as the primary internal resource for benefits-related questions, escalations, vendor coordination, and complex issues.
• Manage relationships with benefits brokers, carriers, third-party administrators, and other external partners.
• Lead annual benefits renewals, open enrollment planning, implementation, employee communications, and post-enrollment reconciliation.
• Partner with HR Operations to ensure accurate benefits eligibility, enrollment, deductions, and system configuration.

Self-Funded Medical Plans & Financial Oversight (FULL OWNERSHIP)

• 2027 Self-Funded Transition: Lead the operational execution of our transition from fully insured to self-funded health plans, working closely with brokers, third-party administrators, stop-loss carriers, and Finance.
• Monitor plan performance and financial exposure by reviewing claims experience, utilization trends, large claimant activity, and funding requirements.
• Analyze benefits costs, identify trends and risks, and develop recommendations for HR and executive leadership.
• Coordinate stop-loss renewals, funding arrangements, reporting, financial reconciliations, and support benefits budgeting and forecasting.

Benefits Compliance & Retirement Plan Oversight (FULL OWNERSHIP)

• Oversee compliance with applicable federal and state employee benefits requirements, including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and related regulations.
• Coordinate required notices, plan documentation, reporting, audits, and compliance activities.
• Oversee administration, vendor relationships, compliance coordination, and ongoing performance of the organization’s 401(k) retirement plans in partnership with Payroll and HR Operations.

HR Operations & Cross-Functional Support

• Maintain broad working knowledge of HR functions, including employee relations, leaves of absence, workers' compensation, recruiting, onboarding/offboarding, and HRIS.
• Provide general HR support and backup during peak workloads, absences, acquisitions, integrations, and special projects.
• Partner with HR Business Partners and HR Operations on matters involving benefits, leaves, employee transitions, and overlapping responsibilities.
• Identify issues requiring specialized expertise or HR leadership involvement and escalate appropriately.

Ownership & Accountability

Each role within HR has defined ownership. This position is expected to independently own employee benefits programs end-to-end, including financial oversight, compliance, vendor management, and the 2027 self-funded implementation. While collaboration across the HR team is expected, accountability for assigned benefits program outcomes remains with the Benefits Manager.

Team Collaboration & Flexibility

The Human Resources team operates with clear ownership and shared accountability. Each role is responsible for defined functions and outcomes, while also supporting one another during peak workloads, time off, audits, acquisitions, integrations, and special initiatives. Collaboration, cross-training, and flexibility are essential to ensuring continuity of service and team effectiveness.

Required Education and Experience

• Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum Experience: 3+ years of progressive employee benefits administration experience, including exposure to self-funded health plan administration, broker management, and annual open enrollments.
• Broad understanding of Human Resources functions and employee lifecycle processes, with the ability to provide support beyond benefits administration.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage programs, vendor relationships, competing priorities, and complex issues.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in HRIS and benefits administration systems ( ADP Workforce Now strongly preferred).
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including data analysis, reporting, claims reconciliation, and pivot tables.
• Experience using project and workflow management tools (e.g., Monday.c