Human Resources Manager

Manager, Human Resources, Benefits & Employee Relations

The Manager, Human Resources, Benefits & Employee Relations is responsible for managing the Company's Human Resources operations under the direction of the Vice President, Human Resources, Administration & Labor Relations. This position administers the Company's shoreside employee benefits programs, retiree health plan reimbursement program, employee leave administration, personal injury coordination, employee relations, Human Resources Information System (HRIS), employee engagement initiatives, and Human Resources compliance. The position also serves as the Human Resources liaison with the Seafarers International Union (SIU) to assist mariners with benefit-related questions and coordinate benefit matters with the Union. This position supervises the Receptionist/Human Resources Assistant and coordinates employee appreciation programs, service and longevity awards, retiree recognition, Company events, employee communications, and social media initiatives. Working closely with the Vice President of Human Resources, Administration & Labor Relations and the Payroll Department, this position ensures the accurate administration of employee benefits, leave programs, personnel transactions, retiree health reimbursements, payroll-related employee changes, and other Human Resources operations while promoting employee engagement and delivering exceptional customer service to employees.

Key Interactions: Vice President, Human Resources, Administration & Labor Relations, Payroll Department, Director of Talent Acquisition & Employee Relations, Director of Training & Development, Executive Leadership Team, Department Directors, Managers, Supervisors, Employees, Finance, Risk Management, Seafarers International Union (SIU), Benefits Brokers, Insurance Carriers, Third-Party Administrators, Medical Providers, Legal Counsel, HRIS Vendors, Community Organizations, Event Vendors, and Regulatory Agencies.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate and exchange information professionally to perform essential job functions, including communicating with employees, managers, vendors, union representatives, and other business partners, with or without reasonable accommodation
• Adhere to all company policies and applicable regulations
• Analyze, troubleshoot, and resolve issues, escalating when appropriate
• Demonstrate strong ethical conduct, problem-solving, interpersonal skills, professionalism, sound judgment, relationship building, and customer service skills in all interactions
• Demonstrated working knowledge and experience using ADP Workforce Now within the past six months
• Experience administering employee benefit programs, retiree benefit programs, Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), leave administration, and employee recognition programs

• Experience assisting with departmental budget preparation and administration preferred
• Experience in a unionized environment is preferred
• Interpret and follow complex written and verbal instructions
• Learn and apply company policies, procedures, and the Towing Safety Management System (T.S.M.S.)
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive business and personnel information
• Manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and service standards
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience with emphasis on benefits administration, Human Resources operations, employee relations, leave administration, payroll coordination, and employee engagement.
• Professional certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, CEBS, or related Human Resources certification preferred.
• Requires proficiency in standard business hardware and software, including Microsoft Office and web-based systems
• Strong attention to detail, analytical ability, and problem-solving skills
• Strong knowledge of employee benefits administration, leave administration, payroll coordination, and Human Resources compliance
• Supervisory experience preferred
• Support departmental and organizational goals and objectives
• Thorough knowledge of Human Resources operations and employment practices
• Work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Working knowledge of FMLA, ADA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, ERISA, and applicable federal and state employment laws

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Human Resources Operations

• Administer and maintain the Human Resources Information System (HRIS), ensuring employee data integrity and timely personnel transactions
• Ensure compliance with Company policies, procedures, and Human Resources best practices
• Maintain accurate employee records and confidential Human Resources documentation
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and Company policies
• Manage the daily operations of Human Resources while providing exceptional customer service to employees and management
• Process employee status changes, organizational updates, personnel actions, and employment documentation
• Recommend and implement improvements to Human Resources policies, procedures, workflows, and operational efficiencies
• Utilize ADP Workforce Now to perform essential HR and payroll-related functions, maintain accurate employee records, and support day-to-day workforce administration

Employee Benefits Administration

• Administer the Company's shoreside employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, voluntary benefits, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), COBRA, retirement plans, and wellness initiatives
• Coordinate the annual Open Enrollment process, including employee communications, enrollment meetings, benefit education, and system administration
• Serve as the primary Human Resources contact for employee benefit eligibility, enrollment, life events, claims assistance, and benefit questions
• Partner with benefit brokers, insurance carriers, consultants, and third-party administrators to ensure efficient administration of benefit programs
• Monitor benefit invoices and assist with reconciliation, reporting, and annual renewals
• Assist with annual benefits analysis and recommendations for plan improvements

Retiree Benefits Administration

• Administer the Company's retiree health plan reimbursement program.
• Verify retiree eligibility and process reimbursement requests in accordance with Company policy
• Coordinate retiree benefit communications and maintain accurate reimbursement records
• Work closely with Payroll and Finance to ensure timely reimbursement processing
• Serve as the primary contact for retiree benefit inquiries

SIU Benefit Coordination

• Serve as the Human Resources liaison with the Seafarers International Union (SIU) regarding mariner benefit questions
• Assist mariners with understanding available benefit programs and direct employees to the appropriate SIU representatives when necessary
• Coordinate with SIU representatives to resolve benefit-related issues while maintaining positive labor-management relationships

Leave Administration

• Administer employee leave programs, including Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations, military leave, personal leave, bereavement leave, and other Company leave programs
• Coordinate leave requests, medical certifications, employee communications, return-to-work documentation, and compliance requirements
• Partner with Payroll to ensure accurate leave coding and payroll processing

Personal Injury Administration

• Coordinate the Company's personal injury administration program by working closely with employees, Risk Management, Payroll, medical providers, legal counsel, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators.
• Maintain confidential claim documentation and employee communications
• Assist employees throughout the recovery process and coordinate return-to-work activities
• Coordinate payroll and benefit continuation related to employee injury claims

Employee Relations

• Assist managers and employees with interpretation and application of Company policies and procedures.
• Provide guidance regarding employee relations matters, performance concerns, corrective action, attendance issues, and workplace conflict
• Support the Vice President with workplace investigations and employee relations initiatives
• Promote consistency, fairness, and professionalism in the administration of Company policies

Employee Engagement & Communications

• Coordinate employee appreciation events, service awards, longevity awards, retiree recognition programs, wellness initiatives, holiday celebrations, and Company-sponsored events
• Coordinate employee recognition programs that reinforce the Company's culture and values
• Manage internal employee communications and Company social media initiatives supporting recruiting, employee engagement, recognition, and organizational culture
• Assist with employee surveys and engagement initiatives

Payroll Coordination

• Maintain a collaborative partnership with the Payroll Department to ensure timely and accurate processing of personnel actions affecting payroll
• Coordinate employee status changes, benefit deductions, leave administration, retiree reimbursements, and other payroll-related Human Resources activities
• Assist in resolving payroll discrepancies related to employee benefits and Human Resources transactions

Budget Administration

• Assist the Vice President of Human Resources, Administration & Labor Relations with the preparation, administration, and monitoring of the Human Resources departmental budget
• Monitor expenditures related to employee benefits, recognition programs, Company events, departmental operations, and Human