Benefits & Wellness Manager

Overview OUC - The Reliable One is presently seeking a Benefits & Wellness Manager to join the Employee Experience division. At OUC, we don’t just work – we’re building a bright future of innovation and transformation for future generations. We are seeking an experienced and analytical professional to lead the strategy, design, and administration of employee benefits, wellness programs, retirement plans, and leave/accommodation processes. This role ensures programs are competitive, compliant, fiscally responsible, and aligned with organizational goals. The Manager partners across the organization and with external vendors while leading a high-performing team that provides exceptional support to employees and retirees. OUC is an industry leader and the second largest municipal utility in Florida committed to innovation, sustainability, and our community. OUC’s mission is to provide exceptional value to our customers and community by delivering sustainable and reliable services and solutions. Join a team of visionary Change Agents, Strategists, and Community Ambassadors who understand the vital role of diverse experiences in powering creativity and industry transformation. At OUC, each position contributes to the success and achievement of our goals. Click here to learn more about what we do. Key Responsibilities Develop and execute a long-term benefits and wellness strategy aligned to business needs. Oversee plan design for health, welfare, retirement, wellness, and leave programs, ensuring compliance and cost stewardship. Monitor market trends, claims data, and benchmarking to recommend enhancements and future plan strategies. Lead administration of defined benefit, defined contribution, and cash balance plans. Manage FMLA, disability programs, and ADA accommodations. Drive data analytics, reporting, and HRIS workflows, including open enrollment. Lead vendor selection, performance management, and contract negotiations. Oversee budget management, ACA/state reporting, RDS, nondiscrimination testing, and regulatory compliance. Develop, coach, and upskill a team of benefits professionals; foster a culture of service, accountability, and continuous improvement. Serve as a collaborative and trusted advisor to leadership and stakeholders. Qualifications Deep knowledge of total rewards, benefits compliance, Section 125, and retirement plan administration. Experience with wellness program design, leave administration, and ADA accommodations. Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and drive strategy. Proven vendor management, negotiation, and budgeting experience. Exceptional communication and partnership skills, with history of developing teams. Strategic thinker who is also comfortable operating in the details when needed. The ideal candidate will have Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or related degree from a publicly accredited college or university (required). A minimum of seven (7) years of progressive experience in Human Resources and/or Benefits Management to include: Five (5) years of experience specifically in Benefits Administration. Five (5) years of formal management/supervisory experience. Demonstrated experience creating comprehensive health, retirement, perks and wellness programs. Experience with HRIS platforms, open enrollment management, vendor negotiations, and metrics reporting. Experience navigating ADA interactive processes, medical documentation assessment, and disability/FMLA program structures. Certified Benefits Professional, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR designation (preferred). Benefits summary Competitive compensation Low-cost medical, dental, and vision benefits and paid life insurance premiums with no probationary period. OUC’s Hybrid Retirement Program includes a fully-funded cash balance account, defined contribution with employer matching along with a health reimbursement account Generous paid vacation, holidays, and sick time Paid parental leave Educational Assistance Program, including tuition reimbursement, paid memberships in professional associations, paid conference and training opportunities Wellness incentives and free access to all on-site OUC fitness facilities Access to family-oriented recreational areas Paid Conference and Training Opportunities Hybrid work schedule Other Salary Range: $124,000.00 - $155,000.00 annually - commensurate with experience LOCATION: Reliable 100 W. Anderson St. Orlando, FL 32801 Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. This organization does not offer or sponsor employment visas for internship or full-time positions. Job Purpose: The Manager, Benefits & Wellness will develop and implement strategies and plan design for employee benefits and wellness programs and ensure processes and procedures are aligned with organizational objectives and legal compliance. This role partners with the Employee Experience Team, department leaders, brokers, and carriers to assess program effectiveness. Benchmark against industry best practices and deliver competitive rewards that attract and retain top talent. Additionally, the Manager leads and develops a team to provide exceptional counsel and support to employees and retirees. Primary Functions: Strategic Leadership Build a comprehensive strategic roadmap for the Benefits and Wellness department. Establish long-term departmental goals that align business needs and strategy. Evaluate external market offerings regularly to maintain a highly competitive market position. Collaborate with Employee Experience leadership on complex plan designs and modifications. Benefits Programs Formulate and implement a comprehensive benefits strategy that balances cost-effectiveness with workforce and retiree needs. Conduct market research and benchmarking to evaluate plan effectiveness and competitiveness. Propose new or revised benefit plan design to meet evolving organizational needs. Balance traditional health offerings with progressive initiatives, to build a streamlined benefits portfolio that appeals to a multi-generational workforce. Host targeted events and workshops to build deep employee understanding of offerings, eligibility, enrollment processes, and changes to maximize benefits program utilization. Wellness Design and execute evidence-based wellness initiatives addressing preventive care, mental health, chronic disease management, and lifestyle modification. Formulate strategic recommendations that balance cost-containment measures with high-impact employee wellness experiences. Analyze actuarial and claims data for demographic risk factors to build progressive wellness initiatives, mental health support, and targeted preventive health interventions. Partner with marketing and external partners to deliver engaging wellness campaigns across the organization to enhance health outcomes. Retirement Direct the end-to-end administration, respond to audits, regulatory compliance, and fiscal health of complex Defined Benefit (traditional pension), Defined Contribution (401a/457b), and hybrid Cash Balance plans. Partner with external actuaries, trustees, and investment committees to oversee plan valuations, monitor compliance testing, and evaluate funding levels. Lead the design and execution of comprehensive financial education workshops, communication strategies, and tools to boost employee enrollment and plan understanding to enhance employee financial health. Leave & Accommodations Oversee the comprehensive management of Short-Term Disability (STD), Long-Term Disability (LTD), Family Medical Leave (FML), and specialized time-off programs. Facilitate formal accommodation requests by objectively evaluating medical documentation to determine appropriate, sustainable workplace solutions. Partner with Employee Relations, Risk Management and department leaders to assess operational impacts, manage leave extensions, and coordinate seamless transitional light-duty assignments. Systems and Analytics Leverage HRIS tools to manage administrative workflows, ensure data transmission accuracy, and drive the seamless execution of annual open enrollment cycles. Monitor and audit carrier billing statements, monitor payroll deductions, and analyze health insurance claims trends to isolate cost-saving opportunities. Maximize departmental efficiency by monitoring service response times and employee satisfaction while maintaining audit-ready metrics and records to satisfy regulatory compliance. Develop regular data-driven dashboards, productivity metrics, and high-level reports to provide senior leadership with clear, actionable insights for long-term strategic decision-making. EOE M/F/Vets/Disabled Note: This description contains essential job duties and responsibilities and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of tasks. OUC reserves the right to revise job duties as needed. #J-18808-Ljbffr Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC - The Reliable One)