Senior Manager, Employee Benefits

Job Summary
The Senior Manager, Employee Benefits is responsible for the strategic direction, functional administration, service delivery, cost management, reporting, and compliance processes for employer-sponsored insurance and retirement benefit programs, enterprise leave of absence programs, wellness and supplemental benefit programs, and workers' compensation claims administration.

Primary Objectives

• Manage the day-to-day administration, service delivery, participant communication, coordination, information management, and compliance processes for employer-sponsored employee benefit, retirement, wellness, workers' compensation claims, and leave of absence programs.
• Oversee the efficient administration of multiple retirement plans, including defined benefit, defined contribution, and other retirement programs.
• Develop and implement strategies to enhance benefit offerings, improve employee experience, and align programs with organizational goals.
• Drive effective, accountable administrative practices, process controls, and communication protocols to support service delivery, compliance, and cost management.
• Lead, develop, and manage geographically dispersed benefits and retirement plans teams, fostering a culture of service excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning and execution of employer-sponsored employee benefit, retirement, and leave programs for union and non-union employees across multiple locations.
• Manage service delivery, administration, and participant communication to optimize program utilization, employee experience, and return on investment.
• Drive retirement plan and benefit program projects and initiatives including establishment of new plans, plan consolidations, restatements, and amendments.
• Develop and monitor effective processes and relationships with vendors, plan administrators, and service providers including data update and management of plan sponsor websites.
• Recommend, plan, and direct implementation of benefit and wellness programs and processes. Collaborate with appropriate internal teams and vendors to ensure integrated, enterprise-wide support.
• Provide direction and support for retirement plan administration, compliance, and project execution.
• Manage the administration of Leave of Absence and Workers' Compensation claims programs. Provide strategic guidance and operational support to managers and business unit leaders to ensure effective process execution and compliance.
• Conduct regular audits and reviews of processes, documents, tools, and workflows to ensure data integrity, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
• Manage coordination with Payroll for benefit and leave transactions affecting employee wages and taxes, ensuring timely, accurate communication and documentation.
• Champion process enhancements and automation initiatives to improve user experience and optimize HRIS and related technology platforms.
• Deliver consistent, effective, and accurate communication with program participants; develop and oversee production of presentations, notices, correspondence, and program materials.
• Establish and manage internal controls and review processes to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and internal policies.
• Manage vendor relationships to ensure high-quality service delivery and timely resolution of employee issues.
• Lead annual review, negotiations, modeling, and renewal of insurance vendors, coverage, and services.
• Support the Illness & Injury Prevention Program and associated reporting and posting requirements.
• Manage benefit and employee health and safety-related filings, remittances, recordkeeping, reporting, notices, postings, and testing requirements. Monitor regulatory changes and coordinate necessary process updates to maintain compliance.
• Ensure awareness and understanding of plan design elements, eligibility requirements, and interactions with other programs.
• Lead, develop, and manage a geographically dispersed team of retirement and benefits professionals and support staff, emphasizing strategic alignment, service delivery, subject matter expertise, and operational excellence.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or equivalent combination of relevant education and applied experience required

Licenses and Certifications

• CEBS, CBP, PHR, or SPHR/equivalent preferred

Work Experience

• 6+ years' directly-related full-cycle benefits experience in a Human Resources department setting required
• 5+ years' directly-related retirement plan administration experience required
• 4+ years' management level experience with direct responsibility for managing teams and budgets required
• 3+ years' experience with retirement recordkeeping platforms such as Fidelity Investments or similar platforms required
• Experience managing full-cycle open enrollment processes required
• Administration of retirement and benefits programs in multi-employer/union plan environment required
• Experience with administration of benefits programs in multiple states preferred
• Experience working for a benefit/insurance broker preferred

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• In-depth expertise in features and mechanics of a broad variety of employee benefit and retirement programs.
• Strong understanding of ERISA and all applicable requirements, regulations, and federal and state laws relating to employee benefit programs, qualified retirement plans, and leaves of absence.
• Strong leadership skills with the demonstrated ability to motivate others, influence decisions, and lead by example.
• Proficiency in managing and navigating Fidelity's plan sponsor website, including data uploads, reporting tools, and participant communications.
• Proficiency in integrating Fidelity platform data with internal HRIS and payroll systems, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and seamless service delivery.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate and implement best practices and processes.
• Ability to effectively balance the needs of the business with the needs of individual employees and to manage processes to maximize positive outcomes.
• Excellent process and documentation management skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to properly handle confidential and sensitive information and materials with a detailed understanding of applicable privacy and information security regulations.
• Ability to effectively articulate benefit plan options to a wide range of audiences.
• Proficiency with HRIS and/or benefits and leave management software and associated reporting functions.
• Demonstrated intermediate level proficiency with Microsoft Office products including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Familiarity with UKG UltiPro HRIS and/or Plan Source benefit management software preferred.
• Data analysis and reporting skills preferred.

Competencies

• Builds High-Performing Teams Selects, organizes, and motivates colleagues to work together in a committed way to achieve a common mission and ensures a pipeline of talent for the future.
• Delivers Results Rigorously drives self and others to achieve high levels of individual and organization performance.
• Engages & Inspires Others Leads with energy, self-confidence and understanding in ways that motivate colleagues to achieve more than they thought possible.
• Focuses on the Customer & Market Continuously evaluates what is important to the customer/client and develops products or solutions that exceed expectations.
• Makes Sound Business Decisions Makes timely and well-informed decisions that advance critical priorities, capitalize on new opportunities, and resolve problems.
• Partners Across Boundaries Works collaboratively and effectively with colleagues throughout the company toward the common good of The Pasha Group.
• Practices our Values Supports and models The Pasha Way; conduct reflects Excellence, Honesty, Integrity, Innovation and Teamwork.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS, WORK ENVIRONMENT, AND TRAVEL
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Hear and speak with sufficient clarity to understand and engage in telephonic information exchange; hear and understand verbal instructions; give and receive information verbally in person or via communication device - Often
• Walk/travel within office environment, crouch/bend to access floor-level storage - Often
• Use hands/fingers to operate office equipment, type/complete data input, write - Often
• Reach with hands, arms; lift, move and manipulate objects weighing up to 20 pounds - Occasionally
• Sight sufficient to read instructions, documents, and screen-based information - Often
• Use hands/fingers to manipulate and file documents, folders, small objects - Regularly

Working Environment
This role requires work that may involve the following environmental conditions:

• Corporate office environment

Travel
10% Must be able to travel independently to U.S. locations including Hawaii.

Screening Requirements
Background Checks

Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, except as prohibited by law.
The information included in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive or exhaustive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

The salary range listed is based on the geographic zone associated with this role: San Rafael, CA. If you are applying to work from a different location, the salary range may vary to align with the cost of labor and market conditions in that area. For applicants from other zones, we encourage you to reach out to us to confirm the relevant salary range for your specific location. Starting pay will be determined by job-related factors including experience, education, and business needs and may be modified at any time.

Zone 1: $165,000 - $190,000


This job is also eligible for participation in an Incentive Plan with a target payout based on eligible compensation and corporate/individual performance goal attainment.
Annual Incentive Opportunity: 15% of eligible compensation