Senior Manager

What Success Looks Like (Objectives):

• Program Leadership: Direct the overall design, strategy, communication, and ongoing administration of health and welfare plans, retirement programs, and leave policies.
• Competitive Analysis: Continuously evaluate current benefit offerings against peer organizations and industry trends to ensure market competitiveness, value, and cost-effectiveness.
• Data & Analytics: Compile, analyze, and present advanced benefit data reports, cost projections, and plan performance metrics for leadership and regulatory bodies.

• Open Enrollment Management: Lead annual Open Enrollment projects end-to-end—managing timelines, task delegation, documentation, and targeted employee communication campaigns.
• Renewals & Vendor Oversight: Oversee plan renewals, negotiate terms, and manage strategic relationships with insurance carriers, brokers, and third‑party administrators (TPAs) to ensure high service quality and optimal ROI.

• Regulatory Compliance: Maintain rigorous adherence to federal, state, and local regulations, including FMLA, ADA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, and ERISA.
• Plan Governance: Author, review, and update Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs), plan documents, and internal HR policies to ensure compliance and administrative accuracy.

• Cross‑Functional Influence: Collaborate with and advise HR business partners, legal teams, and business units to drive process improvements and resolve complex benefit inquiries.
• Team Mentorship: Serve as a functional SME and support lead for direct reports and peers across HR Operations.
• Employee Communication: Develop high‑impact, themed communications and programs to drive employee understanding, engagement, and plan adoption.

Core Skills, Competencies, and Key Experiences (What you’ll bring)

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field strongly preferred.
• Experience:
  • 3–5+ years of specialized Benefits management experience.
  • 5+ years of broad Human Resources experience with demonstrated leadership progression.

• Regulatory Expertise: Deep subject matter expertise in FMLA, ADA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, and retirement plan administration (401k/pension).
• Technical
  
  Skills:
  
  High proficiency in Google Suite (Google Sheets, Docs, Slides), enterprise HRIS platforms, and core administrative applications.

• Leadership & Influence: Proven ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization and guide cross‑functional teams without direct line authority.
• Analytical Thinking: Strong quantitative, analytical, and problem‑solving skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Project & Time Management: Demonstrated track record of managing multi‑faceted, high‑stakes projects autonomously with minimal supervision.
• Communication: Superior verbal, written, presentation, and facilitation skills suited for all employee audiences, including executives.

Compensation: $/Year - $/Year

The Senior Manager, Benefits drives the strategic vision, design, execution, and continuous optimization of Echo Star’s health, welfare, time‑off, and retirement programs. Partnering closely with HR Centers of Excellence, Business Partners, and executive leadership, this role addresses complex benefit challenges and shapes policies that align with overall business objectives and employee needs.

As a primary Subject Matter Expert (SME), the Senior Manager leads cross‑functional initiatives, oversees critical vendor partnerships, enforces strict regulatory compliance, and…