Sr. Manager

Join the LKQ Family! We're looking for motivated individuals to join our team at LKQ Corporation. With opportunities for growth, competitive benefits, and a supportive work environment, LKQ is the place to be.

The Senior Benefits Manager is expected to have a deep understanding of employee benefits regulations, a strong background in benefits management, and the ability to analyze data to drive improvements in benefits programs.

• Responsible for managing benefits administration, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations, and effectively communicating benefits options to employees.
• Additionally, this role involves vendor management, cost control, data analysis, and regular reporting to senior management to inform strategic decision-making.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive benefits strategy that aligns with the company's goals and objectives.
• Stay updated on industry trends and best practices to continuously improve the benefits offerings.
• Oversee the day-to-day administration of employee benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, wellness programs, leave of absence administration, and other fringe benefits.
• Ensure accurate and timely processing of benefit enrollments, changes, and terminations.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to employee benefits.
• Ensure the company's benefits programs comply with all legal requirements and reporting obligations.
• Ensure compliance with all Federal and State Leave of Absence laws as well as internal practices.
• Ensures status changes and offers/revocation of coverage are consistent with company policy and ACA requirements.
• Responsible for ensuring 1095-c reporting is accurate and produced timely.
• Manage relationships with benefit providers, including insurance carriers, brokers, and third-party administrators.
• Negotiate contracts, evaluate vendor performance, and recommend changes when necessary.
• Develop and implement effective communication strategies to educate employees about their benefits options.
• Provide guidance and support to employees regarding benefits-related inquiries and issues.
• Acts as the team lead for the annual Open Enrollment process.
• Develop strategies that align with internal goals and present upcoming strategies to Sr Dir Total Rewards and members of the Executive team.
• Make data-driven recommendations for improvements and adjustments.
• Administer and promote employee assistance programs, such as wellness initiatives, employee discounts, and financial counseling services.
• Generate regular reports on benefits utilization, costs, and trends.
• Present findings to senior management and provide recommendations for strategic decision-making.
• Identifying opportunities for process improvements and implementing best practices to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Assume other duties as assigned.

• Manage the work of others, including planning, assigning, scheduling, and reviewing work, ensuring quality standards.
• Responsible for hiring, terminating, training, developing, reviewing performance, and administering corrective action for staff.

• Education & Experience:
  
  Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• 7+ years of experience in benefits management, with a proven track record of designing and implementing successful benefits programs and leading team members.

• Master’s degree.
• Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS), Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) or Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) certification.

• Strong overall benefit plan knowledge.
• In-depth knowledge of employee benefits regulations and compliance requirements.
• Excellent project management and organizational abilities.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office:
  Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole statistical inference, and forecasting.
• Ability to apply and analyze concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Frequent use of Outlook, Word, Excel, graphics, etc.
• Ability to create, maintain, and incorporate functions into Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, databases, and PowerPoint presentations to support business objectives.
• Frequently communicates complex information across departments and interacts with management.
• Can present, resolve, and address delicate situations.
• Can motivate and persuade others.
• Problems are varied and complex, requiring analysis or interpretation of the situation.
• Problems are solved using knowledge and skills, general precedents, and practices.
• Decisions impact the management and operations within a department or business unit.
• May contribute to business and operational decisions that affect the department.
• Provides and sets goals and priorities for functional areas.
• May make recommendations for department policies, practices, and programs.
• Makes decisions for and/or resolves…