Benefits Manager

LHH Recruitment Solutions is partnering with an organization in Johnson County, KS. We are seeking a Benefits Manager to lead the design, administration, and optimization of comprehensive U.S. benefits programs serving a large, multi-site employee population. This role is critical, and requires a hands‑on leader who can build trust, quickly establish credibility, and deliver immediate impact
. This is a working manager role
, ideal for someone who is both strategic and highly operational—comfortable getting into the details while leading a team and driving key initiatives forward.

• Oversee all health & welfare, retirement, and leave programs for a large U.S. employee population (4,000+ employees, plus retirees)
• Ensure seamless execution of benefits administration
  , enrollment, and ongoing support
• Lead the annual open enrollment process
  , including planning, vendor coordination, and execution
• Analyze plan performance, utilization, and cost trends; recommend enhancements to leadership
• Support and partner on total rewards strategy initiatives
• Manage administration of 401(k), pension, and non‑qualified deferred compensation plans
• Support governance, compliance, and documentation for retirement plans
• Serve as a key resource for complex retiree benefit programs and inquiries
• Lead relationships with brokers, vendors, and third‑party administrators
• Drive upcoming RFP processes and vendor transitions (including consolidation to a single provider)
• Negotiate contracts and monitor vendor performance to ensure service levels and cost effectiveness

• Support union negotiations related to benefits programs and ensure alignment with collective bargaining agreements
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA
  , and related filings (e.g., 5500, 1095)
• Manage audits, nondiscrimination testing, and regulatory reporting

• Partner with HRIS and payroll teams to ensure accurate benefits data and integrations
• Utilize systems such as Workday, UKG
  , and benefits administration platforms to manage processes and reporting
• Develop and present benefits analytics and reporting to senior leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 4 (benefits and HRIS professionals)
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Serve as a trusted advisor to employees, leadership, and cross‑functional partners

• High‑impact backfill: Opportunity to rebuild trust and elevate the benefits function
• Hands‑on leadership: True working manager role—not purely strategic
• Transformation work: Vendor consolidation, RFPs, and process improvements underway
• Cross‑functional visibility: Frequent interaction with senior leadership and finance

• 8+ years of experience in benefits administration (health & welfare and retirement plans)
• Proven experience managing vendors, brokers, and benefit programs end‑to‑end
• Hands‑on experience with:
• Regulatory compliance and filings (5500, 1095, etc.)
• Benefits audits and reporting
• Experience supporting union environments / collective bargaining agreements
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to operate both strategically and in the weeds

• Experience with pension plan administration
• Prior leadership experience managing and developing a team
• Experience with system environments (Workday strongly preferred)
• Background in multi‑site or manufacturing environments

• Strong culture fit and relationship builder with the ability to rebuild trust quickly
• Highly hands‑on, detail‑oriented leader who is comfortable diving deep into issues
• Proven ability to hit the ground running in a complex environment
• Skilled communicator who can translate complex benefits topics for diverse audiences
• Collaborative partner with a bias for action and accountability