Benefits Manager

1 Inventa Place Silver Spring, MD 20910

Kids Are Our Everything.

Department
10039 Total Rewards and Wellness Pay Range$ - $

About the Role:

The Benefits Manager is responsible for the strategic design, administration and continuous improvement of the organization’s benefit programs. This role ensures these programs are competitive, compliant, employee-centered and aligned with organizational goals that enhance attraction, retention, engagement and overall workforce well-being. The position oversees the full lifecycle of benefits administration, including health and welfare plans, retirement programs, leave and vendor management.

This role partners closely with HR leadership, payroll, legal, finance, management and external vendors to ensure seamless integration of benefits and leave processes across the organization. The Benefits Manager also plays a key role in process optimization, system implementation and integration efforts, data analysis, and guides the development of communication and education strategies to improve understanding and utilization of benefits resources.

What You'll Bring:

Minimum Education Bachelor's Degree Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Human Resources, Business, Information Systems or related area of study required. (Required)
Master's Degree (Preferred)
Minimum Work Experience5 years of progressive compensation and benefits experience and at least 3 years of which includes leading teams. (Required)
Required Skills/Knowledge Strong knowledge of multi state leave laws and a demonstrated understanding of state and local leave requirements with the ability to interpret, apply and operationalize evolving legislation across a multi state workforce.

Superior analytical, quantitative analysis and project management skills

Excellent problem-solving skills and continuous process improvement orientation

Excellent planning, time management, written and verbal communication skills, decision-making, presentation, organization and interpersonal skills

Must possess the ability to establish, develop and maintain relationships with all employee levels

Ability to establish and manage client relationships

Ability to lead a team of 3+ individuals to deliver results

Ability to adapt to different communication styles

Expertise in reward technology platforms, managing the vendor and ensuring users are leveraging the technology to the fullest extent possible

Advanced negotiation skills to enable optimal vendor selection with favorable terms to meet organizational needs

Proficiency in MS Excel, (pivot tables, vlook-ups, etc.)Benefits Strategy, Systems & Administration Design, implement and manage comprehensive benefits programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, leave and disability, and retirement plans.

Oversee leave administration programs including (but not limited to), paid family and medical leave programs, FMLA, short- & long-term disability and ensure consistent application and interpretation of policies, practices, and regulatory requirements across the organization. Ensures accurate coordination between leave administration, payroll, timekeeping and benefits continuation processes.

Evaluate plan effectiveness, utilization, and cost trends; recommend enhancements aligned with workforce needs.

Leads annual open enrollment, including planning, vendor coordination, systems readiness, testing, communication strategy and execution.

Partner with stakeholders such as HRIS, IT, Payroll, etc. to ensure accurate configuration and integration of benefit programs within HR systems and timekeeping platforms.

Support system implementations, upgrades, testing, and process redesign initiatives impacting benefits and leave administration.

Work closely with brokers, vendors, and internal stakeholders to optimize plan offerings and cost efficiency.

Compliance & Risk Management Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations (e.g. FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, ERISA, COBRA)
Maintain plan documents, SPDs, and required filings.

Partner with Legal and HR leadership to mitigate risk and ensure policy alignment.

Team & Vendor Management Provides leadership, coaching, and…