Benefits Manager

Our client is located in Central Houston and is looking to add a Benefits Manager to their team on a direct basis. The Benefits Manager maintains compensation and income-security programs by evaluating, recommending, and administering benefit programs. Must be local to Houston.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the ongoing benefits administration activity, vendors, regulatory and legal compliance efforts, and process improvement efforts for the administration and design of all benefit plans.
• Responsible for day-to-day benefits administration for US and Canada.
• Lead a team of 2 Benefits Analysts.
• Reviews and responds to emails timely from general email box as applicable.
• Liaise with carriers, vendors, brokers, and consultants for assistance and respond to requests as applicable.
• Assist with Leave of Absence Process US and Canada as applicable.
• Qualifying Life Events review documents provided are complete and acceptable, process updates in HRIS, respond to the employee and update carriers if urgent need as applicable.
• Completing benefits enrollment in HRIS system for Canadian employees and providing completed forms to appropriate carrier and payroll as applicable.
• Overage dependent notification for US and Canada benefits review and process monthly as applicable.
• Recommends benefits programs to management by studying employee requirements and trends and developments in benefits offered by other organizations.
• Supports management's decision making by analyzing benefit options and predicting future costs.
• Identifies benefit options by studying programs; obtaining advice from consultants.
• Complies with federal, state, and local legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation; obtaining qualified opinions; enforcing adherence to requirements; advising management on needed actions.
• Informs employees of benefit usage by preparing and distributing benefit reports.
• Maintains benefit records by developing recordkeeping systems; initiating new-hire benefits; recording changes.
• Resolves employee questions and problems by interpreting benefit policies and procedures.
• Expedites delivery of benefits by establishing and maintaining working relationships with benefit providers.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree
• Open enrollment
• Vendor management
• Managing Benefits mailbox
• 401k
• Advanced Excel skills a must
• Dealing with large data sets
• Canadian Benefits experience
• Strong management and leadership skills