The Benefits Manager is responsible for leading the administration and operational execution of the company's employee benefits programs, ensuring accurate, efficient, compliant, and timely service delivery. This position oversees the Benefits Administration team, establishes operational priorities, and ensures effective management of benefits processes, vendor relationships, financial reconciliations, and administrative controls.
The Benefits Manager partners closely with HR Services, HRIS, Payroll, Finance, and external vendors to resolve complex issues, improve processes, and ensure a positive associate experience. This role also supports the Director of Benefits in implementing benefits strategies, program changes, and initiatives while maintaining a strong focus on operational excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Where you’ll work:
Key Responsibilities
Benefits Administration & Operations
- Lead and oversee the day-to-day administration of employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement, and other company-sponsored benefits.
- Establish operational priorities, processes, and performance expectations to ensure accurate, timely, and consistent benefits administration.
- Oversee benefits enrollment, eligibility administration, qualifying life events, annual enrollment, and other ongoing administrative activities.
- Ensure effective processes are in place to manage and resolve complex benefits administration issues escalated from HR Services.
- Partner with HR Services, HRIS, Payroll, and other stakeholders to ensure coordinated service delivery and clear accountability for benefits-related activities.
- Monitor benefits administration performance, identify recurring issues, and implement corrective actions to improve accuracy and efficiency.
- Support the implementation of new benefits programs, plan changes, and organizational initiatives, ensuring operational readiness and effective execution.
Vendor Management & Service Delivery
- Oversee the operational performance of benefits vendors and third-party administrators, ensuring adherence to service expectations and administrative requirements.
- Manage vendor relationships related to day-to-day benefits administration, including issue escalation, service delivery, and process coordination.
- Monitor recurring vendor issues, identify opportunities for improvement, and ensure timely resolution of administrative concerns.
- Partner with the Director of Benefits and external consultants on vendor performance reviews, implementations, and program changes.
- Ensure effective coordination between internal teams and external vendors to maintain accurate eligibility, enrollment, billing, and other benefits records.
Financial Administration, Reconciliation & Controls
- Oversee benefits invoice reconciliation, payment coordination, and financial administration processes to ensure accuracy and timely execution.
- Establish and monitor controls for validating benefits billing, enrollment records, payroll deductions, and related financial transactions.
- Review significant discrepancies, recurring variances, and reconciliation findings, ensuring appropriate investigation and resolution.
- Partner with Finance and Payroll to resolve financial discrepancies and strengthen administrative controls.
- Monitor benefits administration expenditures and identify opportunities to improve financial accuracy and operational efficiency.
- Ensure appropriate documentation, approvals, and audit trails are maintained for benefits-related financial activities.
Workday Benefits Administration & Process Improvement
- Oversee the effective use of Workday Benefits to support accurate and efficient benefits administration.
- Partner with HRIS to identify system issues, establish business requirements, prioritize enhancements, and support testing and implementation of benefits-related changes.
- Ensure benefits processes, Workday job aids, and administrative procedures are documented, maintained, and communicated appropriately.
- Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, reduce manual processes, and improve data accuracy and operational effectiveness.
- Utilize benefits reporting and operational metrics to monitor performance, identify trends, and support decision-making.
- Lead the implementation of process improvements within the Benefits Administration function.
Compliance & Audit Oversight
- Oversee benefits administration processes to support compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, plan documents, and company policies.
- Ensure appropriate controls and procedures are maintained to support compliance with ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, and other applicable benefits requirements.
- Oversee routine benefits administration audits, including eligibility, enrollment, payroll deductions, and vendor billing.
- Ensure audit findings and administrative discrepancies are investigated, documented, and resolved in a timely manner.
- Partner with the Director of Benefits, Legal, and other stakeholders on compliance matters, regulatory changes, and corrective actions.
- Support internal and external audits, regulatory reporting, and compliance-related initiatives.
Benefits Strategy & Program Implementation
- Support the Director of Benefits in implementing benefits strategies, plan changes, and organizational initiatives.
- Provide operational insights and recommendations regarding administrative feasibility, process requirements, and potential implementation challenges.
- Coordinate operational readiness for annual enrollment, new programs, vendor transitions, and other benefits initiatives.
- Partner with internal stakeholders to ensure benefits communications, procedures, systems, and administrative resources are prepared for program changes.
- Identify opportunities to improve the associate experience while maintaining administrative efficiency and financial responsibility.
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, coach, and develop assigned Benefits Administration team members, establishing clear responsibilities, priorities, and performance expectations.
- Provide guidance and oversight to team members in resolving complex benefits administration issues and managing operational responsibilities.
- Ensure appropriate workload distribution, cross-training, and documentation to support consistent service delivery and business continuity.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and responsive service.
- Evaluate team performance, identify development opportunities, and provide ongoing coaching and feedback.
- Serve as the primary point of escalation for complex operational matters requiring management intervention.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
- 7+ years of progressive experience in employee benefits administration or benefits operations, including experience leading teams or managing administrative functions.
- Comprehensive knowledge of health, welfare, retirement, and other employee benefits programs.
- Demonstrated experience overseeing benefits administration processes, including enrollment, eligibility, vendor management, and issue resolution.
- Experience managing benefits invoice reconciliation, financial controls, and payroll deduction processes.
- Strong working knowledge of benefits administration systems, preferably Workday Benefits.
- Experience working with HR shared services, HRIS, Payroll, Finance, and external benefits vendors.
- Working knowledge of applicable benefits regulations, including ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, and ACA.
- Strong leadership, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across functions and organizational levels.
- Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, lead process improvements, and ensure operational accountability.
Preferred
- Experience leading benefits administration in a large, multi-location organization.
- Experience managing benefits operations within an HR shared services or tiered service delivery model.
- Hands-on experience with Workday Benefits, including reporting, transaction research, and process improvements.
- Experience supporting benefits administration during mergers, acquisitions, or organizational integrations.
- Experience managing third-party administrators and benefits vendor relationships.
- Professional certification such as CEBS, CBP, PHR, or SPHR.
Key Competencies
- Operational Leadership: Effectively manages benefits administration functions, establishes priorities, and ensures consistent, accurate service delivery.
- People Management: Develops and supports team members while fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Analytical Problem Solving: Evaluates complex issues, identifies root causes, and implements practical solutions.
- Financial Acumen: Understands benefits financial processes, reconciliations, and controls, ensuring accuracy and appropriate oversight.
- Process Improvement: Identifies opportunities to improve efficiency, strengthen controls, and enhance service delivery.
- Vendor Management: Maintains effective vendor relationships and holds service providers accountable for operational performance.
- Collaboration: Builds strong partnerships across HR Services, HRIS, Payroll, Finance, and other internal functions.
- Compliance & Risk Management: Maintains appropriate administrative controls and supports adherence to applicable benefits regulations and company policies.
Not the right job for you? Register your details at the 'Introduce Yourself' link (top right) and we'll be in touch!Job Location: SRS Distribution - McKinney7440 State Highway 121 McKinney, TX 75070-3104
As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer SRS Distribution Inc., including all its subsidiaries, provides job opportunities to qualified individuals without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, citizenship status, uniform service, veteran status, marital status, genetic information, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local EEO laws.
If you are an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require a reasonable accommodation in applying for any posted position, please contact Human Resources at US: 855.556.3221, or by email to: HR@Help.SRSDistribution.com with the nature of your accommodation request and include the Business name, location and title of the job opening. Please allow one (1) business day for a reply.
All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of a background check and drug screen, as permitted by law.
Competitive weekly/bi-weekly pay, discretionary bonuses, 401(k) with company match, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, paid time off (vacation, sick, volunteer, holidays, birthday, floating), medical/dental/vision, flexible spending accounts, company-paid life and short-term disability, plus optional long-term disability, and additional life insurance. All benefits subject to eligibility.
Should a Candidate be submitted to fill a position by a recruiting or staffing services agency (“Agency”), the Company has no obligation to pay the Agency any fee for submission, offer, placement or any service without a fully executed contract of service covering the engagement.
