Assistant Benefits Manager

Freddie Mac; United States; Remote; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company seeks an Assistant Benefits Manager responsible for managing competitive benefits strategies for a diverse team. This role involves administering benefits across North America and ensuring compliance while supporting M&A processes, offering a dynamic work environment with growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience as a Benefits Specialist or Analyst.
• Extensive knowledge of benefits programs and regulations.
• Experience with 401(k) and benefit plan management.

Responsibilities

• Administer health and welfare benefits for North America.
• Assist with M&A due diligence and integration.
• Manage vendor relationships and third-party issues.

Skills

Analytical skills

Decision-making skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, or a related field

CEBS or CBP certification

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Advanced Excel

HRIS system (UKG Pro or similar)

Job description

Job Summary:

The Assistant Benefits Manager is the subject matter expert responsible for delivering competitive and equitable benefits strategies for our diverse and growing team. They will serve as a key Total Rewards stakeholder in the integration of new team members joining Salas O'Brien through mergers and acquisitions. They will also spearhead our North America benefits programs, ensuring that we continue to attract, support, and retain the best talent in our industry. Joining a fast-paced, dynamic, and respected firm on a dramatic growth path, the Assistant Benefits Manager will have the opportunity to develop broad strategies with a direct impact on our future success.

In this role, you will:

• Administer the health and welfare benefits programs across North America (US and Canada) including health, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, spending accounts, voluntary benefits, wellness, COBRA, and retirement plan in compliance with plan documents in a dynamic environment with a focus on growth.
• Assist with in-depth due diligence during the M&A process related to benefits packages, including benefit compliance and gap analysis.
• Contribute to the M&A integration process from a benefits perspective, serving as a point of contact between outside business entities, benefit brokers, and internal stakeholders to support and expedite the onboarding of new team members and the transition of their benefit and retirement plans.
• Develop internal audits to ensure data integrity and standard processes focused on growth as business needs change.
• Conduct ongoing research and analysis to keep current on any trends along with financial modeling on benefit plans as needed.
• Contribute to both the annual 401(k) audit and Open Enrollment.
• Update benefit communications, monthly benefit newsletter, along with our internal benefit website on a regular basis.
• Manage third-party benefits vendor relationships, including the resolution of escalated benefits-related issues as they arise.
• Analyze information and resolves issues by collaborating with payroll, finance, and the HR Operations team.
• Help manage the annual benefit renewals with carriers for both US and Canada.
• Assist with the management of our 401(k) and RRSP retirement plans.
• Address discrepencies between carrier feeds and our HRIS regularly.
• Ensures benefit and retirement plan compliance such as ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, FMLA, and other regulations.

You will be a great fit if:

• You have an ownership mindset and can switch between precise problem solving with exceptional attention to detail and big-picture strategizing that embraces your own unique perspective.
• You have high energy, high empathy, and enjoy solution-oriented problem-solving while in a dynamic and growing environment.
• You are comfortable navigating ambiguity and can manage day to day responsibilities while building for the future.
• You approach work as a self-directed project manager, able to prioritize and complete work on time without active supervision while still knowing when to ask for help.
• You are a genuine collaborator, an empathetic listener, and an excellent decision-maker with sound judgment.
• You can build rapport with stakeholders across all functions and levels of seniority, establishing yourself as a go-to business partner and trusted advisor.

Skills/abilities:

Required:

• A minimum of 5 years' experience as a Benefits Specialist, Benefits Analyst, or in a related role
• Experience with 401(k) and benefit plan management including self-insured plans
• Ability to navigate a dynamic environment focused on growth rather than maintenance
• Ability to manipulate large data sets in complex ways to analyze and convey findings
• Ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to influence and manage change within a virtual environment
• Collaborative interpersonal skills
• Exceptional analytical and decision-making skills
• Extensive knowledge of benefits programs, including state and federal legislation
• Superior verbal and written communication
• Extremely proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; Advanced Excel skills a must

Desired:

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• CEBS or CBP certification
• Experience with Canadian benefits plans and RRSP is helpful
• Experience with M&A activity
• Experience with UKG Pro or similar HRIS system

Location: United States, Remote

Travel: Limited travel is required

Compensation: $90,000-$110,000

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Salas O'Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. Salas O'Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.

#LI-REMOTE

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.