Benefits Manager

Search Solution Group; Arlington (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Search Solution Group is seeking a Benefits Manager to oversee strategy, administration, and compliance of the company’s benefits programs across the U.S. and Canada.

You will lead health and welfare, retirement, leave, wellness, and time-off programs while managing vendors and ensuring regulatory compliance. The ideal candidate will have strong benefits expertise, analytical skills, and leadership capabilities to drive improvements and effective employee communications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business Administration, Communications, or related field.
• Master's degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• 3–5 years of Benefits/Total Rewards experience.
• 2–4 years of leadership experience in Benefits or HR teams.
• Experience across US and Canada benefits programs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee benefits administration across the U.S. and Canada.
• Lead annual open enrollment and vendor coordination.
• Maintain benefits data in HRIS and provider systems.
• Monitor plan performance, costs, and trends; report to leadership.
• Develop clear benefits communications and training materials.

Skills

Benefits program administration

Regulatory compliance

Vendor management

Data analysis

Communication skills

Leadership

Project management

Policy development

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR / Business / related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

HRIS

Benefits administration systems

Reporting tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Overview

Search Solution Group is seeking a Benefits Manager on behalf of our client, an entertainment industry company. The Benefits Manager will oversee the strategy, administration, compliance, and ongoing improvement of the company's benefits programs across the U.S. and Canada. This role will lead health and welfare, retirement, leave, wellness, and time-off programs while managing vendors, supporting open enrollment, ensuring regulatory compliance, and providing guidance to employees and leadership. The ideal candidate will combine strong benefits expertise with analytical, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills to deliver an effective and engaging benefits experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate benefit offerings, market trends, benchmark data, and regulatory developments to recommend plan improvements.
• Advise leadership on benefit plan design, compliance requirements, market trends, costs, and program changes.
• Oversee day-to-day administration of health, welfare, retirement, leave, wellness, holiday, time-off, and related benefit programs across the U.S. and Canada.
• Lead the annual open enrollment process, including planning, communications, vendor coordination, presentations, training, issue resolution, and post-enrollment follow-up.
• Maintain accurate benefits data across HRIS, benefits administration systems, vendors, and internal processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve benefits administration through automation and cost-effective, sustainable solutions.
• Oversee benefits billing, enrollment, eligibility, employee changes, claims escalations, and plan interpretation.
• Support new-hire and newly eligible employee benefits orientations and enrollment guidance.
• Maintain the benefits communication calendar and coordinate employee communications and educational materials.
• Manage relationships with benefits vendors, third-party administrators, brokers, carriers, and service providers.
• Conduct vendor performance reviews, manage escalations, support negotiations, and resolve service issues.
• Monitor plan performance, utilization, costs, and trends and provide actionable recommendations to leadership.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local benefits regulations.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes and recommend updates to benefits programs, policies, communications, and procedures.
• Maintain audit-ready documentation and support benefits-related audits and regulatory reporting.
• Prepare standard and ad hoc reports related to benefits utilization, costs, trends, and program effectiveness.
• Lead, coach, and develop members of the Corporate Benefits team.
• Establish clear processes, service standards, goals, and accountability measures for the benefits function.
• Provide guidance and escalation support on complex benefits issues.
• Develop clear benefits communications, including open enrollment materials, policies, guides, presentations, handbooks, and digital resources.
• Partner with HR and internal stakeholders to improve employee understanding, enrollment, utilization, and overall benefits experience.
• Respond to employee inquiries and resolve complex issues involving claims, eligibility, leave, plan interpretation, and status changes.
• Manage multiple priorities, deadlines, compliance requirements, vendors, and annual benefits cycles.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field required, or equivalent relevant education and experience.
• Master's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.

Experience

• 3–5 years of relevant Benefits, Human Resources, or Total Rewards experience.
• Experience with benefits administration, plan design, and regulatory compliance.
• 2–4 years of leadership experience managing Benefits or HR team members.
• Experience administering health and welfare, retirement/401(k), leave, wellness, and time-off programs.
• Experience managing open enrollment programs and employee benefits communications.
• Experience managing benefits vendors, brokers, carriers, and third-party administrators.
• Experience supporting benefits across multiple states required.
• U.S. and Canada benefits administration experience preferred.
• Experience with reporting, analytics, audits, and compliance processes.
• Experience with remote and geographically distributed teams preferred.

Skills

• Strong benefits program administration and management skills.
• Strong knowledge of benefits compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Advanced analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Ability to interpret benefits data, identify trends, and develop actionable recommendations.
• Strong vendor and contract management skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Strong employee communication and customer service skills.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development capabilities.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
• Strong attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Proficiency with HRIS, benefits administration systems, reporting tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment and discretion.

Certifications

• Professional certification such as CEBS, PHR, SHRM-CP, or Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) preferred.
• Relevant benefits or HR certifications are a plus.

Knowledge

• Health and welfare benefit programs.
• Retirement and 401(k) plans.
• Leave administration and time‑off programs.
• Wellness programs and employee benefits communications.
• Benefits plan design and administration.
• ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and other applicable benefits regulations.
• 401(k) compliance and audit requirements.
• Benefits vendor and third‑party administrator management.Benefits reporting, analytics, and data integrity.
• HRIS and benefits administration systems.
• U.S. federal and state benefits requirements.
• Canadian benefits administration and regulatory requirements preferred.
• Benefits benchmarking and market trends.
• Employee engagement and benefits education practices.

Key Competencies

• Benefits Expertise
• Strategic Thinking
• Leadership and Team Development
• Analytical Thinking
• Problem Solving
• Compliance and Risk Management
• Vendor Management
• Project Management
• Communication and Presentation
• Employee Relations
• Attention to Detail
• Organization and Time Management
• Sound Judgment
• Confidentiality and Discretion
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Customer Service Orientation
• Accountability
• Adaptability
• Continuous Improvement
• Data-Driven Decision Making

Company Overview

Company Industry: Entertainment
Location: Arlington, TX

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Search Solution Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where diversity is valued and respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status in our hiring process or employment practices. We believe that a diverse workforce brings unique perspectives and strengths, driving innovation and growth. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds to apply and contribute to our team.

Disclaimer

Please note that the job description provided is not exhaustive and is subject to change. Additional duties may be assigned as needed to meet the evolving needs of the organization and to ensure the successful completion of projects and objectives.