Benefits Manager

Complete Building Services; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental & vision insurance

Disability insurance (short/long-term)

401(k) with company match

Commuter benefits & FSAs

Employee assistance program (EAP)

Paid leave & holidays

Job summary

The Donohoe Companies, including Complete Building Services, seeks a seasoned Benefits Manager to administer and support a comprehensive benefits program across corporate offices, construction and facilities sites, hotels, and properties.

You will collaborate with brokers, carriers, and payroll to keep programs compliant, deliver open enrollment, and provide expert guidance to employees and managers. This onsite role features a competitive salary and robust benefits package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field—or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in benefits or HR, including leadership responsibilities.
• Deep knowledge of benefits administration, compliance, and industry best practices.
• Advanced proficiency in HRIS platforms and expert‑level Excel skills.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into actionable strategy.
• Exceptional communication skills with a customer‑focused, approachable style.
• High level of discretion, confidentiality and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary resource for benefits questions and service experience.
• Administer leave of absence and disability processes with care and accuracy.
• Coordinate open enrollment and communicate benefits updates.
• Manage relationships with brokers, carriers, and vendors.
• Utilize HRIS and Excel reporting to support audits, census data, and invoicing.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, and related rules.
• Support employee engagement with benefits education and outreach.

Skills

Benefits administration

HRIS proficiency

Excel expertise

Data analysis

Communication skills

Discretion & confidentiality

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Business Administration

CEBS/CBP/SHRM-SP/CP certifications (preferred)

Experience in leadership roles

Tools

HRIS platforms

Advanced Excel

Job description

About the Role

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Employee Experience

• Serve as the primary resource for employees’ day-to-day benefits questions, providing clear answers, timely follow-through, and a consistent service experience.
• Act as a trusted resource for employees, managers, and HR partners on benefits policies, processes, and programs.
• Administer leave of absence and disability processes with care, responsiveness, and attention to detail.
• Support employee engagement through clear communications, benefits education, and outreach initiatives.

Benefits Administration

• Administer employee benefits programs including medical, dental, vision, FSA/HSA, life insurance, disability, 401(k), wellness, EAP, and commuter benefits.
• Process enrollments, changes, terminations, payroll deductions, and vendor file transmissions accurately and on time.
• Serve as the day-to-day liaison with brokers, insurance carriers, retirement vendors, and third-party administrators.
• Coordinate the annual open enrollment process, including employee communications, system updates, and hands‑on support.
• Coordinate 401(k) advisory committee meetings and work with vendors and auditors.

Compliance & Reporting

• Manage compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, and related regulations; share relevant updates with the HR team and management.
• Respond to audits and complete non-discrimination testing, Form 5500 filings, and the annual 1095 reporting process.
• Maintain accurate benefits records, policies, procedures, and documentation.

Operations & Analytics

• Utilize HRIS platforms and advanced Excel reporting to execute invoicing, audits, census reporting, and benefits administration.
• Track benefits utilization, costs, and trends; bring observations and practical recommendations to the VP of HR.
• Keep internal platforms current; collaborate with the Communications Director and Benefits broker to produce open enrollment materials, benefits guides, and employee-facing resources.

You Should Have

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field—or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in benefits or HR, including leadership responsibilities
• Deep knowledge of benefits administration, compliance, and industry best practices
• Advanced proficiency in HRIS platforms and expert‑level Excel skills
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into actionable strategy
• Exceptional communication skills with a customer‑focused, approachable style
• High level of discretion, confidentiality and professionalism

Preferred:

• CEBS, CBP, SHRM‑SCP/CP, SPHR/PHR certifications
• Experience in construction, real estate, facilities, healthcare, or hospitality environments
• Bilingual (Spanish) skills

This is a highly visible, onsite role that requires regular interaction with employees and stakeholders across multiple locations. Occasional travel to offices, job sites, and properties is expected. The role involves a mix of detailed execution, forward‑thinking ideas and strategic planning in a fast‑paced environment with competing priorities. Strong organizational skills, adaptability, and responsiveness are essential.

Why You’ll Love Working With Us

Who We Are

Established in 1884, The Donohoe Companies is the Washington, DC region’s oldest full‑service real estate company. Over the past 140 years, Donohoe has grown into one of the largest real estate companies in the area, encompassing over 1,500 employees across six divisions: Donohoe Construction Company, Donohoe Commercial Real Estate, Complete Building Services, Donohoe Hospitality Services, Donohoe Development Company, and Borger Residential.

For over a century, Donohoe has been a well‑respected member of the community and we continue to engage in the communities where we live and work. In our hotels, offices, Residential/Commercial properties, and on Company jobsites, we pride ourselves on a collaborative, diverse and engaging culture which starts with our interview process and continues all the way through to your day‑to‑day.

We offer full‑time employees a comprehensive benefits package, including: health, dental and vision insurance; short‑ and long‑term disability; life insurance; optional life, long‑term care, accidental and critical illness insurance; employee assistance program (EAP) and mental health benefit; bereavement, jury duty and other paid and unpaid leaves of absences; vacation and sick time; holidays; 401(k) with a company‑match; commuter benefits and Flexible Spending Accounts.

In our Corporate Office, you can look forward to complimentary coffee/tea/cold brew, employee engagement events, convenient lunch options, the fan‑favorite Bagel Fridays and more!

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking a knowledgeable and hands‑on Benefits Manager to administer and support a comprehensive benefits program for a diverse workforce spanning corporate offices, construction and facilities job sites, hotels, and commercial and residential properties — working closely with HR colleagues, brokers, carriers, vendors, and payroll to keep programs running accurately and compliantly every day.

The ideal candidate is detail‑oriented, service‑focused, and experienced in managing the day‑to‑day operations of employee benefits programs while providing excellent support to employees, managers, and HR partners. This position plays an important role in ensuring our programs run smoothly, remain compliant, and continue to meet the needs of our workforce.

Why This Role Matters

This isn’t just about administering benefits—it’s about shaping how employees experience support, security, and well‑being at work. You’ll play a critical role in attracting and retaining talent while building programs that truly make a difference.

Come join us to experience all the reasons why we were voted one of The Washington Business Journal’s Best Places to Work!

Annual Salary: $90,000 - $100,000