Benefits Manager

Addison Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision insurance

401K matching

Bonuses

Job summary

Addison Group is seeking an experienced Benefits Manager to oversee U.S. employee benefits programs for a leading professional services organization. You will drive strategy, open enrollment, compliance, vendor relationships, and program optimization.

You will partner with HR leadership to ensure benefits are competitive, compliant, and aligned with business goals, with responsibility for end-to-end benefits administration across multi-state employment.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage the full lifecycle of U.S. benefits programs, including strategy, administration, renewals, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Lead annual open enrollment processes, including planning, communication development, system testing, vendor coordination, and employee support.
• Evaluate, implement, and launch new benefit programs and enhancements.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for brokers, carriers, and third-party vendors, ensuring strong partnerships and service delivery.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations including ERISA, COBRA, ACA, HIPAA, HSA/HDHP requirements, and related governance standards.
• Partner with Payroll, Finance, and HR teams to maintain accurate benefits administration, auditing, reporting, and financial controls.
• Analyze benefits utilization, market trends, and cost drivers to identify opportunities for program enhancements and cost management.
• Develop employee communications, educational materials, and resources that support employee understanding and engagement.
• Serve as an expert resource for complex employee benefits questions and escalations.
• Build and maintain a long-term benefits roadmap aligned with organizational goals and workforce needs.
• Continuously improve processes, workflows, and administrative procedures to increase efficiency and eliminate recurring issues.

Job description

Our client, a leading professional services organization, is seeking an experienced Benefits Manager to oversee and continuously enhance its U.S. employee benefits programs. This is a highly visible role responsible for managing the full lifecycle of benefits administration, including strategy development, renewals, open enrollment, compliance, vendor management, employee education, and program optimization.

The ideal candidate is proactive, solutions-oriented, and passionate about improving processes and employee experiences. This individual will serve as the primary benefits subject matter expert, partnering closely with leadership and key stakeholders to ensure benefit offerings remain competitive, compliant, and aligned with business objectives.

This role reports directly to senior HR leadership and does not have direct reports.

Responsibilities:

• Own and manage the full lifecycle of U.S. benefits programs, including strategy, administration, renewals, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Lead annual open enrollment processes, including planning, communication development, system testing, vendor coordination, and employee support.
• Evaluate, implement, and launch new benefit programs and enhancements.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for brokers, carriers, and third-party vendors, ensuring strong partnerships and service delivery.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations including ERISA, COBRA, ACA, HIPAA, HSA/HDHP requirements, and related governance standards.
• Partner with Payroll, Finance, and HR teams to maintain accurate benefits administration, auditing, reporting, and financial controls.
• Analyze benefits utilization, market trends, and cost drivers to identify opportunities for program enhancements and cost management.
• Develop employee communications, educational materials, and resources that support employee understanding and engagement.
• Serve as an expert resource for complex employee benefits questions and escalations.
• Build and maintain a long-term benefits roadmap aligned with organizational goals and workforce needs.
• Continuously improve processes, workflows, and administrative procedures to increase efficiency and eliminate recurring issues.

Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in benefits administration, total rewards, or related HR functions.
• Strong knowledge of ERISA, COBRA, ACA, HIPAA, HSA/HDHP regulations, and benefits compliance requirements.
• Experience managing multi-state benefits programs.
• Experience administering benefits programs supporting 500–1,000 employees.
• Experience managing vendor relationships and participating in renewal negotiations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret financial, utilization, and benefits data.
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.

Preferred

• Professional services, consulting, legal, accounting, or other knowledge-based industry experience.
• Experience with Workday, ADP, or similar HRIS platforms.
• Experience leading benefits program enhancements and process improvement initiatives.
• Exposure to broader total rewards programs.
• Base salary $100K – $140K based on experience
• Annual bonus eligibility based on experience
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, retirement, and additional perks

Why choose Addison Group?

• Pay: We negotiate high salaries using US Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Benefits & Bonuses: You are eligible for medical, dental, vision insurance benefits, 401K, and monetary bonuses
• Permanent Employment: Many of Addison’s Administrative job openings lead to potential permanent employment
• Connections: You connect directly with hiring managers from renowned organizations
• Options: You are presented multiple employment options near your home
• Professional Development: You are provided hiring process advice, resume revision, and employment term negotiation

Addison Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Addison Group provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Addison Group complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.