Benefits Manager (Contract)

Teneo; New York (NY); On-site; USD 83,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

Teneo is seeking a Benefits Manager (Contract) to support the day-to-day administration of employee benefits programs and leave processes during a temporary leave period. The role is based in New York City, on-site three days per week for onboarding, starting October 2026 for about nine months.

You will partner with the People Team, Payroll, and external vendors to ensure accurate, compliant benefits administration across the U.S. and international locations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, business admin, or related field.
• 5+ years' hands-on benefits administration experience.
• Solid knowledge of U.S. benefits, leave, and compliance; international benefits a plus.
• Experience partnering with vendors, brokers, Payroll, and Finance teams.
• Proficiency with Workday for benefits and reporting; advanced Excel skills preferred.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities in a high-volume environment.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day administration of benefits programs for US and international plans.
• Process enrollments, life events, terminations, COBRA, and retirement transactions.
• Conduct weekly new-hire benefits orientations.
• Collaborate with Senior People Partner to ensure smooth benefits operations.
• Coordinate leave of absence and accommodation processes with external providers.
• Support benefits administration across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean offices.
• Maintain records, perform audits, and assist with compliance activities.
• Assist with annual compensation data preparation and reporting.
• Escalate complex issues to Senior People Partner.

Skills

Benefits domain knowledge

Communication

Team collaboration

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business Admin

Tools

Workday

Excel

Job description

Teneo is the global CEO advisory firm. We partner with our clients globally to do great things for a better future.

Drawing upon our global team and expansive network of senior advisors, we provide advisory services across our five business segments on a stand-alone or fully integrated basis to help our clients solve complex business challenges. Our clients include a significant number of the Fortune 100 and FTSE 100, as well as other corporations, financial institutions and organizations.

Our full range of advisory services includes strategic communications, investor relations, financial transactions and restructuring, management consulting, physical and cyber risk, organizational design, board and executive search, geopolitics and government affairs, corporate governance and ESG.

The firm has more than 1,800 employees located in 50+ offices around the world.

Role Overview

The Benefits Manager (Contract) will support the day-to-day administration of Teneo's employee benefits programs and leave processes during a temporary leave of absence coverage period. Working closely with the Senior People Partner, People Team, Payroll Team, benefits brokers, and external vendors, this role will help ensure benefits programs are administered accurately, efficiently, and in compliance with applicable laws and company policies.

This is a temporary, full-time position based in our New York City office, with a requirement to work on-site three days per week during the first month for onboarding and training. The role is expected to begin in October 2026 and continue for approximately nine months, providing dedicated coverage during an employee leave of absence.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the day-to-day administration of employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, HSA, COBRA, retirement, and other wellness benefits, while serving as a primary point of contact for employee inquiries.
• Process benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, terminations, COBRA administration, retirement plan transactions, and other employee benefit changes accurately and in a timely manner.
• Conduct weekly new hire benefits orientations and assist with maintaining employee-facing benefits communications and resources.
• Partner closely with the Senior People Partner to administer benefits programs and ensure a positive and seamless employee experience.
• Coordinate leave of absence and accommodation administration, including tracking documentation, partnering with external leave providers, and supporting compliance with applicable policies and regulations.
• Support benefits administration for employees across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, BVI, Cayman Islands, and Bermuda coordinating with local brokers and vendors as needed.
• Work closely with Payroll, Finance, HRIS, benefits vendors, and brokers to help ensure accurate payroll deductions, retirement plan funding, vendor billing, and issue resolution.
• Maintain benefits records and reporting, perform routine audits and reconciliations, and assist with compliance-related activities, including 401(k) audits, workers' compensation audits, and annual filings.
• Support annual compensation planning activities through data preparation, testing, reporting, and coordination with the People Team, Payroll, and Finance partners.
• Escalate complex employee relations, compliance, policy interpretation, and benefits matters to the Senior People Partner as appropriate.
• Assist with additional People Team projects and initiatives as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience administering employee benefits programs, preferably within a fast-paced professional services, consulting, or corporate environment.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. employee benefits programs, leave administration, and related compliance requirements; experience supporting international benefits programs is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience partnering with benefits vendors, brokers, third-party administrators, Payroll, and Finance teams to support accurate and efficient benefits administration.
• Proficiency with Workday is required, including benefits administration and reporting; advanced Microsoft Excel skills are strongly preferred.
• Experience administering leaves of absence, accommodations, and employee benefit changes while ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Proven ability to handle sensitive and confidential employee information with discretion, sound judgment, and professionalism.
• Exceptional attention to detail, organization, and follow-through, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a high-volume environment.
• Strong customer service, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex benefits information clearly and professionally to employees at all levels.
• Collaborative, hands-on team player who can work independently on day-to-day administration while partnering closely with senior People Team members on more complex employee, compliance, and benefits matters.

Compensation

Hourly Rate Range: $60.00 - $70.00 per hour (actual compensation will depend on several factors, including a candidate's qualifications, skills, experience, and geographic location, and may fall within the range listed). This is a temporary, full-time non-exempt position anticipated to last approximately nine months.

Flexible Work Policy

Teneo believes in in-person collaboration when possible. For employees assigned to the New York office, the expectation is to work onsite a minimum of three days per week.