Benefits Manager - Hybrid, Total Rewards & Compliance

Smartstartofmeck; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Smartstartofmeck seeks a Benefits Manager to oversee the administration, compliance, and daily operations of its employee benefits programs. You will manage vendor relationships, administer HRIS platforms, and ensure timely employee support.

In collaboration with HR, Payroll, and Finance, you will lead audits, open enrollment, and annual planning, while maintaining regulatory filings and accurate deductions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, Finance, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive benefits administration or total rewards experience.
• 2+ years managing benefit vendors and compliance programs.
• Experience conducting audits, reporting, and data reconciliation.
• Strong knowledge of HRIS and benefits administration systems.

Responsibilities

• Administer all employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, leave, wellness, and voluntary benefits.
• Oversee benefits enrollment, eligibility verification, qualifying life event processing, and COBRA administration.
• Provide guidance to employees regarding benefit programs, eligibility, claims issues, and enrollment processes.
• Develop and deliver employee education materials and benefits communications.
• Ensure compliance with ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, and other benefits-related requirements.
• Prepare reports and documentation for internal and external audits.
• Serve as the primary liaison for benefits carriers, brokers, third-party administrators, retirement plan providers, COBRA administrators, and other benefits vendors.
• Manage vendor relationships and service-level agreements to ensure quality service delivery.
• Lead annual benefits planning, budgeting, and renewal processes.
• Analyze benefits data and trends to identify opportunities for operational improvements.
• Support open enrollment planning, employee meetings, and benefits-related training sessions.
• Conduct regular audits of employee benefit records and transactions within HRIS and vendor systems to ensure the accuracy of benefit eligibility, enrollments, deductions, billing and vendor data.
• Partner with Payroll to ensure proper deductions and reporting.
• Monitor benefit plan performance and recommend program improvements when appropriate.
• Coordinate system updates, file transmissions, and integration testing between HRIS, payroll, and vendor platforms.
• Reconcile benefits invoices and ensure accurate employee and employer contributions. Maintain plan documents, employee communications, and required regulatory filings.
• Investigate and resolve complex benefits inquiries and escalated concerns.
• Develop and maintain procedures related to benefits administration and compliance.
• Support special projects related to benefits strategy, vendor transitions, and system implementations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Problem solving

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business/Finance

CEBS / SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP / PHR/SPHR certification

Tools

HRIS

Payroll systems

Excel

Job description

Smartstartofmeck seeks a Benefits Manager to oversee the administration, compliance, and daily operations of its employee benefits programs. You will manage vendor relationships, administer HRIS platforms, and ensure timely employee support.

In collaboration with HR, Payroll, and Finance, you will lead audits, open enrollment, and annual planning, while maintaining regulatory filings and accurate deductions.