Benefits Manager @ Kelso Industries

Kelso Industries; Salt Lake City (UT); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Kelso Industries seeks a Benefits Manager to lead the day‑to‑day administration and continuous improvement of health and welfare programs. Reporting to the Director of Total Rewards, this hands‑on role requires technical knowledge and operational ownership in a high‑growth environment.

Responsibilities include plan administration, open enrollment, leave programs, and benefits communications. Ideal candidate brings ERISA/ACA compliance expertise and experience with HRIS platforms and broker

Qualifications

• 4–7 years of benefits administration or Total Rewards experience.
• Strong working knowledge of ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and multi‑state compliance.
• Experience working with brokers and carriers.
• Experience administering benefits within Employee Navigator, Workday, BSwift, and/or PlanSource preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Administer medical, dental, vision, life, disability, FSA/HSA, voluntary benefits, and retirement plans.
• Manage eligibility, enrollments, life events, and payroll integration.
• Lead open enrollment across operating companies.
• Administer all employee leave programs ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Develop benefits communications and counsels employees on benefits-related issues.
• Evaluate existing benefits programs against peer organizations to determine competitiveness, trends, and developments.
• Administer benefits within HRIS platforms, ensuring data integrity and carrier file accuracy.
• Partner with HRIS and Payroll to manage audits, reporting, and compliance requirements.
• Support system configuration, testing, and process documentation.
• Experience with Employee Navigator, Workday, BSwift, and/or PlanSource benefits administration strongly preferred.
• Coordinate with brokers, carriers, and TPAs to resolve issues and maintain service levels.
• Monitor claims data and support renewal preparation.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and applicable regulations.
• Maintain required documentation, notices, and filings.
• Assist with benefits due diligence and integration for newly acquired entities.
• Support harmonization efforts across operating companies.

Skills

ERISA knowledge

ACA compliance

COBRA

HIPAA

Multi-state compliance

Brokers & carriers

HRIS systems

Workday

BSwift / PlanSource

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Employee Navigator

Workday

BSwift

PlanSource

Job description

Together We Build – Partnership, Innovation, Excellence, and Safety

At Kelso Industries, 4,000+ employees across 40+ companies work together to deliver exceptional HVAC, mechanical, plumbing, refrigeration, and electrical solutions nationwide. Join us to grow your career, make an impact, and be part of a team where innovation, excellence, and safety come first.

Recruiter Notice: We respectfully ask external recruiters and staffing agencies not to submit candidates. We only accept direct applications.

Kelso Industries - Benefits Manager

Location: Draper, UT (Onsite/Hybrid)

Reports To: Director of Total Rewards

Position Summary

The Benefits Manager is responsible for the day-to-day administration, execution, and continuous improvement of Kelso’s health and welfare programs. Reporting to the Director of Total Rewards, this role serves as the organization’s primary point of contact for benefits-related matters.

This is a hands‑on, player‑coach style role requiring both technical knowledge and operational ownership. The right candidate will be comfortable resolving complex issues directly, administering plans within HR systems, and supporting strategic initiatives in a high‑growth environment.

Key Responsibilities

Benefits Administration & Execution

• Administer medical, dental, vision, life, disability, FSA/HSA, voluntary benefits, and retirement plans.
• Manage eligibility, enrollments, life events, and payroll integration.
• Lead operational execution of open enrollment across operating companies.
• Administer all employee leave programs ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Develop benefits communications and counsels employees on benefits-related-issues.
• Evaluate existing benefits programs against peer organizations to determine competitiveness, trends, and developments.

Systems & Process Management

• Administer benefits within HRIS platforms, ensuring data integrity and carrier file accuracy.
• Partner with HRIS and Payroll to manage audits, reporting, and compliance requirements.
• Support system configuration, testing, and process documentation.
• Experience with Employee Navigator, Workday, BSwift, and/or PlanSource benefits administration strongly preferred.

Vendor & Compliance Support

• Coordinate with brokers, carriers, and TPAs to resolve issues and maintain service levels.
• Monitor claims data and support renewal preparation.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and applicable regulations.
• Maintain required documentation, notices, and filings.

M&A and Integration Support

• Assist with benefits due diligence and integration for newly acquired entities.
• Support harmonization efforts across operating companies.

Qualifications

• 4–7 years of benefits administration or Total Rewards experience.
• Strong working knowledge of ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and multi‑state compliance.
• Experience working with brokers and carriers.
• Experience administering benefits within Employee Navigator, Workday, BSwift, and/or PlanSource preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

Core Competencies

• High ownership and accountability
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Detail‑oriented with compliance discipline
• Clear and professional communication

Why Join Kelso Industries?

Join us and be part of a team dedicated to creating efficient, sustainable, and high‑performance environments that make a lasting impact across the industrial, commercial, and institutional sectors.

Here You Will Experience

Growth Opportunities: Develop new skills, take on exciting challenges, and advance your career in meaningful ways.

Company Culture: You’ll thrive in an environment that supports your growth, values your contributions, and makes work fulfilling and enjoyable.

Impact: Your work directly contributes to meaningful outcomes, allowing you to see the difference you make and feel a sense of purpose every day.

Competitive Compensation & Benefits: You’ll be rewarded fairly for your contributions while enjoying perks that enhance your financial security, health, and overall well‑being.

Kelso Industries celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate in any aspect of employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local employment discrimination laws where Kelso does business.