Benefits Program Manager — Strategy & Compliance

Linfield University; McMinnville (OR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Linfield University seeks an experienced Benefits Manager to serve as the university’s subject matter expert and primary owner of employee benefit programs.

This role independently manages administration, compliance, analysis, and continuous improvement of benefits and retirement programs, partnering with employees, HR, Payroll, Finance, brokers, carriers, and third-party administrators to ensure accurate administration and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Admin, Finance, or related field with at least five years in employee benefits.
• Experience administering complex benefits including health, welfare, and retirement plans.
• Knowledge of ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, FMLA, and state requirements.
• Experience with benefit reconciliation, data auditing, annual enrollment, vendor management, and communications.
• Experience with HRIS, payroll, or carrier systems and resolving data discrepancies.
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills; ability to translate into recommendations.
• Excellent communication and project management skills; ability to handle confidential information.

Responsibilities

• Owns administration and compliance of employee benefit programs and 403(b) retirement plan.
• Lead annual renewal and open enrollment including plan evaluation and communications.
• Coordinate with brokers and vendors to assess plan performance and design improvements.
• Maintain data integrity across HRIS, payroll, carriers, and retirement vendors.
• Conduct benefit audits and reconcile discrepancies with internal and external teams.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, FMLA, PLO, OFLA, and Oregon requirements.
• Provide retirement plan administration support and education.
• Serve as HR liaison with carriers and vendors and manage service levels.
• Provide employees with benefit information and assist with leaves and enrollments.

Skills

Benefits administration

ERISA knowledge

HIPAA compliance

Vendor management

Data analysis

Communication skills

HRIS experience

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Business/Finance

Professional certification (CEBS/PHR/SPHR/SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP)

Tools

Oracle

HRIS

Payroll systems

Benefit administration systems

Job description

Linfield University seeks an experienced Benefits Manager to serve as the university’s subject matter expert and primary owner of employee benefit programs.

This role independently manages administration, compliance, analysis, and continuous improvement of benefits and retirement programs, partnering with employees, HR, Payroll, Finance, brokers, carriers, and third-party administrators to ensure accurate administration and regulatory compliance.