Benefits Program Partner

AgFirst Farm Credit Bank; Columbia (SC); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial services organization in South Carolina seeks a Benefits Program Partner to design and manage employee benefits programs. The role involves developing strategies, managing vendor relationships, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Applicants should have a Bachelor's degree, over 7 years of experience in benefits management, and strong analytical skills. This is a full-time, hybrid position offering an opportunity to make a significant impact.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in benefits program management.
• Deep expertise in vendor management and program design.
• Strong presentation skills for engaging stakeholders.
• Deep expertise in benefits compliance and vendor management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute benefits program strategy.
• Manage vendor relationships and contract negotiations.
• Monitor and report on program performance.
• Analyze market trends to keep offerings adaptive.
• Partner with Benefits, HR, Finance, Compliance to align programs.
• Provide guidance on utilization, regulatory updates, and best practices.
• Ensure compliance with ACA, HIPAA, IRS and other regulations.
• Conduct audits and adjust programs for legislative changes.
• Monitor and report program performance to leadership.
• Support special projects and continuous learning.

Skills

Benefits compliance

Analytical skills

Communication

Problem-solving

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or Business Administration

CEBS or equivalent certification

Job description

Join to apply for the Benefits Program Partner role at AgFirst Farm Credit Bank.

Location: Hybrid (Columbia, SC).

The Benefits Programs Partner is responsible for the strategic design, implementation, and management of comprehensive employee benefits programs across multiple associations. This role ensures alignment with client needs, enhances employee satisfaction, and maintains compliance with all regulatory requirements. The Partner collaborates closely with internal teams and external vendors to deliver competitive, high-quality benefits solutions and drive continuous program improvement.

What You’ll Do:

• Develop and execute benefits program strategy and design, ensuring competitiveness and cost-effectiveness.
• Manage vendor, broker, and carrier relationships, including performance reviews and contract negotiations.
• Lead annual benefits plan reviews, assessing coverage options and identifying cost‑management opportunities.
• Analyze market trends to maintain adaptive and attractive benefits offerings.
• Partner with internal stakeholders (Benefits team, HR, Finance, Compliance) to align benefits with organizational needs.
• Provide expert guidance on benefits utilization, regulatory updates, and industry best practices.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., ACA, HIPAA, IRS).
• Conduct audits and proactively adjust programs in response to legislative changes.
• Monitor and report on program performance, delivering insights and recommendations to leadership.
• Support special projects and continuous learning to stay current on industry practices and policies.

What You’ll Need:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in benefits program management, ideally in a multi‑employer or service provider environment.
• CEBS or equivalent certification in benefits administration strongly preferred.
• Deep expertise in benefits compliance, vendor management, and program design.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and drive actionable insights.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills for engaging vendors and key stakeholders.
• Proven ability to solve complex problems and collaborate effectively across diverse teams.

Seniority level: Entry level

Employment type: Full‑time

Job function: Human Resources (Banking)