Benefits & Wellbeing Manager

Delta Dental; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 93,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base pay

401(k) with generous matching

Medical & pharmacy benefits

Employer-paid dental & vision

Paid time off + holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Career development

Adoption assistance

Wellbeing program

Job summary

Delta Dental is seeking a Benefits Manager to lead development and administration of cost-effective benefits programs that attract, engage, and retain a diverse workforce.

You will oversee the entire lifecycle from research and proposal through implementation, compliance, and evaluation of utilization and value, partnering with Total Rewards and leveraging data-driven insights.

Qualifications

• 8+ years w/Bachelor’s degree; 1+ years supervisory/management
• Additional experience may be accepted in lieu of education or degree
• Experience in health and welfare benefits management is preferred

Responsibilities

• Leads a team of benefits professionals, supports their development, and partners with People Organization team stakeholders to implement and support employee benefit programs.
• Provides strategic expertise regarding benefit strategy, market trends, legislation, and benefit policy/plan design.
• Designs, evaluates, and recommends new or enhanced benefit programs aligned with changing employee needs and business landscape, using data driven insights, market benchmarking, cost analysis, and employee impact.
• Leads vendor selection activities (including RFPs), contract negotiations and reviews, and completion of required agreements and security reviews.
• Oversees health and welfare, well-being, and related benefit programs to ensure alignment with employee needs and business priorities.
• Directs the implementation and ongoing administration of benefit programs, including employee communications and education.
• Partners with Total Rewards leadership to set priorities and align time and resources to business needs.
• Identifies and escalates issues that may affect the company, legal compliance, vendor contracts or service changes, the budget, or employees.
• Consults with the Benefits Consultant, internal Legal, ERISA counsel, and other subject matter experts as needed to support informed decision-making.
• Oversees benefits systems and data integrations, including open enrollment to ensure accurate data, strong security controls, and efficient operations.
• Develops and manages the annual benefits budget. Partners with Finance to forecast costs, analyze variances, and recommend corrective actions as needed.

Skills

Team leadership

Strategic thinking

Data-driven

Communication

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Job description

Job Description

This job plays a pivotal role in ensuring that our benefits programs are not just effective, but also a testament to our dedication to our employees' well-being and professional growth. The Benefits Manager will spearhead the development and administration of benefits programs that are not only highly valued and utilized but also cost-effective. These programs are designed to attract, engage, and retain a diverse and exceptional workforce. In this role, you will oversee the entire lifecycle of our benefits programs, from the initial research and proposal stages to implementation, administration, legal compliance, and evaluation of employee utilization and value.

Responsibilities

• Leads a team of benefits professionals, supports their development, and partners with People Organization team stakeholders to implement and support employee benefit programs.
• Provides strategic expertise regarding benefit strategy, market trends, legislation, and benefit policy/plan design.
• Designs, evaluates, and recommends new or enhanced benefit programs aligned with changing employee needs and business landscape, using data driven insights, market benchmarking, cost analysis, and employee impact.
• Leads vendor selection activities (including RFPs), contract negotiations and reviews, and completion of required agreements and security reviews.
• Oversees health and welfare, well-being, and related benefit programs to ensure alignment with employee needs and business priorities. Monitors vendor performance to confirm service commitments are met.
• Directs the implementation and ongoing administration of benefit programs, including employee communications and education. Ensures programs meet legal and regulatory requirements, including required filings, plan documents, and employee notices, and that these are completed accurately and on time.
• Partners with Total Rewards leadership to set priorities and align time and resources to business needs.
• Identifies and escalates issues that may affect the company, legal compliance, vendor contracts or service changes, the budget, or employees.
• Consults with the Benefits Consultant, internal Legal, ERISA counsel, and other subject matter experts as needed to support informed decision-making.
• Oversees benefits systems and data integrations, including open enrollment to ensure accurate data, strong security controls, and efficient operations.
• Develops and manages the annual benefits budget. Partners with Finance to forecast costs, analyze variances, and recommend corrective actions as needed.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

8+ years w/Bachelor’s degree; 1+ years supervisory/management

Additional experience may be accepted in lieu of education or degree

Additional Experience

• Minimum 6 years experience in health and welfare benefits management.
• Experience overseeing benefit enrollment/administration software systems to support employee self-service in online enrollment, education, and plan selection decision making.
• Experience working for a benefits broker in addition to managing corporate benefits a plus.
• Experience managing service levels vs. Service Level Agreements of benefits broker and vendor/carriers a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Ability to manage and mentor/develop a diverse team of benefits professionals of varying experience levels. Includes organizational skills to assign work that successfully engages, develops and cross-trains direct reports. Also includes ability to successfully manage remote, and in-office staff.

In-depth knowledge of current health & welfare, well-being, and retirement medical programs required to compete for high caliber talent

Strong understanding of legal/regulatory and compliance challenges related to benefits programs. Includes ERISA and IRS regulations, government filings such as 5500's, ACA reporting, non-discrimination testing, summary annual reports, summary plan descriptions, etc.

Solid understanding of leave administration, workers' compensation and associated legal/compliance requirements

Proven ability to independently initiate and execute projects with a strong attention to details and deadlines; and promotes collaboration between multiple teams in, and outside of the People Organization toward successful project completion.

Proven ability to oversee and/or develop benefit communication/education materials/programs targeting specific audiences such as: new benefit proposal to executive leaders; benefit marketing and education materials for employees; benefits microsite targeting employees, dependents, or job candidates.

Strong problem solving, oral presentation, persuasion and written communication skills adapted to the target audience.

Solid understanding of Microsoft Office 365 software to include MSWord, Outlook, Excel, and Powerpoint. Experience with One Note, Teams and other Microsoft tools a plus.

Considers it a strength to ask for help when needed, and seek out opinions of others in fulfilling the roles purpose - delivery of highly valued benefits.

Licenses

• Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS)-IFEBP. Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS)-IFEBP Upon Hire Pref'

Base Pay Information

The national base pay range at the end is a good-faith estimate of what Delta Dental may pay for new hires. Actual pay may vary based on Delta Dental’s assessment of the candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), related experience, education, certifications and ability to meet required minimum job qualifications. Other factors impacting pay include prevailing wages in the work location and internal equity.

Pay Grade 22. $92,500 - $200,400

Additional Information

Behind the smile! We are dedicated to safeguarding the health and financial stability of our employees and their loved ones. This commitment extends beyond the workplace to foster personal growth and holistic wellbeing. Our life-changing rewards package includes:

• Competitive base and incentive pay
• 401(k) with robust matching and non-matching contributions
• Rich medical & pharmacy benefits
• 100% employer-paid dental and vision benefits
• Holistic wellbeing program with deep financial incentives
• Generous paid time off plus 12 paid holidays and your birthday off
• Culture of growth and learning: career development; tuition reimbursement; recognition program
• Family support: adoption assistance, fertility treatment, child, elder & pet care assistance
• Social responsibility and volunteer opportunities
• Employee discount program
• Fair Chance Ordinances and Criminal Background Considerations

This position requires that the applicant undergo a background check. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with any applicable federal, state or local laws, including, but not limited to, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and/or New York Corrections Law Article 23-A.

Proof of eligibility to work in the United States must be provided if selected for hire.

Delta Dental includes: Delta Dental of California, Delta Dental Insurance Company, Delta Dental of Pennsylvania, and Delta Dental of New York

Unfortunately, our Delta Dental Enterprise is unable to hire individuals residing in Alaska, North Dakota, Nebraska, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Vermont, Maine, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Wyoming, Puerto Rico, District of Columbia (Washington D.C.) or other US Territories at this time.

About the Team

At Delta Dental, we’re behind millions of smiles and counting. For over 68 years, we’ve served our communities by increasing access to affordable, quality care – but that commitment to care extends beyond the people we serve, to the dedicated employees who make those smiles genuine. We've come this far by building fair programs that offer opportunities for advancement, create meaningful connections and improve the lives of our employees and their families. Because we know that when we take exceptional care of each other, we can make a positive impact for all.

We champion an inspirational workplace through our commitment to trust, service, excellence and innovation. Joining us means working for a company that offers stability and balance, opportunities for leadership at all levels, and a work environment focused on teamwork and camaraderie.

Discover the smiling faces behind Delta Dental and experience our values and culture in action by connecting with us on social media. Follow Delta Dental Ins. on Facebook and Instagram, #LifeatDDins on Facebook and Instagram, Delta Dental Ins. on Twitter and Delta Dental Ins. on LinkedIn. If you've got an appetite for innovation and want to be a part of a team that’s transforming the future of health care, join us!

Since 1955, we have offered comprehensive, high-quality oral health care benefits to millions of enrollees and built the strongest network of dental providers in the country. The Delta Dental of California network includes affiliates Delta Dental Insurance Company; Delta Dental of Pennsylvania; Delta Dental of New York, Inc.; Delta Dental of the District of Columbia; Delta Dental of Delaware, Inc.; and Delta Dental of West Virginia, providing dental benefits to more than 31 million people across 15 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The company and its affiliates are part of Delta Dental Plans Association (DDPA), a not-for-profit national association based in Oak Brook, Illinois. Through our national network of Delta Dental companies, we offer dental coverage in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories. We offer vision coverage through DeltaVision in 15 states and the District of Columbia. Collectively, we deliver benefits to more Americans than any other dental insurance company.

Delta Dental Ins. is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a professional work environment free from discrimination and harassment.

Individuals seeking employment at Delta Dental are considered without regard to race, ethnicity, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, actual or perceived physical or mental disability, registered domestic partner status, caregiver status, marital status, veteran or military status, citizenship status, or any other legally protected category.

Delta Dental is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment.

Accordingly, we have adopted and maintain an Equal Employment Opportunity Policy, Harassment-Free Work Environment Policy, and Respectful Workplace policies and will not tolerate violations of these policies.

Full time

Alpharetta, GA, United States United States

#LI-Remote