Employee Benefits Manager
Cincinnati Zoo
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Job summary
The Cincinnati Zoo is seeking an Employee Benefits Manager to administer and continuously improve our employee benefit and well-being programs. The role supports Total Well-Being and works closely with HR, finance, payroll, and vendors.
The position requires a strong foundation in benefits administration, compliance, and data analysis, delivering accurate information and responsive support to employees and leaders.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in HR, business, finance or related field.
- 5+ years de experiencia en beneficios y/o programas de bienestar o HR.
- Experiência comprovada com administracao de beneficios e relacionamento com brokers/carrieers.
- Conformidade com ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA e FMLA.
Responsibilities
- Manage and administer employee benefit and well-being programs.
- Coordinate annual benefits planning, renewals, and open enrollment.
- Serve as a resource for employee benefit questions and benefit-related matters.
- Assist with compliance, audits and documentation for assigned programs.
- Prepare dashboards and reports on benefit costs, participation, and utilization.
Skills
Education
Job description
Thank you for your interest in Zoo employment and career opportunities, including AmeriCorps ! If you share these Core Values , we want to hear from you. By checking this site often, you can learn more about the Zoo and what we have to offer. Search jobs and careers at the Zoo below!
About Diversity and Inclusion at the Cincinnati Zoo
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden CELEBRATES the diversity of our plants & animals, staff, visitors, and community. We believe the Zoo should be a place where everyone can be themselves. We strive for the Zoo to be a place where differences are recognized, welcomed, and celebrated through our culture, processes, programs, and very presence in the community.
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is an equal opportunity employer and accepts employment applications and/or resumes for current open positions only.
Available Positions Food and Retail Available Positions
Position:Employee Benefits Manager
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Job Id:1500
# of Openings:1
The Employee Benefits Manager is an experienced individual contributor who manages and administers assigned employee benefit, well-being, workers' compensation, and related compliance programs and processes. Working within the direction established by the Director of Human Resources, this position uses initiative, sound judgment, and subject-matter knowledge to carry work through completion, resolve issues, improve processes, and provide accurate and responsive support. The position does not supervise employees or hold overall functional responsibility for the Zoo's benefits and well-being strategy.
Grounded in a holistic Total Well-Being philosophy, the Employee Benefits Manager helps deliver programs and resources that support employees and their families across different needs, circumstances, and life stages. This includes supporting physical, emotional, financial, social, and professional well-being through meaningful benefits, accessible resources, and an employee experience that reflects the Zoo's mission and values.
The position works closely with Human Resources colleagues, Finance, Payroll, organizational leaders, employees, benefit consultants, carriers, and vendors. The role contributes analysis, recommendations, and operational expertise while ensuring assigned responsibilities are completed accurately, efficiently, and in compliance with applicable requirements.
- Manage and administer assigned employee benefit and well-being programs and complete recurring responsibilities with accuracy, timeliness, and appropriate follow-through.
- Support programs that include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement, employee assistance, leave-related benefits, voluntary benefits, workers' compensation, and other employee resources.
- Contribute to the evaluation and continuous improvement of benefit and well-being programs by gathering information, reviewing employee feedback, identifying trends, and developing practical recommendations.
- Coordinate assigned components of annual benefits planning, renewals, and open enrollment, including plan documentation, employee communications, system testing, enrollment support, and vendor coordination.
- Serve as a knowledgeable resource for employee benefit questions and sensitive benefit-related matters, providing responsive, accurate, and compassionate support and escalating issues when appropriate.
- Process and review benefit eligibility, enrollments, changes, terminations, billing, reconciliations, and other administrative transactions, resolving discrepancies in partnership with internal and external resources.
- Monitor participation, utilization, employee feedback, cost information, and vendor service results for assigned programs.
- Develop employee communications and educational resources that make benefits and well-being programs easier to understand, access, and use.
- Coordinate with brokers, consultants, carriers, and vendors on assigned matters, including service issues, implementation activities, renewals, and employee support.
- Support workers' compensation administration, documentation, claims coordination, and related employee communication in partnership with internal and external resources.
- Maintain working knowledge of federal, state, and local requirements related to assigned benefit and well-being responsibilities and identify changes that may affect Zoo practices.
- Coordinate assigned benefit notices, filings, disclosures, audits, plan documents, nondiscrimination testing, and other compliance activities.
- Support compliance with applicable requirements, including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, Section 125, FMLA, and other relevant benefit laws and regulations.
- Maintain accurate records, documentation, controls, and administrative procedures for assigned programs and processes.
- Identify potential compliance, service, or operational concerns; research available information; recommend solutions; and promptly elevate significant issues.
- Assist with internal and external audits and respond to benefit-related information requests.
- Help develop and maintain policies, procedures, and employee resources that support accurate, consistent, and compliant administration.
- Maintain the integrity and confidentiality of employee benefit and well-being data.
- Partner with Human Resources, Finance, Payroll, and technology resources to ensure assigned systems and processes support accurate and efficient administration.
- Prepare dashboards, reports, reconciliations, and metrics related to benefit costs, participation, utilization, service levels, and program effectiveness.
- Analyze data, identify patterns or discrepancies, and present findings and practical recommendations.
- Document processes and maintain effective controls, calendars, and workflows for assigned recurring activities.
- Independently manage assigned projects, such as vendor implementations, system changes, program launches, renewals, communications, and process improvements.
- Identify opportunities to simplify work, strengthen controls, and improve the employee and manager experience.
- Provide knowledgeable and responsive guidance to employees regarding assigned benefits and available well-being resources.
- Prepare practical information and tools that help leaders support employees and apply benefit-related processes consistently.
- Collaborate across departments while maintaining appropriate confidentiality, professional judgment, and respect for decision-making authority.
- Communicate complex or technical information in a clear, practical, and employee-friendly manner.
- Build credibility and trust through accuracy, responsiveness, empathy, discretion, and reliable follow-through.
- Promote employee awareness and effective use of the Zoo's benefits and Total Well-Being resources.
- Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, finance, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in employee benefits, well-being programs, or a closely related human resources specialty.
- Demonstrated experience administering employee benefit programs and working with brokers, carriers, consultants, and vendors.
- Working knowledge of laws and regulations related to employee benefits and protected employee information.
- Experience analyzing data, resolving complex administrative issues, and presenting findings or recommendations.
- Experience independently managing projects or processes from planning through implementation and follow-through.
- Professional certification such as CEBS, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR.
- Experience with self-funded benefit plans, benefit renewals, workers' compensation, or well-being initiatives.
- Experience working within a complex organization employing a combination of full-time, part-time, seasonal, hourly, and salaried employees.
- Familiarity with HR information systems, benefits administration platforms, payroll systems, and data analysis tools.
- Strong knowledge of employee benefits administration and related compliance requirements.
- Ability to work independently within established direction, recognize when additional guidance is needed, and keep appropriate stakeholders informed.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpret data, research issues, evaluate alternatives, and recommend practical solutions.
- High level of accuracy, organization, and attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, annual cycles, deadlines, and projects with limited day-to-day oversight.
- Strong program and project management skills, including the ability to organize work, coordinate stakeholders, manage timelines, and drive assigned initiatives to completion.
- Understanding of benefit costs, vendor arrangements, and the operational impact of benefit decisions.
- Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
- Ability to explain complex programs and requirements in language employees and leaders can readily understand.
- Strong judgment and discretion when handling confidential or sensitive information.
- Demonstrated commitment to equity, consistency, accessibility, and an inclusive employee experience.
- Collaborative working style and the ability to influence outcomes through expertise and trusted relationships.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle protected employee information.
- Ability to work at a computer and review detailed reports, data, and plan materials for extended periods.
- Ability to participate in occasional meetings, employee education sessions, enrollment activities, or organizational events outside the regular work schedule.
- Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
This position is full-time, salaried-exempt, and eligible for the Zoo's benefit programs for non-union employees at the first of the month following date of hire. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that supports employee “Total-Well-Being,” including affordable medical dental & vision coverage; 401(k) plan with company match; flexible spending accounts; company-paid disability & life insurance; generous paid time off (PTO), park discounts and free passes.
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Intern Program provides participants with early career experience in a specific department. Interns gain valuable skills through hands‑on training with staff, attending lectures and continuing education courses presented by staff from various departments, and networking opportunities to develop professional contacts throughout the Zoo community.
The ideal intern candidate will meet the following requirements:
- Be 18 or over and interested in pursuing a career in the zoological or botanical field;
- hard‑working, highly motivated, professional, and committed to following detailed instructions;
- positively approach team‑based, collaborative working environments and engaging with visitors;
- comfortable working with and/or handling many different species encompassing all taxa of animals; and
- full availability to work the entire intern session and days required.
If an internship listed does not have an “Apply Here” link, the internship is unavailable for the current session, please check back during the next application period.
Horticulture: Native Plant Program & Wetland
Night Hunters
North America
Primate Center
Wings of Wonder
Need to be a registered veterinary technician or actively enrolled in an AVMA accredited veterinary technology program to be accepted for internship
This can be a several day experience that may or may not coincide with school requirements. - need to be an enrolled in an AVMA accredited veterinary program - (must be a student in 1st-3rd year of school)
4-8-week externship experience. Must be enrolled in an AMVA accredited veterinary program. These are often scheduled 1-2 years in advance of the externship. Please feel free to inquire if you are in your 2nd or 3rd year of an AVMA accredited veterinary program.
We unfortunately do not offer any opportunities currently for high school students. Please reach out once you meet one of the requirements above.
If you meet the above qualifications and are interested in participating in the VETERINARY SHADOW DAYS or VETERINARY EXTERNSHIP, please fill out this form and you will be contacted by our Vet staff to schedule if there is availability.
If you are interested in the VETERINARY INTERNSHIP – please review the session availability & application process for internships below.
If the “apply” link is not listed below, the Veterinary Technician internship is filled. Please check back in the next application period for internships.
Limited housing is available and is located across the street which allows for access to the zoo easily
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