Health & Welfare Benefits Manager

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 72,000 - 223,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is seeking a Health & Welfare Benefits Manager to lead a team supporting health and welfare plans. This role partners with leadership to renew plans, manage vendor relationships, and ensure compliance, while guiding a team through performance coaching and career development.

Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in self-funded plans, regulatory knowledge (ERISA/ACA/COBRA/HIPAA/FMLA), and strong data analysis skills, with a focus on

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR or related field with 8+ years in health & welfare plan management and at least 4 years of people leadership.
• Experience with large self-funded medical plans and vendor management.
• Knowledge of ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA and related regulations.
• Proven ability to mentor and develop staff and build strong teams.
• Superior customer service, teamwork and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent problem solving and proactive initiative.
• Strong verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to deadlines.
• Data analysis experience and MS Office proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction to staff benefits team.
• Conduct performance coaching and career development discussions.
• Foster collaboration and continuous learning to strengthen service delivery.
• Promote professionalism and customer service with open communication.
• Manage health and welfare plans including vendor oversight and plan design reviews.
• Present renewal recommendations to senior leadership.
• Coordinate changes to HRIS, SPD and communications materials.
• Analyze vendor data to assess plan effectiveness and cost management.
• Monitor compliance regulations and advise on legislative impact.
• Lead benefits communications and maintain staff benefits website.
• Advise Benefits Committee and participate in meetings.

Skills

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Leadership experience

Vendor management

Regulatory knowledge ERISA ACA COBRA F

Mentoring staff

Customer service skills

Communication skills

Problem solving

Data analysis

MS Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Master's degree in HR or related field

CEBS or World@Work certification

Tools

Workday

Job description

Are you searching for meaningful work on a total rewards team?

Are you searching for meaningful work on a total rewards team? Do you like contributing to defining innovations? If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL. We are seeking a Health & Welfare Benefits Manager to lead a team in support of APL's health and welfare plans. As a member of APL 's Talent Services team you'll contribute to our core purpose to build community, ignite talent and partner to enable defining innovations.

As a Health & Welfare Benefits Manager, You Will...

• Provide leadership direction and support to staff benefits team members.
• Build an environment that stimulates growth, innovation and inspires staff to make meaningful contributions through regular touch points including conducting regular performance coaching and career development discussions.
• Foster a collaborative and supportive team environment by encouraging teamwork, knowledge-sharing, and continuous learning to strengthen service delivery and support operational excellence.
• Promote a culture of professionalism, accountability, and exceptional customer service with open communication and supporting the team through change.
• Manage health and welfare plans by leading vendor relationship management oversight, conducting renewal negotiations, reviewing competitive market analyses and evaluating and recommending plan design modifications as appropriate in support of objectives identified by Laboratory leadership and the Benefits Committee.
• Present renewal recommendations to senior and executive leadership.
• Coordinate implication of changes to HRIS, Plan Documents (i.e., SPD) and other communications outlets such as website and enrollment materials.
• Define, obtain and analyze vendor data to evaluate plan and program effectiveness. Data examples include plan utilization, financial results, network adequacy statistics, fee data and overall vendor cost management. Assess performance of existing programs through research, surveys and trends analysis.
• Monitor existing compliance regulations and emerging legislation. Analyze and report on impact of emerging legislation to the Laboratory's plans. Support compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Lead benefits communications, including managing updates to the Summary Plan Description and other documentation, and oversee updates to staff benefits website. Represent staff benefits on collaborative TSX/Communications Department communication team.
• Prepare summaries, conduct research and present claim appeals to the Appeals Committee for consideration. Prepare appeal response for Committee Chair and provide appeal determinations to vendors.
• Serve as advisor and resource to the Laboratory's Benefits Committee through engaged participation in Committee meetings and related work.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you have...

• A Bachelor's Degree in human resources or related field or equivalent years of experience and a minimum 8 years specialized health and welfare plan management experience concurrent with at least 4 years of people leadership experience.
• Experience with large self-funded medical plans and vendor management.
• Knowledge of ERiSA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA and other applicable regulations.
• Proven ability to mentor and develop staff, cultivate positive relationships and contribute to building a strong team.
• Superior customer service, teamwork and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated excellent problem solving skills with demonstrated proactive initiative in tackling issues.
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills, ability to meet deadlines and attention to detail.
• Data analysis experience to convey meaningful insights and actionable recommendations and advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office products (i.e. Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Hold US Citizenship or permanent resident status, as required to access APL’s facilities and networks, subject to applicable laws.

You’ll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you have...

• A Master’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or related field.
• Experience with Workday Human Resources Information System.
• Formal benefits certification such as CEBS or World@Work Certified Benefits Professional.

About Us

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

Why Work at APL?

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact [e-mail].

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Minimum Rate

$72,400 Annually

Maximum Rate

$222,500 Annually