Lead Benefits Specialist, Benefit Plan Governance

ManTech; Herndon (VA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

ManTech in Herndon, VA is seeking a Lead Benefits Specialist to join the Total Rewards team on a hybrid schedule requiring onsite presence 2-3x weekly.

You will drive benefits governance, compliance, and wellbeing initiatives, partnering with vendors and senior leaders to optimize fiduciary oversight and plan design. 7+ years in benefits is preferred and a CEBS/CBP is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, Finance, or related field (4 years of additional relevant experience may substitute for a degree).
• 7+ years of progressive experience in employee benefits administration, leave management, and benefits compliance.
• Experience with benefit plan governance (SPDs, ASAs, vendor agreements) within government contracting.
• Strong knowledge of ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, and FAR/SCA fringe benefit rules.
• Experience developing or leading employee wellbeing initiatives and leave policy execution.
• Advanced proficiency with HRIS platforms and Excel analytics.

Responsibilities

• Lead benefits governance activities, including plan documents and SOWs.
• Serve as primary contact for healthcare compliance programs (HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, etc.).
• Lead audits for 401(k) and Health & Welfare plans and manage 5500 filings and NDT.
• Oversee employee leave programs and ADA accommodation process.
• Expand Wellbeing strategy to maximize employee engagement and total health.
• Collaborate with senior benefits personnel, vendors to optimize fiduciary oversight.
• Work with consultants and leadership to evaluate plan utilization and cost trends.
• Act as escalation point for complex inquiries and appeals.

Skills

HRIS proficiency

MS Excel

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business/Finance

Tools

Workday HRIS

Job description

MANTECH seeks an experienced, results-driven Lead Benefits Specialist to join our Total Rewards team in Herndon, VA. This is a hybrid position requiring onsite presence 2-3x a week.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Lead benefits governance activities, overseeing plan document development and updates to include: Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs), Administrative Services Agreements (ASAs), Evidences of Coverage (EOCs), and Statements of Work (SOWs).
• Serve as the primary point of contact for administration related to healthcare compliance legislation and programs, such as HIPAA, MHPAEA, COBRA, PCORI, ACA Reporting, and all required Annual Notices (e.g., Medicare Creditable Coverage, Summary Annual Reports [SARs]).
• Lead annual audits for 401(k) and Health & Welfare (H&W) plans, Service Contract Act (SCA), managing and reviewing 5500 filings, annual notices, and Non-Discrimination Testing (NDT).
• Lead the administration and execution of employee leave programs across the organization. Explicitly manage the intersection of state leaves with federal FMLA, Short-Term/Long-Term Disability (STD/LTD) integration, and oversee the ADA interactive accommodation process.
• Champion and expand MANTECH’s holistic Wellbeing strategy to maximize employee engagement and support total health.
• Partner with other senior benefits personnel, third-party administrators, and vendors to ensure optimization of fiduciary oversight, risk mitigation, and the structural integrity of all benefit programs.
• Work with benefits consultants and the Executive Director, Total Rewards to evaluate plan utilization, benchmark against industry standards, analyze cost trends, and recommend policy and plan design adjustments to leadership.
• Serve as an expert escalation point for complex employee inquiries, leave requests, and benefit plan compliance matters, and act as the primary escalation point for managing appeals.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or a related field (4 years of additional relevant experience may be substituted in lieu of a degree).
• 7+ years of progressive experience in employee benefits administration, employee leave management, and benefits compliance.
• Demonstrated experience with benefit plan governance, including SPDs, ASAs, and vendor agreements within the government contracting industry.
• Strong working knowledge of federal and statutory regulations, including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, and FAR/SCA fringe benefit rules.
• Experience developing or leading employee wellbeing initiatives and leave policy execution.
• Advanced proficiency with HRIS platforms and MS Excel analytical capabilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) or Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) designation.
• SHRM-CP/SCP or SPHR professional certification.
• Deep experience with Workday HRIS platform configuration for benefit and leave administration.
• Proven track record of managing TPA performance and conducting compliance audits.

Clearance Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
• Needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, and interact with staff.
• Frequently communicates with co-workers, management, and vendors, which may involve delivering presentations, and must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.

MANTECH International Corporation considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to disability or veteran status or any other status protected under any federal, state, or local law or regulation.