Manager, Benefits (Human Resources)

Kennedy Krieger Institute, Inc.; Baltimore (MD); Hybrid; USD 73,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Kennedy Krieger Institute, Inc. is seeking a Manager of Benefits to oversee the Employee Benefit Plan, LOA program, Retirement Plan, and related compliance. This role collaborates with Payroll and HR leadership to ensure accurate deductions and proper plan administration.

The position leads Benefits and LOA teams, manages enrollment, audits, vendor relations, and communications for annual open enrollment, while guiding strategy on plan designs and cost management within a healthcare setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, business administration, or related field.
• Master’s degree in HR/Business Administration preferred.
• Minimum 6 years of benefits administration experience.
• Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Benefits and LOA teams, define goals, manage administration systems and processes.
• Oversee enrollment, MFSA/DFSA/HSA plan administration and related payroll deductions with accuracy.
• Lead Open Enrollment, plan testing, and communication design for new plan year go-live.
• Monitor benefit trends, benchmark designs, and coordinate with brokers for cost-effective plans.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field

Master’s degree in Business Administration or related field (preferred)

Job description

Overview

The Manager, Benefits is responsible for oversight of the administration and compliance requirements related to the Employee Benefit Plan, Wellness Programming, Retirement Plan, Leave of Absence (LOA) program, and Workers Compensation benefits. This includes supervision of the benefits and LOA teams and requires close collaboration with the Payroll and Business Solutions team to ensure benefit plans are administered properly and payroll deductions are accurately withheld from employees’ pay. In addition, the incumbent works with Human Resources leadership on strategic planning, budgeting, benefit plan designs, and evaluating broker/vendor relationships and contracts.

Responsibilities

1. Manage the Benefits and Leave of Absence (LOA) teams. Define team goals and objectives, and oversee benefit administration systems, processes, and policies. Identify areas for process improvement and staff professional development, conduct team and supervisory meetings, delegate tasks, provide coaching, set priorities, and manage performance.

2. Oversee daily operations pertaining to the Employee Benefit Plan administration including, but not limited to, data analysis; conducting audits; running system processes; managing new hire enrollment, life events, Evidence of Insurability (EOI), dependent certifications, and tuition assistance programs; and Medical Flexible Savings Account (MFSA), Dependent Health Savings Account (DFSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plan administration. Troubleshoot processing errors in coordination with the Business Solutions team to ensure accurate payroll deductions for benefits are being applied. Oversee the Keys to Wellness program, including program development, vendor collaboration, participation tracking, and outcome reporting.

3. Work directly with the Business Solutions team and benefit team to ensure plan configuration, maintenance, and optimization of benefits and absence applications within the HRIS platform to ensure plans are administered according to document specifications and compliance requirements.

4. Monitor benefit trends, benchmark benefit plan designs, and leverage brokers to design and recommend plan design changes, premiums, cost share, and cutting-edge benefits to the workforce while responsibly managing cost. Oversee delivery of census records and clarify questions needed for proposals.

5. Lead the Open Enrollment process, setting the calendar, designing communications, and ensuring all plans are tested and operate properly for the new plan year go-live.

6. Ensure Retirement Plans are being administered according to the summary plan descriptions. Regularly perform audits to confirm enrollments are accurate, contributions comply with IRS and plan rules, appropriate deferrals are being managed, and plan documentation is in order.

7. Under direction of Human Resources leadership, oversee the administration and compliance requirements of the frozen pension plan including, but not limited to, reviewing calculations of benefits, monitoring distributions, and preparing annual reports for actuarial firms.

8. Oversee Leave of Absence (LOA) programing, including Family Medical Leave, short- and long-term disability benefits, Workers Compensation, and return to work programming. Coordinate with insurance carriers as needed and ensure documentation and processes are compliant with federal and state regulations. Work with the LOA team and departments to address FMLA and ADA accommodation requests, and to manage light duty return to work options. Continually evaluate the LOA platform for administration and reporting improvements. Monitor the coordination of disability benefits and workers compensation benefits.

9. Ensure accurate record keeping and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., ERISA, HIPAA, OSHA, FMLA, ACA, COBRA) and support a variety of benefit and retirement plan audits. Respond to requests for documentation, policies, additional information, or clarification. Make corrections when needed and document corrections according to IRS or DOL compliance requirements. Conduct or oversee discrimination testing and record results appropriately. Ensure compliance mailings and notifications are delivered timely and to appropriate audiences.

10. Design workforce trainings on benefits, LOA, FMLA, and associated compliance matters. Present benefit information at New Hire Orientation.

11. Analyze benefits data to identify trends, cost drivers, and opportunities for improvement. Prepare and present reports on benefits utilization, costs, and ROI to Human Resources leadership.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required.

• Master’s degree in Business Administration or related field preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum 6 years of benefits administration experience required, preferably in the healthcare industry.

• Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience required.

Minimum pay range

USD $72,770.26/Yr.

Maximum pay range

USD $129,818.62/Yr.

Regular Full Time

40.00

1741 Ashland Ave

US-MD-Baltimore

Equal Opportunity Provider & Employer M/F/Disability/ProtectedVet