Section Manager II, Benefits

Octa, LLC; Orange, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 117,000 - 161,000; Full time

Job summary

OCTA, LLC in Orange, CA is seeking a Benefits Manager II to lead the design and administration of employee benefits programs, including health insurance, pension plans, and wellness initiatives.

The role requires strong leadership, vendor management, regulatory compliance, and collaboration with HR leadership to align benefits with organizational goals and budgets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field or equivalent experience.
• Minimum five (5) years of professional HR experience in benefits design and administration.
• Minimum three (3) years of management experience.
• Master’s degree and professional benefits certification are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the administration and strategic direction of employee benefits programs, including health insurance, pension plans, deferred compensation, wellness initiatives, and other offerings.
• Supervise and develop the benefits staff, providing leadership, coaching, and performance management.
• Oversee benefits operations, program implementation, audits, compliance activities, and vendor performance management.
• Develop, update, and implement benefits policies, procedures, and program enhancements to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Collaborate with legal counsel, insurance carriers, trustees, and third-party administrators regarding plan administration and changes.

Skills

Leadership

Staff development

Communication

Vendor management

Data-driven decisions

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field

Master’s degree (desirable)

Tools

Workday

Self-service platforms

Job description

## Section Manager II, BenefitsApply: Orange, CA: Full time: Posted 30+ Days Ago: JR191**Job Description****Benefits Manager** – Section Manager IIUnder general guidance, leads the design, administration, and continuous improvement of OCTA’s employee benefits programs. This position oversees benefits strategy, program administration, compliance, vendor management, and staff development to ensure benefits programs are competitive, cost-effective, and aligned with the agency’s strategic goals. As a member of the Human Resources leadership team, this role helps shape programs that support employee well-being, recruitment, retention, and organizational success.This is an exempt position in salary grade 220: Min – $117,228.80 | Mid – $139,276.80 | Max – $161,304.00/year. The starting salary will be within this range based on qualifications.**This posting will remain open until a candidate is selected.****What You’ll Do*** Lead the administration and strategic direction of employee benefits programs, including health insurance, pension plans, deferred compensation, wellness initiatives, and other benefit offerings* Supervise and develop the benefits section staff, providing leadership, coaching, performance management, and professional development opportunities* Oversee benefits operations, program implementation, audits, compliance activities, and vendor performance management* Develop, update, and implement benefits policies, procedures, and program enhancements to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations* Collaborate with legal counsel, insurance carriers, trustees, and third-party administrators regarding benefits plan administration and program changes* Manage benefits-related contracts, Board actions, procurement activities, and vendor negotiations* Ensure benefits programs integrate effectively with HR systems, including Workday, and support employee self-service functionality* Develop and manage section budgets, monitor expenditures, and support long-term financial planning for benefits programs* Prepare reports, presentations, statistical analyses, and recommendations for executive leadership and the Board of Directors**What We’re Looking For*** Extensive knowledge of employee benefits design, administration, compliance, and industry best practices* Strong leadership and management skills with experience developing high-performing teams* Experience managing complex vendor relationships, contracts, and third-party administrators* Ability to analyze benefits trends, conduct benchmarking studies, and develop data-driven recommendations* Strong understanding of applicable federal and state laws governing employee benefit programs* Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills* Ability to balance employee needs, customer service, and organizational objectives while driving strategic outcomes**Minimum Qualifications:*** Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field or any equivalent combination of education and experience* Minimum five (5) years of professional Human Resources experience in benefits design and administration* Minimum three (3) years of management experience**Highly Desirable Qualifications:*** Master’s degree* Public sector experience* Professional benefits certification* Knowledge of Workday software and employee self-service platforms* Classification and Compensation experience in a public agency environment**Why You’ll Love It Here*** Lead programs that directly impact employee well-being, engagement, and retention* Shape strategic benefits initiatives for one of Southern California’s leading public transportation agencies* Collaborate with executive leadership on innovative HR and workforce strategies* Work in an environment that values service, innovation, integrity, and continuous improvement* Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the employee experience while supporting OCTA’s mission and long-term success**Join a team where innovation, integrity, and strategic thinking are valued.** **Apply now to help shape the future of OCTA’s workforce and employee experience.****OCTA is an equal employment opportunity employer that recruits, hires, and promotes qualified people without regard to race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, disability, genetic information, military and veteran status, or other legally protected status.**