Senior Benefits Manager

TalentAlly; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 107,000 - 147,000; Full time

Job summary

Ameriprise Financial is seeking a Senior Benefits Manager to design, manage and optimize U.S. health and welfare programs. You will collaborate with HR, Finance, Legal, Payroll and Communications to ensure compliant, high‑quality benefits experiences across the organization.

In this role, you’ll balance strategy, governance and vendor relationships in a complex environment, while driving insights from plan performance and utilization data to informed business decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 7+ years of experience in employee benefits, with significant expertise in health and wellness programs.
• Experience managing complex benefit plans within a corporate environment.
• Proven ability to build and manage relationships with consultants, vendors, administrators, and other external partners.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen, including experience evaluating program costs and developing data‑driven recommendations.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Experience with AI and its application in managing and designing employee benefit programs.
• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to simplify complex topics and engage a variety of audiences.

Responsibilities

• Governance and ongoing management of multiple health and well‑being benefit programs, ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Provide oversight of external vendors, consultants, administrators, and service providers to drive program delivery and employee experience.
• Evaluate benefit program designs and recommend enhancements aligned with objectives, needs and market trends.
• Partner with HR, Payroll, Finance, Legal and Communications to implement program changes and resolve issues.
• Analyze plan performance, costs and utilization to inform business decisions.
• Support governance and risk management activities, including plan documentation, regulatory reporting, audits, and SOX controls.
• Develop and execute communication strategies that market our benefit offerings and educate employees.
• Lead the marketing and education efforts of benefit offerings, including annual enrollment.
• Research emerging trends to keep Ameriprise competitive in attracting and retaining talent.

Job description

About Our Company

We're a diversified financial services leader with more than $1.5 trillion in assets under management, administration and advisement as of year-end 2024. Our team of 22,000 people across 19 countries, serves more than 3.5 million individual, small business and institutional clients. We are a longstanding leader in financial planning and advice, a global asset manager and an insurer. Our unwavering focus on our clients and strong financial foundation connects each of our unique businesses - Ameriprise Financial, Columbia Threadneedle Investments and RiverSource Insurance and Annuities. Here, we foster meaningful careers, invest in the future, and make a difference for clients, institutions and communities around the world.

Job Description

Help shape the employee experience through innovative and impactful benefits programs. At Ameriprise Financial, we believe our people are our greatest asset. As a Senior Benefits Manager, you'll assist in designing, managing and enhancing U.S. health and welfare benefits that support the well‑being of our employees and their families. You'll partner with HR, Finance, Legal, Payroll and Communications while ensuring compliance and delivering high‑quality benefits experience across the organization. This is an opportunity for a collaborative and analytical benefits professional who enjoys balancing strategy, governance, vendor management and employee experience in a complex and evolving environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for governance and ongoing management of multiple health and well‑being benefit programs, ensuring operational excellence and compliance with applicable federal, state and local regulations.
• Provide oversight of external vendors, consultants, administrators, and service providers to drive effective program delivery, strong service performance, and exceptional employee experience.
• Evaluate benefit program designs and recommend enhancements that align with business objectives, employee needs, market trends and financial considerations.
• Partner with internal stakeholders across HR, Payroll, Finance, Legal and Communications to implement program changes, resolve issues and support broader benefits initiatives.
• Analyze benefit plan performance, costs and utilization trends to develop insights and recommendations that inform business decisions.
• Support governance and risk management activities, including plan documentation, regulatory reporting, audits, and Sarbanes‑Oxley related controls.
• Develop and execute communication strategies that market our benefit offerings and educate employees about available benefits, reinforcing the value of Ameriprise's total rewards offering.
• Lead the marketing and employee education efforts of our benefit offerings, including annual enrollment communications, benefit launches, and ongoing campaigns.
• Research emerging benefits trends and market practices to help ensure Ameriprise remains competitive in attracting and retaining top talent.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 7+ years of experience in employee benefits, with significant expertise in health and wellness programs.
• Experience managing complex benefit plans within a corporate environment.
• Proven ability to build and manage relationships with consultants, vendors, administrators, and other external partners.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen, including experience evaluating program costs and developing data‑driven recommendations.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Experience with AI and its application in managing and designing employee benefit programs.
• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to simplify complex topics and engage a variety of audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading complex projects and cross‑functional initiatives.
• Experience managing large, complex health and welfare programs.
• Ability to influence and partner effectively with senior leaders and key stakeholders.
• Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designation.
• Experience working in a highly regulated environment.

In‑Office Collaboration

We are a client‑centric, relationship‑based business. Working together, in‑person, is foundational to how we achieve results. By fostering a culture of face‑to‑face collaboration, idea sharing, productivity and personal connection, we deliver for our stakeholders – clients, advisors, employees and shareholders. Our employees work in the office at least four (4) days per week, with flexibility to work from home one (1) day per week. Some roles may require additional in‑office time or different in‑office expectations, and specific requirements will be discussed during the hiring process.

Visa Sponsorship

Applicants must have a valid work authorization that does not now, or in the future, require visa sponsorship for employment in the United States (e.g., H-1B, F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, TN).

Base Pay Salary

The estimated base salary for this role is $107,000 - $147,100/ year. We have a pay‑for‑performance compensation philosophy. Your initial total compensation may vary based on job‑related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographical work location. In addition, most of our roles are eligible for variable pay in the form of bonus, commissions, and/or long‑term incentives depending on the role. We also have a competitive and comprehensive benefits program that supports all aspects of your health and well‑being, including but not limited to vacation time, sick time, 401(k), and health, dental and life insurances.

Full‑Time/Part‑Time

• Full time
• Exempt/Non-Exempt
• Exempt

Job Family GroupHuman CapitalLine of BusinessHR Human Resources

Ameriprise Financial is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, military status, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship, disability status, marital status, family status or any other basis prohibited by law.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for individuals with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, speak to your recruiter to discuss how we can support you.

VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

We request Priority Protected Veteran & Disabled Referrals for all of our locations within the state.