Senior Manager of Benefits

Socket.dev; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 133,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and prescription drug plans

Dental plan

401k retirement plan with generousMort

Paid time off and holidays

Life, AD&D, and disability insurance

Mental health resources

Tuition reimbursement

Adoption Assistance

Gym Membership Discount Program

Job summary

Mortenson Construction is seeking a Senior Benefits Manager to lead strategy, governance, and administration of health, retirement, and wellbeing programs. You will partner with HR, Finance, Legal, Payroll, Operations, and brokers to ensure compliant, cost-conscious programs aligned with Mortenson's values.

You will build and mentor a high-performing benefits team, oversee annual enrollments, vendor negotiations, and program analytics, delivering a best-in-class total rewards experience for

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, Mathematics, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of eight years of progressive benefits experience.
• Minimum of three years of leadership experience managing professional staff and/or large-scale benefit programs.
• CEBS, SHRM, SPHR, or related professional certification preferred.
• Strong strategic leadership and business acumen.
• Comprehensive knowledge of employee benefit plan design, administration, compliance, and governance.
• Strong financial analysis and budgeting capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and drive organizational change.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to lead through complexity and manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute Mortenson's benefits strategy, ensuring programs align with objectives and Total Rewards philosophy.
• Evaluate market trends, legislation, benchmarking data, and emerging practices to inform strategic recommendations.
• Lead benefit plan design reviews and vendor strategy initiatives to improve program effectiveness and experience.
• Provide leadership for administration of health, welfare, retirement, leave, wellbeing, and recognition programs.
• Establish operational controls, service standards, and performance metrics for plan administration.
• Lead annual enrollment activities and ongoing benefit program implementation.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with brokers, carriers, recordkeepers, and other providers.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, COBRA, FMLA and retirement plan requirements.
• Lead development of benefit communication and engagement strategies to improve utilization.
• Champion initiatives that enhance employee wellbeing and Total Rewards engagement.
• Manage budgets, forecasting, financial reporting, and cost management.
• Analyze plan utilization and vendor performance to identify improvement opportunities.
• Develop recommendations balancing financial sustainability with competitive offerings.
• Lead, coach, and develop benefits team, establishing goals and development plans.
• Build organizational capability and succession strength within Benefits.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Financial analysis

Vendor management

Regulatory compliance

Influence senior leaders

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR, business, finance, mathematics or related field

CEBS/SHRM/SPHR certification preferred

Tools

None

Job description

SUMMARY

The Senior Benefits Manager will provide strategic leadership, governance, and oversight for Mortenson's health, welfare, leave of absence, retirement, wellbeing, and recognition programs. Lead the development, implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of benefit programs that support Mortenson's business objectives, reinforce company culture, and deliver a competitive and engaging team member experience.

This person will serve as the primary leader for benefit strategy, vendor management, compliance, financial stewardship, and team member engagement while developing and leading a high-performing benefits team. Partner closely with HR, Finance, Legal, Payroll, Operations, and external vendors to ensure effective administration and continuous evolution of benefit programs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Benefits Strategy and Leadership

• Develop and execute Mortenson's benefits strategy, ensuring programs align with organizational objectives, workforce needs, and Total Rewards philosophy.
• Evaluate market trends, legislative developments, benchmarking data, and emerging benefit practices to inform strategic recommendations.
• Lead benefit plan design reviews and vendor strategy initiatives that improve program effectiveness, team member experience, and organizational outcomes.

Benefits Administration and Operations

• Provide leadership and oversight for administration of health, welfare, retirement, leave, wellbeing, and recognition programs.
• Establish operational controls, service standards, and performance metrics to support efficient plan administration.
• Lead annual enrollment activities and ongoing benefit program implementation efforts.

Vendor Management

• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with brokers, consultants, carriers, recordkeepers, wellbeing vendors, and other benefit service providers.
• Lead vendor selection, contract negotiations, performance evaluations, and renewal strategies.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations including ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, COBRA, FMLA, paid leave programs, and retirement plan requirements.

Team Member Experience and Communications

• Lead development of benefit communication and engagement strategies that improve understanding, appreciation, and utilization of programs.
• Champion initiatives that enhance employee wellbeing, mental health, financial wellness, and overall Total Rewards engagement.

Financial Stewardship

• Manage benefit program budgets, forecasting, financial reporting, and cost management initiatives
• Analyze plan utilization, financial trends, and vendor performance to identify improvement opportunities.
• Develop recommendations that balance financial sustainability with competitive program offerings.

Leadership and Talent Development

• Lead, coach, and develop benefits team members while creating a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Establish team goals, priorities, and development plans.
• Build organizational capability and succession strength within the Benefits function.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, Mathematics, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of eight years of progressive benefits experience.
• Minimum of three years of leadership experience managing professional staff and/or large-scale benefit programs.
• CEBS, SHRM, SPHR, or related professional certification preferred.
• Strong strategic leadership and business acumen.
• Comprehensive knowledge of employee benefit plan design, administration, compliance, and governance.
• Strong financial analysis and budgeting capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and drive organizational change.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to lead through complexity and manage multiple priorities.

A few benefits offered include:

(for Non-Craft & Non-Union Craft working 25+ hours / week)

• Medical and prescription drug plans that includes no additional cost vision coverage
• Dental plan
• 401k retirement plan with a generous Mortenson match
• Paid time off, holidays, and other paid leaves
• Employer paid Life, AD&D, and disability insurance
• No-Cost mental health tool and conciergewith extensive work-life resources
• Tuition reimbursement
• Adoption Assistance
• Gym Membership Discount Program

The base pay range for this role is $133,200 - $199,800. (Actual range is higher for the following office locations: Denver, CO and Chicago, IL - 5%, Seattle, WA, and Portland, OR - 10%, Washington, D.C. - 12.5%).

Base pay is positioned within the range based on several factors including an individual's knowledge, skills, and experience, with consideration given to internal equity. This position is eligible for Mortenson's incentive plan.

Please make note:

• Visa sponsorship is not offered for this position.

ABOUT MORTENSON

As a top builder, developer, and EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction), our expertise spans markets like sports, renewable energy, data centers, healthcare, and more. We are builders at heart, working to ensure the built environment has a lasting positive impact.

Let's Redefine Possible

Equal Employment Opportunity

Your uniqueness brings new and creative perspectives to the team. Mortenson is committed to providing equal opportunities of employment (EOE) to all individuals, regardless of your race, religion, gender, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status or any other legally protected category.

Other Items to Note

• Must be currently legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status, 0-1, TN, CPT, OPT, etc.). We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.