Strategic Benefits Manager for Higher Ed

Linfield University; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Linfield University seeks an experienced Benefits Manager to own and optimize employee benefit programs. You will lead administration, compliance, data analysis, and program improvements in collaboration with HR, Payroll, Finance, brokers, and carriers.

Responsibilities include renewals, enrollment, vendor coordination, and ensuring accurate deductions and employer contributions across multiple systems. This role requires strong communication, analytical, and project management skills in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, Finance or related field; minimum five years in employee benefits.
• Experience administering health, welfare, and retirement programs and related compliance.
• Knowledge of ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, FMLA and related requirements.
• Experience with benefit reconciliation, data auditing, enrollment, and vendor management.
• Ability to work with HRIS, payroll, and carrier systems to resolve data discrepancies.

Responsibilities

• Owns administration and compliance of employee benefit and retirement programs.
• Leads renewal, open enrollment, plan evaluation, and communications.
• Analyzes utilization, cost data, and benchmarking to advise on plan design and costs.
• Ensures data integrity across HRIS, payroll, carriers, and vendors.
• Coordinates with brokers, carriers, and third parties to ensure service levels.

Skills

Benefits administration

ERISA compliance

Data analysis

Vendor management

HRIS data reconciliation

Communication

Project management

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business/Finance

Tools

HRIS systems

Payroll systems

Carrier systems

Job description

Linfield University seeks an experienced Benefits Manager to own and optimize employee benefit programs. You will lead administration, compliance, data analysis, and program improvements in collaboration with HR, Payroll, Finance, brokers, and carriers.

Responsibilities include renewals, enrollment, vendor coordination, and ensuring accurate deductions and employer contributions across multiple systems. This role requires strong communication, analytical, and project management skills in a