Strategic Benefits Program Lead

University of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Healthcare benefits

Job summary

University of Utah Health is seeking a Strategic Benefits Program Manager to lead the design and governance of health and welfare benefit programs. You will act as a COE liaison across Shared Services, Communications, vendors, and HR partners, translating strategy into operational requirements and driving program improvements.

The role emphasizes open enrollment strategy, cost management, and employee engagement while ensuring regulatory compliance (ERISA/ACA).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, Finance, or health administration or equivalent.
• Eight or more years of progressive experience in employee benefits or benefits consulting.
• Experience designing or managing benefit programs, policy interpretation, or large initiatives.
• Experience collaborating with Shared Services, HRIS, Payroll, Finance, Legal, Communications, and external vendors.
• Proven ability to lead projects, analyze complex issues, and develop actionable recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned benefit program portfolios and align with strategy and employee needs.
• Evaluate program effectiveness, vendor performance, and cost implications.
• Conduct benchmarking, gap analysis, and research to support recommendations.
• Develop program options, implementation plans, timelines, and leadership recommendations.
• Translate strategy into operational requirements across systems, vendors, and communications.
• Coordinate vendor, broker, and consultant interactions and support implementations.

Skills

Benefits leadership

Vendor management

Policy compliance

Stakeholder collaboration

Program analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Workday

PeopleSoft

Job description

University of Utah Health is seeking a Strategic Benefits Program Manager to lead the design and governance of health and welfare benefit programs. You will act as a COE liaison across Shared Services, Communications, vendors, and HR partners, translating strategy into operational requirements and driving program improvements.

The role emphasizes open enrollment strategy, cost management, and employee engagement while ensuring regulatory compliance (ERISA/ACA).