Benefits Manager

Job Title: Benefits Manager

Department: Human Resources
Reports To: Vice President of Human Resources

Classification: Full-Time, Exempt
Work Location: Corporate Office with Travel to Facilities as Needed

Position Summary

The Benefits Manager is responsible for managing and developing the entire benefits function across all 35 Skilled Nursing Facilities in California. This is a strategic leadership role that ensures consistent, compliant, and cost-effective administration of all health, welfare, leave, and retirement programs.

This position plays a critical role in driving a culture of excellence and continuous improvement across all regions. The Benefits Manager partners with regional HR and operations leaders to ensure the organization’s benefits programs support employee well-being, retention, and engagement. This role also provides oversight of retirement planning and serves as the subject matter expert for all benefits-related initiatives.

Position Purpose

The Benefits Manager ensures the alignment of all benefits and retirement programs with Cambridge Healthcare Services’ strategic goals, driving operational excellence, compliance, and consistency across all 35 facilities to support employee well-being, engagement, and retention.

Essential Functions

• Lead the design, implementation, and administration of employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and voluntary benefits.

• Manage and oversee all leave of absence programs (FMLA, CFRA, PDL, ADA) to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.

• Direct and supervise the Benefits and Retirement Administration team, providing coaching, development, and performance management.

• Serve as the company’s expert resource for all benefits-related matters, providing guidance to leadership, HR Business Partners, and facility administrators.

• Manage the annual open enrollment process, including vendor coordination, system setup, employee communication, and issue resolution.

• Oversee all benefits-related reporting, billing, and audits to ensure accuracy and compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, and COBRA requirements.

• Evaluate benefits trends, benchmark data, and vendor performance to ensure Cambridge Healthcare Services remains competitive and cost-effective.

• Partner with brokers and third-party administrators to identify opportunities for plan improvement and cost containment.

• Oversee the retirement plan administration, ensuring compliance with IRS and DOL regulations, and serve as the primary liaison for plan audits and filings.

• Collaborate with HR leadership to integrate benefits strategy with organizational goals, employee engagement, and total rewards initiatives.

• Periodic travel to facilities is required.

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies these are the only duties you will be required to perform as directed by management. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred.

• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive experience in benefits of administration, including leadership responsibility for multiple locations or regions.

• Healthcare or long-term care industry experience preferred.

• Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state benefits laws (ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, CFRA, FMLA).

• Strong analytical, project management, and problem-solving skills.

• Advanced proficiency in Excel and HRIS systems.

Core Competencies

• Strategic leadership and team development.

• Expert-level understanding of benefits of design, compliance, and vendor management.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.

• Strong interpersonal and presentation skills for all levels of leadership.

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

• May encounter frequent interruptions

• May be involved with residents, family and government agencies

• May be requested to work beyond scheduled working hours at times

• Primarily office-based with travel to facilities as needed.

• Must be able to sit or stand for extended periods and use standard office equipment.

• Occasional lifting up to 25 lbs. may be required.