Sr. Benefits Manager

The Post Holdings Total Rewards team works collaboratively to administer benefits plans and programs intended to attract and retain employees across the enterprise. In this role, you will manage the day-to-day operations and administration of various employee benefit programs in the U.S. and Canada, including but not limited to health and welfare programs (medical, dental, prescription drug, well-being, life and disability), retirement (defined contribution and defined benefit), health spending accounts, flexible spending accounts and employee assistance programs, consistent with corporate objectives and Human Resources strategy. You will also serve as a key leader in delivering projects to evaluate and improve operations and administration.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership

• Manage a team of benefits employees and provide guidance to a team of benefits employees through training, coaching, and mentoring.
• Manages projects and day-to-day work in the strategic design, administration, communications, and compliance of benefit programs in the U.S. and Canada, including but not limited to retirement (defined contribution, and defined benefit plans) and health and welfare (medical, dental, prescription drug, well-being, life, and disability) programs.
• Provide project management support in relation to mergers, acquisitions and divestitures
• Trains and onboards employees on policies, programs, processes, and systems.

Administration and Operations

• Manages projects and works across any or all plans listed above, this may include creating presentations and doing financial analysis
• Supports U.S. and Canadian annual open enrollment process with vendors, including developing communications and presentation, system testing of open enrollment system and materials
• Oversees administrative teams with external vendors to ensure work is completed and employee experience is up to standards
• Maintains benefits records and ensuring the accurate and timely payment of monthly vendor bills, and the preparation of benefits related reports
• Identifies data processing criteria, payment and information file needs
• Coordinates and consults with auditors and HRIS team to develop, install and monitor benefits input, employee deductions processing and production of various management and ad hoc reports

Communications

• Assists with the creation of benefits communications and presentation materials to ensure employee understanding and appreciation of benefit programs, often in collaboration with HR Communications, HR Service Delivery, and external communication partners

Conflict Resolution

• Responds to administrative and policy questions escalations
• Resolves highly complex employee benefits issues and partners with HR Service delivery and vendors on issue resolution to ensure quick, equitable and courteous response

Operational Excellence

• Develops and implements administrative automation resulting in efficient operations and processes

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensures compliance with governmental regulations related to benefit programs and labor law, including ERISA, FMLA, and HIPAA. This includes required filings, testing and audits and SOX compliance

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as Business Administration, Education, Finance, Management, Human Resources, Accounting, or Health or equivalent experience

Experience:

• 7 - 10 years of progressive benefits strategic and administrative experience, including at least three years in a senior or lead role.
• Experience in managing the implementation of benefit programs/carriers/vendors, as well as benefit vendor management experience.
• Experience with managing employees

Skills/Knowledge:

• Well-organized with good analytical skills, excellent oral and written communication skills, proactive approach to file handling and caseloads
• Able to work independently as well as within a team environment
• Efficient work habits with a hands-on approach
• Able to manage and prioritize multiple projects
• Must possess strong organizational skills
• Able to identify and resolve problems quickly
• Desire to work independently and cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment
• Creative problem solver who is open to new ideas and new approaches
• Willingness to work with a “one team” mentality

Travel Required:

• Less than 10%