Benefits Manager

At Lands' End, we are on a mission to create a more comfortable world. We care about our employees, our community, and our planet. People are the heart of our company, and our doors are open to everyone. We are committed to creating a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for all. Our strength in work and life comes from the combination of our experiences, backgrounds, and talents. It's what we do as people that makes Lands' End a great place to work. As the Benefits Manager at Lands' End, you will lead the company's benefits administration, direction, and strategy, ensuring that all benefit programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, wellness initiatives, and other employee benefits, are efficiently managed and compliant with regulatory requirements. You will manage a team of Benefits Analysts, Specialists and Assistants, fostering a collaborative environment that promotes employee satisfaction and engagement. This position is based in Dodgeville, WI. and currently follows a hybrid schedule with three weeks per month onsite (Monday - Thursday onsite, Fridays remote) and the 4th week is also remote. Ability to travel 1-2 days per quarter to Reedsburg and Stevens Point, WI locations. Benefits Administration: Manage and administer employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, retirement plans, wellness programs, and other voluntary benefits. Conduct regular reviews of benefits programs to ensure competitive offerings that attract and retain talent. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations including ACA, HIPAA, and ERISA. Manage open enrollment processes and provide guidance on the implementation of new benefits programs or changes. Act as the escalation point for complex benefits inquiries from employees and provide resolutions in a timely manner. Vendor & Budget Management: Manage relationships with benefits vendors, brokers, and insurance providers, ensuring quality service delivery. Work with benefits broker to negotiate contracts and pricing to optimize benefit plan offerings within budget constraints. Monitor benefit costs and budget forecasts, identifying opportunities for cost savings without compromising benefit quality. Data Management & Reporting: Oversee the accurate maintenance of employee benefits records in HRIS systems. Generate regular reports on benefit plan performance, utilization, and costs for senior management review. Identify trends and propose recommendations to improve benefit offerings based on data analysis. Strategic Initiatives: Work closely with HR leadership to develop long-term benefits strategies that align with the company's overall business objectives. Lead wellness and employee engagement programs to promote a healthy and productive workforce. Stay current on industry trends and emerging benefits solutions to enhance the company's competitive position in attracting and retaining talent. Skills Strong knowledge of employee benefits programs and related legal requirements (ACA, HIPAA, ERISA). Experience with benefits-related software (HRIS) and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite. Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills. Proven ability to lead a team and manage multiple projects simultaneously. Leadership Responsibilities: Oversee the benefits team providing coaching, guidance, and performance management to ensure professional development and high levels of productivity. Lead the benefits team in the execution of all benefits-related activities, ensuring alignment with company goals and employee needs. Develop and implement training programs to keep the team updated on benefits policies, regulations, and best practices. Foster a collaborative and positive work environment. Set performance expectations and goals for team members. Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback. Identify and address performance issues through coaching and disciplinary actions when necessary. Participate and recruitment and onboarding of new team members, as needed. Identify training needs within the team and coordinate relevant development programs, encourage continuous learning and skill development among team members. Serve as liaison between upper management and team, conveying organizational goals and expectations. Address conflicts or issues within the team promptly and effectively. Manage team resources, including workload distribution and project assignments. Ensure optimal utilization of team member's skills and expertise. Collaborate with upper management to establish team goals aligned with organizational objectives. Contribute to the development and implementation of department strategies. Education & Experience Requirements Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field. 5+ years of experience in benefits administration, with at least 2 years in a managerial role. Professional certifications such as CEBS, PHR, or SPHR preferred. Experienced with wellness program development and implementation preferred. Experienced managing benefit programs in a mid-sized to large company. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Created: 2024-11-05