Senior Benefits Manager

Make banking a Fifth Third better® We connect great people to great opportunities. Are you ready to take the next step? Discover a career in banking at Fifth Third Bank.

The Senior Benefits Manager is responsible for leading the strategy, administration, compliance, vendor management, and continuous improvement of the Bank’s health and welfare benefit programs. The position ensures the operational excellence, financial stewardship, and regulatory compliance of complex benefit plans while serving as a subject matter expert and strategic partner to HR leadership, employees, and cross‑functional teams.

Please see below for specific responsibilities and requirements for this role.

The responsibilities for this role are below; you may support projects of varying complexity based on skill and organizational priorities.

• Lead the administration, design, and delivery of complex health and welfare benefit plans.

• Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations; oversee audits and legal review processes.

• Develop and execute comprehensive benefits communication and marketing strategy to increase employee awareness, understanding, and utilization of available programs.

• Lead and coordinate the full vendor onboarding process, ensuring all governance, risk, compliance, and operational requirements are completed accurately and efficiently.

• Manage end‑to‑end vendor relationships including RFP processes, selection, contracting, negotiations, vendor due diligence, and ongoing performance management.

• Partner with internal teams and external providers to ensure seamless implementation and service delivery.

• Conduct detailed benefits-related data analysis, including partnering with health care consultants and actuaries on cost modeling, forecasting, and experience reporting.

• Use analytical insights to recommend plan design changes, cost‑savings opportunities, and process improvements.

• Supervise and mentor team members to support development and performance excellence.

• Foster an environment of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.

• Support due diligence, integration planning, and transition activities related to M&A activity, ensuring benefits alignment and compliance.

• Build strong working relationships and influence stakeholders across all levels of the organization.

• Collaborate with HR, Legal, Finance, Payroll, and additional internal partners to ensure consistent benefit program execution.

• Provide expert‑level support in resolving complex employee benefit issues.

• Identify root causes and implement sustainable process improvements.

• Utilize Microsoft Office products, including advanced Excel and Access Database capabilities, to manage data and reporting needs.

Other Duties:
Performing other duties as assigned, adapting to new tasks or shifts in priorities as necessary to support your team’s and the company’s mission.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.

• Ten or more years of experience leading Benefits administration.

• Five or more years’ leadership experience.

• Experience administering and managing complex health and welfare plans.

• Experience working in environments requiring both individual accountability and strong team collaboration.

Qualified candidates will possess an advanced degree of proficiency (typically from 10 years of work or practical experience), in:

• Benefits Administration:
  Managing complex health and welfare plans with regulatory and operational accuracy.

• Analytical
  
  Skills:
  
  Conducting detailed data analysis, working with health care actuaries, and interpreting financial modeling.

• Vendor Management:
  Leading RFPs, negotiating contracts, performing due diligence, and overseeing vendor performance.

• Supervisory Leadership:
  Coaching, managing, and developing team members.

• Microsoft Office Tools:
  Using Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access Database in advanced applications.

• Attention to Detail:
  Ensuring accuracy and precision in plan…