Benefits Manager

The Benefits Manager is responsible for leading the design, implementation, and ongoing administration of the company’s employee benefits programs. This role provides strategic and operational oversight of health and welfare benefits, retirement programs, leave policies, and related offerings, ensuring programs are competitive, compliant, and aligned with organizational goals. The Benefits Manager partners closely with HR leadership, finance, vendors, and external consultants to deliver high-quality benefits that support employee well-being while effectively managing cost, risk, and regulatory requirements.

This position reports to the VP, Human Resources and is located onsite at our Newington, NH facility.

• Independently owns the end-to-end administration of all employee benefit programs, ensuring accurate, timely, and high-quality delivery with minimal direction; serves as the primary subject matter expert and escalation point for benefits-related issues.
• Leads the open enrollment process, including employee communications, negotiations, systems configuration, vendor coordination, and carrier file management.
• Ensures compliance with company policies and all federal and state regulations by maintaining required benefit documentation, filings (including Form 5500s), COBRA administration, and distribution of benefit summaries.
• Manages benefits operations within the HRIS by partnering with HRIS vendors, IT, and carriers to implement plan changes, automate carrier file feeds, and ensure accuracy through system audits.
• Oversees vendor and carrier relationships, monitors performance, and manages benefit payments against the annual budget, including invoice approval and timely reconciliation.
• In partnership with the VP, Human Resources, provides oversight of the 401(k) plan, including governance, committee support, and annual filings, as well as ancillary benefit programs such as tuition reimbursement, service anniversaries, and wellness initiatives.
• Collaborates with the benefits broker to lead annual plan reviews and independently design, implement, and optimize competitive benefits programs aligned with organizational strategy and budget.
• Analyzes benefits data, costs, and market trends to provide actionable insights and recommendations that improve program effectiveness, employee experience, and cost management
• Develops and delivers clear, effective employee communications, including training, policies, procedures, benefits presentations, and supporting materials.
• Supervises benefits department staff in a collaborative, accountable, and results-oriented manner while establishing and continuously improving benefits processes, metrics, and controls.
• Applies a strong understanding of the business environment and legal framework to independently drive benefits programs, projects, and policies that support workforce attraction, retention, and engagement.
• Serves as the primary owner of benefits programs, partnering with business leaders and vendors to ensure required filings, compliance, and operational consistency.

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience managing benefits programs required, 8 years preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a benefits management role required.
• Experience in designing and managing cost efficient domestic and global benefits programs, including but not limited to self-insured and ICHRA medical plans, dental, vision, disability, 401(k) and wellness programs, required.
• Strong financial business acumen with ability to analyze data and develop recommendations for complex problems required. Actuarial experience highly desirable.
• Advanced understanding of rewards regulations, market trends, and program design, as well as legislation that may affect policies/practices, including ACA, ERISA, COBRA, and other applicable Department of Labor (DOL) and/or tax laws.
• Advanced understanding of benefits administration. In-depth knowledge of benefits trends, including new and progressive programs or offerings.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently on complex projects in the benefits area.
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office, including advanced proficiency in Excel, required.
• Knowledge/experience with HRIS benefits administration required, Paycom experience preferred.
• Strong communication skills with ability to work collaboratively and professionally with cross-functional teams.
• Must enjoy working in a fast paced and high-volume position in which multi-tasking is a necessity.
• Ability to exercise discretion, judgment, tact, and poise in handling highly sensitive and confidential information.