Sr. Manager, Benefits, Leaves & Wellbeing

Career Site Header

Job Summary

The Sr. Manager, Benefits, Leaves & Wellbeing is a key leader within the People & Culture function, responsible for designing and overseeing comprehensive programs that support the health, financial wellness and overall wellbeing of employees. This role provides strategic direction and operational oversight across benefits, leave, accommodations, workers’ compensation collaboration, and wellbeing. They ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations while also enhancing the employee experience through integrated and innovative programs.

Job Duties

• Acts as subject matter expert and advisor to senior leadership on trends and risks in benefits, leave, accommodations, workers' compensation integration, and wellbeing (Essential)
• Leads the design, implementation, and management of health, welfare, and retirement benefit programs (medical/Rx, dental, vision, life/AD&D, Short & Long-term Disability, 401(k), supplemental and voluntary benefits, etc.) (Essential)
• Partners with brokers, carriers, and vendors to ensure competitive, cost-effective offerings. (Essential)
• Monitors and ensures compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, CFRA, FLSA and other benefit-related regulations. (Essential)
• Directs the administration of all leave programs including FMLA, ADA, state-specific leaves, military and company-specific programs. (Essential)
• Audits Leave and Accommodation cases to ensure legal compliance with alignment with company standards and policies. (Essential)
• Tracks and reports on leave and accommodation requests, trends, and outcomes. (Essential)
• Regularly evaluates benefit program utilization, effectiveness, and team member feedback to refine offerings. (Essential)
• Oversees annual enrollment, communications, and vendor service delivery (Essential)
• Serves as escalation point for complex leave and accommodation cases requiring judgment and balancing of compliance, business needs, and empathy. (Essential)
• Coordinates team member selection and development and ensures team members comply with appropriate policies and procedures.
• Analyzes benefit costs and clearly communicates insights to stakeholders to support accurate budgeting and forecasting.
• Oversees leave and interactive accommodation processes to ensure consistency, compliance, and service-oriented administration.
• Provides guidance to leave and accommodation specialists, operations leaders and HR on evaluating and implementing reasonable accommodations.
• Acts as the HR liaison with the Workers' Compensation team to ensure coordination with leave and accommodation processes.
• Leads a holistic wellbeing strategy encompassing physical, emotional, social, and financial wellness.
• Collaborates cross-functionally with Team Relations, Payroll, Finance/Accounting, and Operations leadership to support operational excellence and team member care.
• Represents the company in vendor negotiations and in external benchmarking forums.
• Provides backup support for benefits and leave administration.
• Coordinates the efficient maintenance of team member records, including benefits related information.
• Adheres to Suns Timekeeping Policy by reviewing, verifying accuracy, approving and submitting direct report(s) time recorded.
• Partners with Team Relations on team member counseling and recommendation of termination when appropriate.
• Conducts team member performance reviews and recommends compensation adjustments.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in in Human Resources, Business Administration or related field (Required)
• Master's Degree (Preferred)
• 8 years in progressive HR experience, including at least 3 years in an HR management role. (Required)
• 5 years in experience with benefits, compensation, and leave/ADA in a multi-state company with 2000+ employees (Required)
• 5 years in experience reviewing and decisioning accommodation requests under the ADA (Required)
• 3 years in experience preparing non-discrimination testing and annual benefit filings/reports (Required)
• Ability to maintain strict levels of confidentiality
• Ability to respond to business needs after normal business hours.
• Ability to work under minimal supervision
• Advanced computer proficiency
• Advanced proficiency using Microsoft Excel
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing priorities
• Proven analytical skills
• Strong customer service skills
• Exceptional problem-solving and vendor management skills.
• Strong leadership presence, with ability to manage sensitive issues with discretion and empathy.
• Must have a valid driver's license
• Preferred Certifications/Licensures:(Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS))
• Preferred Certifications/Licensures:(Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Society for Human Resource Management-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP))