Job Title: Senior Benefits Manager

Location: United States

Salary/Payrate: $150K – 200K/year plus bonus and AWESOME benefits!!!

Work Environment: Hybrid (4 days onsite / 1 day WFH)

Term: Permanent

Bachelor’s degree required:  No – Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, finance or a related field or equivalent experience leading a benefits team or function

Referral Fee: AMS will pay $500 should the person you refer gets hired

Job Description:

The Senior Benefits Manager is responsible for the strategic planning, design, administration, and communication of the law firm’s health, welfare, and retirement benefit programs and intranet updates on the firm’s system. This role ensures benefits offerings are competitive, compliant, and aligned with the firm’s values and talent strategy to attract and retain top legal and professional staff. The director of benefits will also be responsible for managing the performance and development of the Benefits Team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the daily management and strategy of all firm wide benefits programs, including self-insured medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, group and individual long-term disability, life insurance, wellness and employee assistance programs, retirement plans, leave policies, and voluntary benefits.
• Partner with firm leadership, Finance, and HR colleagues to align benefits programs with business needs, talent priorities, and budget considerations.
• Oversee vendor relationships, renewals, plan design, and implementation of new programs and enhancements.
• Monitor industry trends, legal and regulatory changes (e.g., ERISA, ACA, HIPAA), and best practices to ensure compliance and maintain competitive offerings.
• Serve as the primary resource and subject matter expert on benefits, wellness programs, and leave policies firm wide.
• Lead annual open enrollment, including communications, training sessions, and system updates.
• Oversee benefits compliance processes, including plan audits, nondiscrimination testing, Form 5500 filings, 401k plan and distribution of required notices.
• Develop and deliver clear benefits communications to help employees and partners understand and maximize their benefits.
• Supervise and develop benefits team members to deliver high-quality service across all offices.
• Regularly analyze benefits utilization, costs, and employee feedback to recommend improvements.
• Oversee preparation of reports and applications required by law to be filed with federal and state agencies, such as Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor, insurance commissioners, and other regulatory agencies.
• Verifies the calculation of the monthly/quarterly premiums for all benefit plans relative to premiums, claims, and costs. Works with Payroll and HRIS Administrator coordinating the Benefit deductions and reports.
• Provides back-up support for the 401(k)/Pension Administrator who is responsible for the firmwide operations of the Cash Balance and 401(k)/Profit Sharing plans.
• Work with the Pension & Benefits Committee, to track, review and understand changes to applicable federal and state regulations and legislation; schedule quarterly meetings, prepare agenda, distribute materials, prepare minutes, and file materials.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, finance or a related field or equivalent experience leading a benefits team or function.
• 8–10+ years of progressively responsible benefits experience; law firm, professional services, or partnership environment strongly preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of applicable federal and state benefits laws, compliance requirements and regulations (e.g., ERISA, ACA, HIPAA).
• Experience designing and administering benefits plans in a multi-office or multi-state environment.
• Proficient in Excel
• Strong project management, vendor management, and analytical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to explain complex benefits topics to diverse employee populations.
• HRIS system conversion/implementation experience strongly preferred
• Certification such as CEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist) or similar credential preferred but not required
• SHRM-SCP certification strongly preferred