Description

Position Summary:

The Benefits Program Manager supports the design, administration, and evaluation of Adena Health’s employee benefits programs, including disability and leave management. The Benefits Program Manager is the Subject Matter Expert (SME) serving as Adena Health’s primary authority on health, welfare, retirement, and leave programs. This role provides high-level guidance, advanced problem[1]solving, and strategic recommendations to ensure benefit programs are competitive, compliant, and aligned with organizational priorities. As the SME for Disability Management this role provides strategic guidance, expert-level case support, regulatory interpretation, and process oversight to ensure disability and leave programs are compliant, efficient, and supportive of caregivers. The Benefits Program Manager works with HR, leadership, vendors, legal, and other key stakeholders to deliver a high-quality caregiver experience and optimize benefits operations. 

Job Specific Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for clear and effective interactions with diverse stakeholders. 
• The ability to build rapport and work effectively with individuals from various backgrounds and abilities. 
• Ability to lead complex projects and initiatives.
• Strong administrative and organizational abilities to manage workload, prioritize tasks, and handle high volumes of work. 
• Innovative problem-solving skills to identify and address challenges related to disability management and the return-to-work processes.
• Strong understanding of benefits principles, trends, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Ability to interpret complex data, analyze financial reports, and solve complex issues. Proficiency in Microsoft Office. 
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail is crucial for benefits administration. Job Specific Essential Functions Strategic Benefits Support:
• Analyze health, welfare, retirement, and disability benefit utilization and cost drivers to recommend design enhancements and strategic improvements.
• Conduct modeling and financial analysis to support plan renewals, long-term budgeting, and competitive market positioning.
• Research industry trends, legislative updates, and emerging best practices across medical, retirement, and disability benefits. 
• Partner with leadership to develop multi-year strategies for benefit offerings, caregiver engagement, and cost optimization. Data Analysis & Reporting: 
• Build robust analytics dashboards for monitoring claims, retirement plan participation, contribution trends, disability claims volumes and reasons, and vendor performance.
• Perform detailed audits of eligibility, payroll deductions, retirement plan contributions, and disability claims payments.
• Present data-driven insights and recommendations to HR leadership, Finance, and cross[1]functional stakeholders. Retirement Program Management:
• Serve as internal expert for 403(b), 457(b), 457(f), and other retirement programs.
• Monitor plan performance, participation rates, auto-enrollment effectiveness, and overall financial wellness indicators. 
• Partner with vendors on annual plan reviews, fee benchmarking, fund changes, and fiduciary governance. 
• Support compliance requirements including nondiscrimination testing, audit support, and review of the annual Form 5500. 
• Lead or support financial well-being initiatives, caregiver education campaigns, and retirement readiness workshops. 
• Manage submissions of ongoing contribution files for retirement programs. Disability & Leave Program Management:
• Oversee Short-Term Disability (STD), Long-Term Disability (LTD), and related income-protection plans. 
• Monitor disability claim trends, approval/denial metrics, return-to-work timelines, and vendor service-level adherence. 
• Evaluate integration opportunities between disability, leave of absence, and accommodations processes and serve as Adena’s subject matter expert on these topics.
• Provide high-level guidance and consultation to HR partners, managers, and leaders on disability, leave regulations, and best practices.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local leave laws, ensuring policies and practices remain compliant and current. 
• Support policy development and recommend program enhancements based on trends, benchmarking, and regulatory updates. 
• Provide expert-level support for complex, high-risk, or sensitive disability and leave cases. 
• Work to resolve escalated claims or administrative issues. ADA Accommodations:
• Lead or support the interactive process for ADA accommodations. 
• Advise managers and HR Business Partners on effective, compliant accommodation practices. 
• Work with Employee Health to review medical documentation and evaluate reasonable accommodation options that balance caregiver needs with operational requirements.
• Ensure consistent, timely handling of all accommodation cases. Program Ownership & Enhancement: 
• Lead or co-lead strategic projects such as dependent eligibility audits, cost modeling for plan redesign, and vendor transitions.
• Evaluate new benefit offerings and enhancements – including disability, retirement, and voluntary benefits – for feasibility and impact.
• In partnership with HRIS, support UAT, documentation, and implementation activities for benefits-related system changes and integrations. Vendor & Stakeholder Management: 
• Act as primary escalation point for all benefit vendors, ensuring service delivery meets expectations.
• Participate in RFPs, vendor scorecards, quarterly business reviews, and renewal negotiations. 
• Provide consultative guidance to HR Business Partners, Payroll, Finance, and Talent Acquisition. Caregiver Experience & Communication: 
• Create clear, engaging benefit communications, including plan guides, webinars, retirement materials, and disability programs education.
• Conduct benefits orientation, retirement planning workshops, and informational sessions for caregivers and leaders. 
• Provide expert support on complex eligibility, retirement plan, and disability claims scenarios. Compliance Management: 
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, Section 125, FMLA, and retirement plan regulatory requirements. 
• Support or lead filing activities, nondiscrimination testing, plan audits, and documentation.
• Maintain SOPs, process maps, and other materials across health, welfare, retirement, and disability programs.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications Required Educational Degree: Bachelor's Degree 

Major/Area of Concentration: Human Resources, Business or related Preferred Education:

 Required Certifications, Credentials and Licenses: De-escalation training within 6 months. 

Required Experience: 4-7 years of hands-on benefits experience, including exposure to health & welfare, retirement, or disability programs. Strong understanding of ERISA, retirement plan rules, disability benefits, and related regulatory frameworks. 

Preferred Experience: Healthcare human resources focused on benefits experience preferred.