Benefits Manager

The Benefits Manager, reporting to the VP, People Operations is responsible for managing the day-to-day priorities for health and welfare benefits. The role is hands-on, where you'll be contributing to the overall administration and management of employee benefits programs that offer value to our associates. This person will manage and develop a benefits team that is an integral part of the organization.

**Please note, this is a tempoary contract assignment covering a leave of absence** 

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Working with the Director, devise, develop and implement a strategic plan for health & welfare benefits that aligns with business strategy and responds to the requirements of the region and supports future organizational business requirements.
• Responsible for overseeing team’s administration of benefits plans including health & welfare, retirement plans, pension plans, workers compensation, leave management, flexible spending accounts and dependent care accounts, and COBRA
• Counsel managers, directors and executives across all departments on benefit matters including leave management, worker’s compensation, OSHA regulations, 401(k) Defined Contribution Plan, 1165e Employee Savings Plan (Puerto Rico), and Defined Benefit Plan.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to staff relative to benefit recommendations, policies and processes.  Makes decisions within area of responsibility.
• Continually research, evaluate and recommend products and services to better employee’s benefits experience. Establish and maintain effective relationships with benefits vendors and consultants. Ensure that the administration of plans is effective and efficient.
• Oversees the leave of absence management program: Devise, develop and implement policies that align with business objectives and ensure Federal, State and Local compliance. Ensure HIPAA compliance is maintained at all times and employee’s privacy is respected at all times. Knowledge of Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state/local laws (i.e. MA and CA leave management).
• Oversees the workers compensation processes and policies but are not limited to: annual renewal process, claims management, and advising on settlements and strategic plan to reduce future liability.
• Manage the benefit programs under Ancillary/America’s Lifestyle Benefits. Create and communicate policies guidelines for all plans including: Employee Assistance Program, computer purchase program, tuition reimbursement program, transportation program, etc.
• Manages all aspects of the 401(k) US and 1165e Puerto Rico Plan.  This includes managing the daily administration which includes but not limited to employee deferral elections, employee loans and payroll files.  Liaison with the finance team to ensure payroll deduction files are reconciled.  Influencing and managing employee communications and education.  Responsible for legal compliance which includes but not limited to annual non-discrimination testing and required participant notices (over 50 catch-up notices).  Responsible for the yearly audit.
• Manage administration of the pension plan. This includes but is not limited to: Acting as the liaison with the pension vendor to request pension calculations for employees (active & termed); educating eligible employees on distribution options, processing requested elections, providing monthly payment for non-qualified plan, providing year-end compensation for eligible participants, annually providing retiree ID cards, and maintaining records for pension eligible and active participants.  Assist with year-end audit.  Responsible for all necessary compliance at Federal and state levels.
• In conjunction with the Director, manage the Annual Open Enrollment process including RFP’s, vendor coordination, and preparation and announcement of material and related information.
• Oversee the Flexible Spending Account/Health Savings Account administration. Provide vendor necessary information for annual renewal process; this includes providing changes to Health & Welfare plan co-pays and deductibles.  Provide payroll information for election processing.
• Direct, manage and develop a high performing benefits team – setting objectives, appraising performance and coaching the team. Manage the benefits team responsible for health & welfare plans and retirement plans.

What You’ll Bring with You:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, HR or related field preferred
• A minimum of 5-7 years of strong benefits experience required, with experience managing a team.
• PHR, CBP, CEBS Certification preferred
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations, filing and compliance requirements that apply to benefit programs (ERISA, FMLA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, Section 125)
• Knowledge of leave management/leave compliance: Short & Long Term Disability, FLMA, Workers compensation, paid sick leave, and state family & medical leaves.
• Knowledge of Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution Plan Administration
• HRIS Benefits Administration Systems
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and workflow
• Successful vendor relationship/management
• Implementation of benefits systems
• Knowledge of ADP products/systems (Enterprise Version 4/POS, Report Writer, Health & Welfare Self Service Portal)
• External Project Management
• High level problem solving
• Business/strategic planning
• Business case development
• Negotiation skills

About Clarks

Clarks, based in Somerset, England, has been at the forefront of innovative shoemaking since its foundation in 1825, when brothers James and Cyrus Clark made a slipper from sheepskin off-cuts. At the time it was ground-breaking: a combination of invention and craftsmanship that has remained at the heart of what the brand does now. In the Clarks archive of more than 22,000 pairs are shoes that have sparked revolutions and defined generations. From the original Clarks Desert Boot, first designed by Nathan Clark and launched in 1950, to the iconic Wallabee, each design has an instantly recognizable signature that makes it unmistakably Clarks.

This season, we’re proud to introduce the Clarks Collective: five incredible activists championing authentic social change. From mental health awareness and LGBTQ+ rights to greater racial equality, these trailblazers are committed to creating a brighter future for us all – bringing to life Clarks’ new global campaign, For the World Ahead. Through spotlighting their stories and supporting their chosen charities and initiatives, we’re ready to lead the way. After all, we’re originators, not imitators. It’s who we are, who we’ve always been. And to change the world of tomorrow, we’re doing things differently today.

As a global employer, Clarks is committed to embracing diversity throughout our workforce by creating an inclusive environment that reflects the many cultures and locations where we work. We strive to create a productive environment which everyone has an equal chance to succeed at all levels through the organisation. We will not discriminate on the basis of sex, age ,disability, marital status, color, race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation or gender re-assignment’, complying  with local legislative requirements.