THE OPPORTUNITY

• Are you passionate about creating exceptional employee experiences through innovative benefits programs?
• Do you have multi-state benefits experience including California?
• Are you self-motivated and collaborative with strong communication skills?
• Are you ready to make a lasting impact on a dynamic, fast-paced organization?
• We’re looking for an Employee Benefits Manager who will be the driving force behind our North American benefits strategy!

 

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

As the Employee Benefits Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in designing and managing benefits programs that enhance employee well-being, attract top talent, and ensure compliance across the United States and Canada. You’ll also collaborate with a global team to elevate our overall benefits philosophy while delivering best-in-class support for our employees. In addition, you will:

• Lead Benefits Administration: Manage end-to-end benefits processes, including onboarding, open enrollment, and offboarding, ensuring a seamless experience at every stage of the employee lifecycle for ~1,000 employees across North America.
• Drive Employee Engagement: Develop compelling communications and presentations to educate employees about benefit programs, boosting understanding and appreciation for these offerings.
• Shape Strategic Plans: Partner with HR leaders to align benefits strategies with corporate goals, acquisition plans, and growth objectives.
• Provide Expertise: Serve as the go-to resource for managers and employees on benefits-related inquiries, from plan provisions to 401(k) enrollments and leave of absence policies.
• Ensure Compliance: Analyze and oversee compliance with regulatory requirements, including ACA, ADA, ERISA, FMLA, HIPAA, and others, keeping our programs legally and operationally sound.
• Optimize Benefits: Lead the annual renewal process for health and welfare programs, manage vendor relationships, and identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining exceptional program quality.
• Monitor Trends: Conduct ongoing analysis of utilization and expenses, delivering insights to guide decision-making and drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborate Across Teams: Partner with brokers, vendors, HR Business Partners, and Talent Acquisition Specialists to refine and expand our benefits portfolio.

 

IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or similar professional certification.
• Extensive knowledge of U.S. and Canadian benefits regulations and industry best practices.
• 5+ years of experience in benefits administration, with proven expertise in managing complex, multi-country programs.
• Strong analytical and project management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.
• Exceptional communication skills, capable of simplifying complex information for diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and HR systems.
• Flexible and approachable work style, comfortable interacting with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Operates with the highest integrity, appropriately manages information of a highly confidential nature.
• Demonstrates initiative and drive, self-motivated, organized, and detail oriented, proven capability to thoughtfully plan and simultaneously manage multiple projects
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or similar software.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret and communicate data.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, global work environment.
• Seasonal travel up to 20%.

 

KEY PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Collaborative in working across strong teams
• Accountable – owns your results
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• A natural relationship builder with employees at all levels
• Comfortable working independently with strong organizational skills
• Precise and thorough – strong attention to detail

 

THE PAYOFF

• Impactful Work: Shape benefits programs that directly enhance the well-being of our employees and their families.
• Collaborative Culture: Work alongside a passionate, diverse team that values innovation and growth.
• Career Growth: Expand your expertise in a global, fast-paced environment with opportunities to lead transformative initiatives.
• Competitive Rewards: Enjoy a robust benefits package, professional development opportunities, and a culture that prioritizes balance and flexibility.
• Great Location: Working in a suburban location outside of downtown Chicago.

 

Gilman Partners is committed to strengthening leadership teams and elevating the talent in our communities – and that means all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, ability, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or national origin. You do not have to meet every qualification in this job description to apply. If you are drawn to the position and believe your experience makes you a good fit, we encourage you to reach out.