Benefits and Total Rewards Manager

About the Role

Our client in the fashion sector is seeking a dedicated Benefits and Total Rewards Manager to join their People Team at the downtown New York City office. This position offers an hourly wage between $50 and $53, dependent on experience, requires in-office presence four days a week, and may transition into a full-time role if mutually suitable.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee management and administration of health and welfare programs, including negotiating with insurance carriers and vendors, managing broker relationships, handling annual renewals and open enrollment, performing cost analyses, and developing processes and controls.
• Administer leave management and reasonable accommodation processes from employee intake to documentation, People Operations coordination, business coverage planning, and communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide ongoing education on benefit and wellness offerings, manage employee inquiries, and identify areas needing further improvement or education.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations related to employee pay and benefits, including but not limited to FLSA, FMLA, ADA, COBRA, ERISA, ACA, ARPA, HIPAA, and paid family leave laws at all jurisdictional levels.
• Manage ACA compliance obligations such as 1094/1095-C reporting, filing, and communication with employees.
• Support data analysis for administration purposes, annual 5500 filings, audits, disclosure reporting, and non-discrimination testing.
• Conduct management and monthly audits of employee benefit plans covering health, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, flexible spending, and voluntary products.
• Design, plan, and implement comprehensive rewards strategies encompassing wellness, recognition programs, and work-life balance effectiveness.
• Contribute to enhancing performance management systems and processes, including goal setting and evaluations.
• Monitor workers’ compensation claims and metrics while driving safety initiatives to reduce related costs.
• Benchmark compensation and benefits plans against market trends and recommend enhancements to maintain competitiveness.
• Champion continuous improvement by refining workflows, eliminating errors and inefficiencies, and standardizing benefits-related processes.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree, ideally in Human Resources, or equivalent education and work experience focused on HR and Benefits.
• Certifications such as Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), Professional in Human Resources (PHR), or SHRM-CP are preferred.
• Between 3 to 5 years of professional experience in Total Rewards, including Benefits, Wellness, and Recognition programs.
• In-depth knowledge of applicable legal frameworks including FMLA, Paid Family Leave, Health Care Reform Act, ERISA & Section 125, HIPAA, FLSA, ADA, COBRA, and reasonable accommodations.
• Ability to independently manage multiple projects and prioritize competing responsibilities in a fast-paced setting.
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and effective communication skills across written, verbal, and interpersonal channels.
• Capacity to resolve challenges with sound judgment aligned with regulatory and policy standards.
• Leadership capabilities and proficiency in teamwork environments.
• Experienced in Microsoft Office applications; familiarity with ADP Workforce Now, especially in system implementation or upgrades, is highly preferred.