Benefits & Wellness Manager
This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Benefits & Wellness Manager based in Canada.
This role offers an opportunity to shape benefits and wellness programs that directly influence the employee experience across a large North American workforce.
You will oversee the design, administration, communication, and continuous improvement of benefits programs across the United States and Canada.
The position combines strategic planning with hands-on operational ownership, from vendor management and compliance to employee education and claims support.
You will work closely with People & Culture, Payroll, Finance, managers, and external partners to ensure programs are efficient, accessible, and well understood.
As a people leader, you will coach and develop the benefits team while driving a high standard of service and operational excellence.
The role is well suited to a collaborative and proactive professional who enjoys solving complex benefits challenges and creating practical, employee-focused solutions.
Accountabilities
- Oversee the administration and ongoing improvement of U.S. and Canadian benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, retirement, disability, and related offerings.
- Develop annual benefits and wellness plans, evaluating costs, utilization, market trends, employee needs, and opportunities to improve program value.
- Manage relationships with benefits consultants, carriers, vendors, and service providers, ensuring strong performance, accurate billing, effective data exchange, and adherence to service-level expectations.
- Partner with People & Culture, Payroll, Finance, and other internal teams to ensure benefits programs, policies, and processes are administered consistently and effectively.
- Lead annual reviews of retirement plans, including trend analysis, utilization reviews, benchmarking, and cost-benefit assessments to identify opportunities for enhancement.
- Oversee short-term and long-term disability claims processes, collaborating with managers, HR partners, payroll teams, and vendors to support employees while managing costs effectively.
- Develop and execute benefits communication and education strategies, including open enrollment, new-hire orientations, employee inquiries, manager training, and communications regarding plan changes and premiums.
- Ensure employees and managers have clear, engaging, and accessible information that enables them to understand and make effective use of benefits and wellness programs.
- Develop and monitor benefits KPIs, providing monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting and insights to relevant stakeholders.
- Oversee benefits administration and reconciliation within ADP, ensuring data accuracy and timely resolution of discrepancies.
- Manage benefits-related inquiries and maintain a high standard of responsive, employee-focused service.
- Develop and communicate disability and leave policies while supporting initiatives across the broader employee lifecycle, including total rewards, compensation, and bonus programs.
- Maintain compliance with applicable U.S. benefits regulations and requirements, including ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ERISA, 401(k) requirements, and relevant reporting obligations.
- Conduct benefits audits and analysis to identify compliance risks, cost-saving opportunities, process improvements, and ways to strengthen employee satisfaction.
- Lead and develop the benefits team by providing coaching, feedback, direction, and ongoing support.
- Contribute to cross-functional projects and initiatives that improve employee wellbeing and the overall employee experience.
- 5+ years of professional experience in benefits or HR, such as Benefits Specialist, HR Generalist, HR Business Partner, or a related role.
- At least 2 years of people leadership or team management experience.
- Strong hands-on experience administering and managing U.S. employee benefits programs, with knowledge of Canadian benefits considered valuable.
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or a related discipline.
- Strong knowledge of benefits program design, administration, compliance, vendor management, and best practices across the U.S. and Canada.
- Familiarity with U.S. benefits regulations and requirements, including ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ERISA, and retirement plan compliance.
- Strong project management skills, particularly when coordinating complex initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and teams.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex benefits topics clearly to employees, managers, and senior stakeholders.
- Strong conflict-resolution and problem-solving abilities, with a practical and employee-focused approach to resolving sensitive issues.
- Experience analyzing benefits costs, utilization, trends, KPIs, and other data to support informed decisions.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, vendors, and operational requirements simultaneously.
- Creative, resourceful, proactive, and collaborative approach to business support.
- Ability to build trusted relationships across departments and work effectively with internal teams and external partners.
- Commitment to creating an inclusive employee experience and supporting diverse perspectives across the organization.
- Base salary range of $99,000–$110,000 USD, with actual compensation varying based on factors such as location, experience, skills, and qualifications.
- Permanent, full-time position.
- Remote work arrangement within the United States.
- Additional bonus program and total rewards eligibility may apply.
- Opportunity to influence benefits and wellness programs supporting employees across North America.
- Inclusive and values-driven workplace culture.
- Opportunity to lead and develop a benefits team.
- Meaningful exposure to strategic benefits planning, total rewards, compliance, and employee experience initiatives.
- Opportunity to contribute to cross-functional projects that improve employee wellbeing and organizational effectiveness.
- Commitment to equal employment opportunity and an inclusive workplace.