Manager, Benefits and Pension
Manager, Benefits and Pension
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Job Description
Heres what you need to know:
The Benefits and Pension Manager is a strategic and hands-on leader responsible for the overall management compliance and continuous improvement of all benefits and pension programs across the KIPP TEAM and Family network. This role ensures the organization offers competitive cost-effective and employee-centered benefit plans that meet both organizational goals and employee needs. This individual will oversee the administration of core benefit offerings including medical dental vision life insurance disability wellness programs voluntary benefits and all retirement and pension-related plans. The manager will ensure alignment with internal policies regulatory compliance (including ACA ERISA and state pension requirements) and industry best practices. Working in close partnership with the Human Resources Payroll and Finance teams as well as external vendors brokers and state pension offices the Benefits and Pension Manager will play a critical role in driving employee engagement and satisfaction through high-quality benefits education timely issue resolution and efficient plan administration.
This a hybrid role: in-person requirement to be in the office at a minimum twice a week and additional in-person time is necessary based on organizational needs.
Key Responsibilities:
- Stakeholder Management
- Serve as the primary point of contact for all employee benefits and pension inquiries ensuring timely accurate and empathetic support.
- Partner closely with internal HR Payroll and Finance teams to align and streamline benefit and pension processes across systems.
- Manage relationships with vendors brokers and NJ pension offices (PERS TPAF DCRP) including enrollment oversight and account resolution via MBOS.
- Lead benefits education efforts to enhance employee understanding and engagement including presentations and self-service resources like HR Wiki and Zendesk articles.
- Full-cycle Benefits Support
- Oversee the administration of all employee benefit programs including health dental vision life disability wellness and retirement plans.
- Manage employee transitions including new hire enrollments life events terminations and pension-related changes.
- Maintain accurate eligibility and plan data across systems; serve as certifying officer for NJ pension plans and complete quarterly IROC submissions.
- Support audits analyze utilization trends and recommend cost-effective program improvements.
- Provide Tier 2 support for escalated employee questions and serve as a technical liaison with vendors to troubleshoot complex issues.
- Review and process all benefits-related invoices in partnership with AP and Purchasing to ensure timely payment.
- Benefit Events
- Lead planning and execution of annual open enrollment including system readiness communications and post-enrollment audits.
- Support benefits onboarding during new hire orientation and ensure departing employees receive accurate COBRA pension and retiree information.
- Monitor and process qualifying life events in accordance with plan rules and compliance standards.
- Ensure benefits messaging is incorporated during key employee transitions in partnership with HR Ops.
- Compliance & Regulatory Oversight
- Ensure full compliance with federal state and local benefits regulations including ACA COBRA HIPAA FMLA and ERISA.
- Lead preparation and submission of required filings (IRS Form 5500 ACA reporting) and manage external audits.
- Conduct internal audits to reconcile deductions and correct discrepancies across systems.
- Maintain policies and ensure all employee-facing materials meet legal and organizational standards.
- Monitor legislative changes and assess implications for KIPPs benefits programs.
- Team Leadership & Management
- Directly supervise and develop the Benefits Coordinator ensuring timely support and service excellence.
- Monitor Zendesk ticket resolution documentation and audits to meet internal service expectations.
- Assign projects delegate tasks and promote continuous improvement across benefits operations.
- Conduct regular check-ins and performance reviews while identifying development opportunities to grow team capacity.
Qualifications :
- 57 years of experience in benefits administration with specific experience managing pension plans.
- Deep knowledge of benefits compliance including ERISA ACA HIPAA COBRA and IRS regulations.
- Strong experience with HRIS and benefits platforms (plus NJ MBOS and IROC familiarity preferred).
- High attention to detail and strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to simplify complex information for diverse audiences.
- Bachelors degree required; HR certification (SHRM-CP/SCP or PHR/SPHR) preferred.
- Experience in a school district or public-sector setting is a plus.
Additional Information :
KIPP Team & Family offers a market-competitive salary ranging from $110000 to $115000. Salary ranges at KIPP are set based on the role level and function using benchmarks in the education and non-profit sectors and allow for growth within the role. Individual compensation within this range will be set based on a variety of factors including but not limited to: relevant professional experience and qualifications; education skills and training; and market conditions.
In addition to a competitive salary we offer a generous benefits package including but not limited to the following:
- Robust benefits that include medical dental and vision
- Optional participation in the KIPP NJ 403b retirement plan including matching contributions
- An organization-issued laptop
- Flexible time-off policy
- Up to 12 weeks of 100% parental leave for primary caregivers
- Employer-paid life insurance
- Extensive optional ancillary benefits including short-term and long-term disability and accident and hospital indemnity
Our organization is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color sex gender age religion national origin citizenship status marital status physical or mental disability military or veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Our organization will make a reasonable accommodation to known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant or employee with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the organization. No questions on this application are asked for any unlawful purpose.
Remote Work :
No
Employment Type :
Full-time
Employment Type
Full-time
