Senior Benefits Manager

Job Description:

Human Resources is seeking a strategic analytical and empathetic Senior Benefits Manager to oversee the organizations employee benefits and leave of absence programs. Reporting directly to the Senior Director of Benefits and Compensation you will drive strategic planning compliance vendor management and continuous process improvement across all benefits addition to leading total rewards execution you will supervise the Benefits & Leaves Administrator delivering a high-touch supportive experience for our faculty and staff. At Berklee your work directly supports the next generation of creative leaders.

Key Responsibilities

Benefits Strategy & Administration:

• Program Strategy: Design implement and evaluate competitive cost-effective benefits plans including health dental vision retirement FSAs/HSAs life insurance and wellness initiatives.
• Open Enrollment & Data Analytics: Lead annual open enrollment planning communications and system setup alongside the Senior Director. Analyze utilization and claims data to identify cost-containment trends.
• Vendor Management: Partner with benefits brokers consultants third-party administrators and insurance carriers to monitor SLAs negotiate annual renewals and reconcile premium invoices.

Leave Management & Regulatory Compliance:

• Leave Oversight: Provide expert guidance across FMLA ADA accommodations state-paid family leave military leave workers compensation and institutional leave policies.
• Compliance Mandates: Ensure rigorous compliance with federal state and local standards including ERISA ACA COBRA HIPAA FMLA ADA Section 125 and Medicare reporting.
• System Data & Supervision: Supervise and mentor the Benefits & Leaves Administrator. Maintain pristine data integrity within Workday HRIS and build actionable reporting metrics.

What Youll Bring

• Education & Experience: Bachelors degree required along with 57 years of benefits administration experience in a complex fast-paced HR environment.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Deep working knowledge of employee benefits law ERISA ACA FMLA ADA and leave administration best practices.
• Technical & Analytical Mastery: Strong quantitative skills with advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel. Direct experience with Workday HRIS is highly preferred.
• Leadership & Interpersonal Touch: Demonstrated ability to manage and coach staff handle confidential data with discretion build institutional trust and collaborate across departments. Professional HR or benefits certifications (e.g. CEBS SHRM-CP/SCP PHR/SPHR) are a plus.

Schedule & Hybrid Work Environment

• Hybrid Schedule: Typically operates on a MondayFriday 9:00 AM5:00 PM schedule utilizing a hybrid modality that balances structured on-campus presence with remote flexibility.

Why Choose Berklee

• Mission-Driven HR: Deliver an exceptional employee experience that directly supports the worlds premier music dance and theater educators and staff.
• Cultural Access: Enjoy nightly unrivaled access to world-class music theater and dance performances across our campus venues.
• Total Rewards: Outstanding health and dental packages a 403(b) retirement system with matching contributions generous PTO tuition benefits and a paid winter break to rest and recharge.

Hiring Range: $105000 to $140000; salary dependent on experience and education.

Please visit the Total Rewards page to learn more about our benefits.

This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise other than an at will employment relationship.

Diversity Equity Inclusion & Equal Employment Opportunity at Berklee:

We support an inclusive workplace where everyone excels based on personal merit qualifications experience ability and job performance. Berklee affirms that inequality is detrimental to our faculty staff students and the communities we serve. Our goal is to make lasting change through our actions. Berklee is committed to providing fair and equitable consideration of all employees and applicants without regard to race color religion ancestry age national origin place of birth gender sexual orientation gender identity or expression disability genetic information or status as a member of the armed forces or veteran of the armed forces or any other category protected by federal state or local law.

As part of this commitment Berklee will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process to perform essential job functions and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment please contact the Human Resources Team at or call .

*Currently enrolled Berklee students are not permitted to apply for staff or faculty positions.*