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Senior Benefits Manager
Job Location:
Job Location:
Manchester, CT - USA
Monthly Salary:
Not provided by the employer
Monthly Salary:
Posted:
24 May 2026 (30+ days ago)
Posted:
Application Deadline:
21 August 2026
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Job Summary
DEKA Research & Development Corp. is seeking an experienced and strategic Senior Benefits Manager to lead the design administration and continuous improvement of the companys employee benefits programs. This role combines hands-on plan administration with strategic planning. The Senior Benefits Manager is a people-facing role providing direct in-person support to employees while partnering closely with Finance and outside consultants to develop competitive cost-effective programs that align with DEKAs mission-driven culture and organizational goals.
How you will make an impact as a Senior Benefits Manager:
How you will make an impact as a Senior Benefits Manager:
- Plan Administration & Vendor Management
- Oversee day-to-day administration of health dental vision life disability FSA/HSA and supplemental benefits plans.
- Manage relationships with benefits brokers insurance carriers TPAs and wellness vendors - including contract negotiations performance reviews and escalation resolution.
- Lead annual open enrollment planning and execution including communications strategy system configuration employee education and post-enrollment audits.
- Ensure accurate and timely benefits data in HRIS; oversee eligibility enrollment changes and qualifying life events processing.
- Administer leave programs including FMLA short-term and long-term disability and coordinate with payroll and managers.
- Strategic Planning & Benefits Design
- Design and recommend new benefit programs or modifications to existing plans based on workforce demographics employee feedback regulatory changes and industry trends.
- Develop multi-year roadmaps for benefits program evolution presenting recommendations and business cases to company leadership.
- Evaluate and select benefit plan structures (HDHPs traditional PPOs etc.) with a focus on cost efficiency and employee value.
- Partner with finance to model benefit cost scenarios project annual spend and set benefits budgets.
- Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure all benefit plans comply with applicable federal and state regulations including FMLA HIPAA COBRA ACA and IRS requirements.
- Monitor legislative and regulatory developments impacting employee benefits; communicate changes and update plan documents accordingly.
- Serve as primary contact for benefits audits government inquiries and claim disputes.
- Employee Education & Communication
- Develop and deliver clear engaging benefits communications across all channels - email intranet in-person sessions and print.
- Conduct new hire benefits orientations and respond to employee inquiries with timely accurate guidance.
- Champion a culture of benefits literacy helping employees maximize the value of their total compensation package.
- Gather and act on employee feedback to continuously improve the benefits experience.
- Data Analysis & Reporting
- Analyze benefits utilization claims data and cost trends to identify opportunities for program improvements and savings.
- Produce regular reporting on benefits costs participation rates and KPIs for HR and Finance.
- Leverage data insights to drive evidence-based decisions on plan design changes and wellness investments.
- Bachelors degree in Human Resources Business Administration Finance or a related field.
- 10 years in Human Resources or related field including 5 years of experience in employee benefits management.
- Demonstrated experience with benefits plan design and strategic planning - not just administration.
- Strong working knowledge of FMLA HIPAA COBRA ACA and applicable federal/state employment laws.
- Experience managing vendor relationships and contract negotiations with carriers and brokers.
- Proficiency with HRIS systems and benefits administration platforms.
- Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and translate insights into actionable recommendations.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to present complex information to diverse audiences.
- Experience in a technology research & development or engineering-focused organization.
- Familiarity with self-funded health plan structures and experience working with TPAs.
Required Experience:
Manager
About Company
DEKA Research and Development is perhaps best known for its founder and president Dean Kamen -- and for the Segway Personal Transporter he invented. DEKA is a design and engineering firm that develops innovative technologies, many of them in the field of medical devices. The Segway it ... View more
