Human Resources - Manager, Benefits

In this onsite role in San Diego, you will manage the design, administration, and compliance of employee benefits and leave programs. You will also partner with leaders, managers, and external vendors to support effective program delivery while adhering to federal, state, and local requirements.

Responsibilities

• Design and administer employee benefit programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, paid leave, education programs, and other supplemental benefits.
• Develop and implement strategies that optimize benefits offerings, balancing cost effectiveness with competitive value for a diverse workforce.
• Collaborate with insurance brokers, carriers, and vendors to negotiate favorable contracts, monitor plan performance, and resolve service or claims issues.
• Track industry trends and best practices, review benchmark data, and recommend improvements to existing benefits.
• Oversee open enrollment activities, including plan renewals, broker and carrier coordination, leadership engagement, and employee communications.
• Provide regular reporting to management on benefit utilization and claims to support premium analysis.
• Reconcile benefits accounts by approving billing statements.
• Maintain benefits systems by initiating new-hire benefits and recording changes.
• Provide employee support for benefit plan questions, claims, and eligibility inquiries.
• Lead creation and delivery of benefits-related communication materials, including employee handbooks, brochures, online resources, and trainings.
• Manage the Leave Management program and policies, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws, including FMLA, short-term and long-term disability, state-guaranteed leaves, disability accommodation, and benefit administration.
• Oversee end-to-end leave request processing, ensuring adherence to laws including FMLA, ADA, and applicable state requirements such as CFRA or PFL.
• Lead the ADA interactive process for workplace accommodations and coordinate return-to-work or fitness-for-duty transitions.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for benefits and leave management, guiding employees and managers through eligibility, documentation, and required statutory benefits.
• Ensure benefits policies and records remain current and compliant with federal and state requirements, advising management on needed actions.
• Stay current on relevant legislation and regulatory changes to maintain legal compliance of benefit programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent years of experience, including relevant experience.
• Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) designation is preferred.
• 5 years of progressive Human Resources experience in a high-growth or high-volume industry.
• Prior experience in benefits and leave of absence management is strongly preferred.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong verbal, written, analytical, and persuasive skills, with the ability to work effectively across all employee and management levels.
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state regulations impacting benefits and leave administration, including ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, FMLA, ADA, Workers’ Compensation, and applicable state leave laws.
• Demonstrated negotiation and diplomacy skills, with a focus on proactive problem-solving for people and teams.
• Deep knowledge of employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement plans, wellness programs, and voluntary benefits.
• Ability to interpret complex legislative and regulatory requirements and translate them into practical policies, procedures, and employee communications.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills using data to identify trends, assess program effectiveness, and recommend improvements aligned to business and workforce needs.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience using reporting tools and dashboards to analyze benefits utilization, leave trends, costs, and compliance metrics.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, lead complex projects, and drive successful implementation from planning through execution.
• Strong consultation, communication, and influencing skills to partner with employees, leaders, vendors, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and discretion.

Skills and Tools

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office suite
• PowerPoint
• Microsoft Word
• Visio
• HCM Systems

Location and Compensation

Location: San Diego, CA (onsite).
Pay: USD 54–71 per hourly.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Prolonged sitting position.
• Travel to other clinic sites and within the county.
• May be required to work evenings and/or weekends and attend meetings outside regular working hours.