Benefits Manager - Potbelly Corporate

• $100 – 115k, plus annual bonus
• Fully Remote in the United States

Potbelly Sandwich Shops, where Good Vibes and Great Careers are a way of life! Come Build the Potbelly Nation with us.

Potbelly got its start in 1977 as a small antique store that turned into a lines-out-the-door neighborhood sandwich shop. Before you knew it, we were serving up delicious food in a fun environment at more than 400 shops across the United States.

We continue to wake up every day with one goal: Make people happy through good vibes and delicious craveable food. Put those awesome ingredients together, and there’s no telling what we’ll cook up next!

Medical, Dental, Vision, Domestic Partner Benefits, Spouse & Children Benefits, Paid Parental Leave, 401k with a match, Flexible Spending Account, Paid Time Off, Incentive Bonus Plan, Paid Holidays, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Life/AD&D Insurance, Home office allowance, Cell phone allowance, Internet allowance, mileage reimbursement, AMEX travel card provided.

We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.

Job Title: Benefits Manager

Department: Human Resources

Reports To: Sr Director of Total Rewards

Job Summary

The Benefits Manager is responsible for planning, designing, and administering employee benefits programs, including health and welfare plans, retirement savings plans, paid time off, leave policies, wellness programs, and other perks. This role ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, conducts regular analysis to maintain competitive and cost-effective benefits offerings, and serves as a key contact for employee benefits inquiries and issues. The Benefits Manager collaborates with cross-functional teams to enhance the employee experience and align benefits with organizational goals to help attract, motivate, and retain top talent.

Key Responsibilities

1. Benefits Program Administration

• Oversee daily operations of all employee benefits programs, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, FSA, HSA, COBRA, disability, life insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and wellness programs.
• Ensure all benefits programs comply with federal and state regulations (e.g., ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, ERISA).
• Coordinate open enrollment periods, and manage benefits eligibility and new-hire and termination benefits processing.

1. Plan Design & Evaluation

• Evaluate and recommend changes to benefit plans based on employee feedback, usage data, and benchmarking against industry standards.
• Collaborate with brokers and vendors to negotiate contracts and maintain relationships, ensuring the most advantageous pricing and plan offerings.
• Prepare annual and ad hoc cost analyses to support budget planning and control.

1. Compliance & Reporting

• Maintain compliance with all relevant federal and state laws, including timely filing of required reports, and mandatory testing requirements.
• Conduct regular audits of benefits plans and internal processes to ensure data accuracy and compliance.
• Ensure development and distribution of required documentation, such as summary plan descriptions, in support of employee awareness and understanding.

1. Employee Communication & Support

• Act as a key point of contact for benefits-related questions, resolving issues with a focus on excellent customer service. Develop and implement communication strategies to educate employees about available benefits and any program changes.
• Support the design of effective benefits orientation for new hires and provide support during open enrollment and other critical periods.

1. Data Management & Analysis

• Responsible for the maintenance of benefits-related data in HRIS and payroll systems to ensure accurate records and reporting.
• Analyze benefits usage data to identify trends, inform decision-making, and propose enhancements to benefits offerings.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in benefits administration or a similar role, preferably in a mid to large-sized organization.
• Certifications: CEBS, PHR, SPHR, or other HR-related certifications are a plus.

Skills and Abilities

• Represent The Potbelly Way and Values.
• In-depth knowledge of employee benefits regulations and industry best practices.
• Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and use it to drive decision-making.
• Strong organizational skills and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to handle multiple projects/tasks.
• Attention to detail and accuracy required.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively explain complex benefits topics to employees.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency with HRIS, benefits administration systems, and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Working Conditions

This position operates in a professional office environment. Occasional travel may be required to attend conferences, meetings with benefits vendors, or other HR events. The Benefits Manager may occasionally need to work additional hours during peak periods, such as open enrollment. Must be able to communicate heavily through telephone, e-mail, and virtual meetings.

This description outlines the general duties and requirements of the position. The Benefits Manager may perform other related duties as assigned.

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