Healthcare Benefits Project Manager

Project Manager – Healthcare Benefits Transition (Contract)

Salary: $65-$85/hour (Depending on experience)

Assignment Length: Approximately 6 months

Location: Remote (Company based in Wichita, KS)

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead a critical healthcare benefits transition project for a multi-site organization. This contract position will oversee the implementation of a new employee benefits broker while coordinating plan design changes, vendor communications, system integrations, and project timelines to ensure a seamless transition with minimal disruption to employees and business operations.

The ideal candidate has a proven background managing healthcare benefits implementations, holds an active Project Management certification, and is experienced coordinating cross-functional teams, benefit vendors, payroll systems, and EDI integrations.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end project management of a healthcare benefits broker transition, ensuring milestones, timelines, and deliverables are successfully achieved.
• Coordinate all activities related to benefits implementation, including carrier transitions, plan design changes, and vendor communications.
• Manage relationships with brokers, insurance carriers, payroll providers, benefit administration vendors, and internal HR leadership.
• Oversee implementation and validation of EDI feeds between benefit carriers, payroll, and HR systems to ensure accurate employee eligibility and enrollment data.
• Configure and coordinate implementation of the benefits administration module within Paylocity.
• Develop detailed project plans, timelines, risk assessments, and communication plans while proactively identifying and mitigating project risks.
• Facilitate regular project meetings with internal stakeholders and external vendors to monitor progress and resolve issues.
• Coordinate testing, validation, and go-live activities for benefit enrollments, payroll deductions, carrier eligibility, and system integrations.
• Ensure all project documentation, workflows, and implementation materials are complete and organized.
• Provide regular status updates to executive leadership and HR throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support open enrollment planning and execution as needed during the transition.
• Ensure compliance with applicable healthcare benefits regulations and industry best practices.

Qualifications

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent Project Management certification required.
• 5+ years of project management experience leading complex cross-functional implementations.
• Previous experience managing healthcare benefits implementations, broker transitions, or employee benefits projects is required.
• Experience coordinating insurance carriers, benefit brokers, third-party administrators, and payroll vendors.
• Experience implementing or supporting benefits administration systems within HRIS/payroll platforms, preferably Paylocity.
• Strong understanding of EDI file implementation, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities while driving projects to successful completion.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, including Excel, Project, PowerPoint, and Teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with self-funded and fully insured healthcare plans.
• Experience with open enrollment implementations.
• Knowledge of ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA, and employee benefits administration.
• Experience working with HRIS, payroll, and benefits administration platforms.

Benefits

• Competitive hourly compensation of $65-$85/hour, depending on experience.
• Fully remote work arrangement.
• Approximately six-month contract assignment with the opportunity to lead a high-impact organizational initiative.
• Collaborative work environment with significant visibility and interaction with executive leadership.