Senior Benefits Manager

Job Description:

Human Resources is seeking a strategic, analytical, and empathetic Senior Benefits Manager to oversee the organization's 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 streams. In 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 You'll Bring

• Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree required, along with 5-7 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 Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-5:00 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 world's 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: $105,000 to $140,000; 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 hroperations@Berklee.edu or call 617-747-2375.

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

Employee Type:

Staff