Manager - Benefits and Retirement

We are looking for an experienced Manager - Benefits and Retirement to lead the strategy, administration, and continuous improvement of employee benefit and retirement programs in Detroit, Michigan. This role oversees program design, vendor partnerships, compliance, and team operations while ensuring offerings remain competitive, cost-conscious, and aligned with organizational objectives. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in benefits management, retirement administration, and regulatory oversight, along with the ability to guide cross-functional decisions and support employees through complex programs.

Responsibilities:

• Direct the planning, execution, and day-to-day leadership of benefit and retirement offerings, ensuring effective service delivery across health, welfare, savings, and insurance programs.
• Supervise team members and operational workflows related to benefits and retirement administration, setting priorities and maintaining high standards for accuracy and responsiveness.
• Lead relationships with carriers, administrators, brokers, and other external partners, while reviewing agreements and coordinating contract-related actions through internal approval channels.
• Partner with purchasing, legal, and external advisors to assess vendor proposals, facilitate evaluations, and recommend selections that support value, compliance, and program quality.
• Oversee retirement plan administration, including enrollments, contributions, and transaction processing, to ensure records are completed correctly and within required timelines.
• Perform periodic reviews of retirement data such as eligibility, vesting, and contribution activity, resolving discrepancies and strengthening data integrity controls.
• Guide the development and annual administration of employee benefits programs, including policy updates, open enrollment execution, and ongoing program maintenance.
• Evaluate renewal rates, plan structures, and utilization trends, then present recommendations on program changes, carrier options, and cost management strategies to leadership.
• Administer leave and accommodation processes in accordance with applicable federal and state requirements, and support return-to-work coordination with leaders and organizational partners.
• Monitor legal and regulatory obligations, prepare employee communications and required notices, and collaborate with risk management on workers' compensation matters and benefit usage trends.