Sr. Manager, Benefits

Job Profile Summary: The Sr. Manager, Benefits supports the development and execution of benefits and recognition strategies across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, including health and welfare, retirement, wellness, and leave of absence programs. This role ensures programs are competitive, compliant, and aligned with team member well-being and organizational goals. The senior manager oversees daily operations, vendor relationships, and compliance activities, while partnering with internal stakeholders to ensure seamless program delivery. The role also manages open enrollment, analyzes program performance, supports benefits communications, and leads a high-performing team focused on delivering an excellent team member experience and continuous improvement in operational efficiency. Job Description: Lead the design, administration, and continuous improvement of U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico benefits programs, including health and welfare, retirement, wellness, recognition, leave of absence, and ancillary benefits. Influence and implement benefits and recognition strategies that align with organizational objectives, support team member well-being, and ensure competitiveness in the marketplace. Oversee benefits operations of fully insured and self-funded plans, ensuring accurate and timely processing of enrollments, claims, leave administration, vendor integrations, and benefits invoicing. Serve as a subject matter expert on benefits compliance, monitoring and ensuring adherence to applicable laws, such as ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, and local regulations. Partner with internal stakeholders, including HR Business Partners, Payroll, Finance, and Legal, to resolve benefits issues and ensure cohesive program administration. Manage relationships with external vendors, brokers, and consultants to ensure high service levels and cost-effective program delivery. Lead the annual benefits renewal and open enrollment process, including plan design, communications, system testing, and implementation of changes. Analyze benefits program utilization, costs, and trends, providing data-driven recommendations to optimize offerings and control expenses. Oversee the development of clear and effective team member communications related to benefits and recognition programs, policies, and processes that drive engagement. Provide leadership and guidance to a high performing benefits team, ensuring effective team performance, professional development, and continuous process improvement. Oversee the administration of multiple retirement plans, such as 401(k), SERP, Pension, RRSP, and TFSA, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and efficiency. Support benefits-related audit activities, government filings, and reporting, including Form 5500, ACA reporting, and nondiscrimination testing. Champion a culture of health and wellbeing while driving innovative initiatives to enhance the team member experience, drive retention, improve benefits administration efficiency, and support workforce health and financial security. Essential skills and experience: Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in the analysis, design, implementation and administration of health, welfare, wellness, and retirement programs. In a large, decentralized, multi-state organization. Bachelor's degree in human resources, or related field and/or equivalent work experience. Strong leadership and team management skills. Proven ability to set the direction, coach and lead team and follow up to ensure work is accurate and on schedule. Excellent time management skills and ability to plan and set priorities. Proven ability to analyze data on the cost of benefits and assess and devise programs that best fit an organization and its employees. Strong business acumen, experience managing a budget, building business case recommendations, and understanding how benefit and retirement plans affect business finances. Excellent verbal and written communication skills to all levels of the organization. Strong project management, decision making skills, ability to weigh the strengths and opportunities within the benefits and retirement plans and choose the best options for the organization. Computer proficiency and technical aptitude with the ability to use Workday and Microsoft Office products. Knowledge of all federal, state and local regulations and compliance requirements related to employee benefits. Knowledge of all Puerto Rico Territory and Canadian federal and provincial regulations and requirements preferred. Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret and communicate data. Working knowledge of federal and state and Canadian provincial regulations governing benefit and compensation programs, including but not limited to ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ACA and associated accounting and tax requirements. Good to have: Strong HRIS system knowledge related to benefits enrollment and reporting. Workday system experience preferred. Industry designations; Certified Benefits Professional (CBP), Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or other related certification desirable but not required Experience with International Benefit programs; specifically Canadian and Puerto Rican benefits and retirement plans, preferred. Other Considerations: Ability to travel on as needed (throughout the US and Canada) Location: Denver CO Address: 1875 Lawrence Street, Denver CO, 80202 Additional Locations (if applicable): Employment Type: Full time Additional Information: Competitive Compensation: We provide market-driven base pay, based on skills, abilities, and level of experiences. Our salary ranges are broad, and individual salary will be market competitive based on a candidate's unique set of skills and level of experience. The starting range for this position is $125,000.00 - $155,000.00, with additional earning potential possible commensurate with experience. Additionally, we believe that our team members are the reason for our success and all team members are incentive eligible with a target based on contribution, company performance, and individual results achieved. While the specific bonus plan and target amount will be determined based on the role and breadth of contributions, the targeted bonus plan and targeted percentage amount for this role is Bonus - MIP, 15% Annual. Benefits: At Ardent Mills we offer a wide range of benefits to our team members and their eligible family members. Some of our great benefit programs you may be eligible for include: • Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage• Health and Dependent Savings Accounts • Life and Disability Programs • Voluntary Benefit Programs • Company Sponsored Wellness Programs • Retirement Savings with Company Match • Team Member and Family Assistance Program (EAP) • Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays • Employee Recognition Program with Rewards (RAVE). Application Deadline: 04/30/2026 04/30/2026 EEO Commitment: At Ardent Mills, everyone matters and everyone has a voice. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal opportunities are available to all applicants and team members and the decisions will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, age, political affiliation, or any other non-merit characteristic protected by law or not. Together, celebrating our differences, we make Ardent Mills. The preceding position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this position. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees in this position. The description, duties, functions, and responsibilities are subject to change at the discretion of Ardent Mills. En Ardent Mills, todos importan y todos tienen voz. Estamos comprometidos a brindar un ambiente de respeto mutuo donde haya igualdad de oportunidades disponibles para todos los solicitantes y miembros del equipo y las decisiones se basarán en el mérito, la competencia, el desempeño y las necesidades comerciales. Estamos orgullosos de ser un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades. No discriminamos por motivos de raza, color, religión, credo, origen nacional, ascendencia, estado civil, sexo, orientación sexual, identidad o expresión de género, discapacidad física o mental, embarazo, información genética, condición de veterano, edad, política. afiliación, o cualquier otra característica no meritoria protegida por ley o no. Juntos, celebrando nuestras diferencias, formamos Ardent Mills. La descripción del puesto anterior ha sido diseñada para indicar la naturaleza general y los deberes y responsabilidades esenciales del trabajo realizado por los empleados dentro de este puesto. Es posible que no contenga un inventario completo de todos los deberes, responsabilidades y calificaciones requeridas de los empleados en este puesto. La descripción, los deberes, las funciones y las responsabilidades están sujetos a cambios a discreción de Ardent Mills. Recruitment Fraud Disclaimer: At Ardent Mills, the security of our employees and candidates is a priority. We will never request sensitive information such as your bank account information, social security number, or other non-publicly available information during the application and interview process. If someone asks you for sensitive information, we strongly advise that you assume that individual is not affiliated with Ardent Mills. Some things to watch out for: Slightly altered or unprofessional email addresses. Ardent Mills' Recruitment team only corresponds from email addresses with the domain or . Vague job requirements or job descriptions. Our open job opportunities and descriptions can be found at ardentmillscareers.com

Created: 2026-03-04