HR Benefits Manager

About Us:

We are a distinguished hospitality company known for exceptional guest experience and a culture that values excellence, innovation, and integrity.  As a leader in the luxury hospitality space, we believe our people are our most asset.

Why Join Us?

• Work in a vibrant, upscale setting with a team of dedicated professionals
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits
• Opportunities for growth and advancement within our expanding hospitality group
• Be part of a company that genuinely values its people and fosters a culture of inclusion and respect. Ready to bring your energy, expertise, and leadership to our team? Apply now and make your mark in one of Orange County’s most respected luxury hospitality companies.

The Opportunity:

The Benefits Manager supports the direction, administration, and continuous improvement of the company's employee benefit programs.  This role is responsible for managing all aspects of benefits operations, including health and welfare plans, retirement programs, leave administration, and reporting.

Work Requirements

This position requires that at least 51% of the role be focused on management and leadership duties. If this requirement is not being met, it must be reported to the CEO immediately.

Benefits Administration

• Administer medical, dental, vision, life, disability, HSA, EAP, retirement, and other employee benefit programs.
• Manage enrollments, terminations, life events, eligibility changes, and employee inquiries.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for benefits-related inquiries.

Open Enrollment & Vendor Management

• Lead annual open enrollment and benefit renewal processes.
• Evaluate the marketplace to ensure benefit and rates remain competitive and cost-effective.
• Review benefit proposals and recommend plan design changes.
• Manage relationships with insurance carriers, brokers, third-party administrators, and benefit vendors.
• Oversee benefit file feeds, carrier integrations, and vendor performance.
• Lead open enrollment configuration, testing, and validation to ensure accurate elections, deductions, eligibility, and carrier file transmissions.

401K & Retirement Administration

• Manage all aspects of the company's retirement plan administration, including running timely reports for loans, and ensuring proper deduction set up and verification of accuracy.
• Oversee employee deferral elections, employer match calculations, loan repayments, distributions, and payroll integrations.
• Coordinate with recordkeepers, advisors, TPAs, and auditors.
• Support annual 401k audits, census reporting, compliance testing, and Form 5500 preparation.
• Support reporting, configuration, and testing in regard to the 401k 360 integrations.

Compliance & Leave Administration

• Ensure compliance with ACA, ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, Section 125, and applicable state regulations.
• Oversee leave administration, including FMLA, CFRA, ADA, workers' compensation coordination, and related leave programs.
• Maintain benefit policies, procedures, and employee communications.
• Coordinate with vendors, carriers, brokers, and third-party administrators to ensure benefit plans, ACA configurations, eligibility rules, and compliance requirements are accurately maintained and administered.

Financial Management & Reporting

• Reconcile monthly carrier invoices and retirement plan funding with precision.
• Monitor plan utilization, enrollment trends, and vendor performance.
• Prepare benefits, retirement, and executive reporting.

Leadership & Employee Education

• Train HR staff and managers on benefits and retirement programs.
• Recommend cost-saving strategies and continuous improvements while maintaining competitive benefit offerings.

*The company’s employment policy is “at-will”.  Under the “at-will” policy, neither you nor the company is committed to continuing the employment relationship for any specific term.  (Refer to employee handbook for details).

Qualifications of Requirements

• Business proficiency in Payroll Systems (Workday).
• Benefit reconciliation experience is a must.
• Deep subject matter expertise in regulatory and compliance matters including but not limited to HIPAA, ACA/ PCORI, ERISA, Non-Discrimination Testing, 5500s, and related state/local laws.
• Minimum of 5+ years of progressive payroll experience with Workday. CPP preferred.
• Strong knowledge of multi-entity US payroll, with excellent understanding of California payroll laws and regulations.
• Strong reasoning and math skills.
• Expert knowledge in Microsoft Excel spreadsheets is required.
• Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish).
• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited four-year college or university or 5+year’s related experience and/or training, required.
• Must have valid CA Driver's license.
• Flexible in approach, able to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.