About the Department
The Benefits and Wellness Manager is responsible for the day-to-day administration, delivery, and continuous improvement of the City of Richmond’s employee benefits and wellness programs. This role ensures efficient program execution, compliance, vendor coordination, and a high-quality employee experience.
Reporting to the Division Chief of Benefits and Wellness, the Manager serves as an operational leader and subject matter expert, translating strategic direction into effective programs, processes, and services that support employees across the organization.
Position Duties
Program Administration & Operations
- Administer and oversee daily operations of employee benefits programs including health, wellness, and related offerings
- Manage benefits lifecycle processes including enrollment, qualifying events, and offboarding coordination
- Lead operational execution of annual open enrollment, including logistics, employee support, and communications coordination
- Ensure accurate and timely processing of benefits transactions, billing, and documentation
Vendor & Contract Management
- Serve as primary point of contact for benefits vendors, brokers, and third-party administrators
- Monitor vendor performance against service level agreements and escalate issues as needed
- Support procurement activities including RFP coordination, renewals, and contract administration in partnership with Procurement
Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws (e.g., FMLA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA)
- Maintain accurate records and oversee periodic audits of benefits data and processes
- Respond to internal and external requests related to benefits programs (e.g., audits, reporting, FOIA support as applicable)
Employee Experience & Issue Resolution
- Serve as escalation point for complex benefits-related inquiries and issues
- Partner with HR Business Partners, Payroll, and Retirement to ensure a seamless employee experience
- Support development and delivery of employee education, tools, and resources to improve benefits utilization and understanding
Process Improvement & Reporting
- Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency, accuracy, and service delivery
- Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs)
- Track and report on key metrics (e.g., participation, utilization, service levels) to inform decision-making
Systems & Technology Support
- Support implementation and optimization of benefits-related systems in partnership with HRIS and IT
- Ensure data integrity across systems and processes
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Health, or a related field
- Five (5) years of progressive experience in benefits administration, human resources, or employee wellness programs
Preferred Qualifications
- Seven (7)+ years of relevant experience
- Prior supervisory or team lead experience
- Experience in public sector or large, complex organizations
- Experience with HRIS/benefits administration systems (e.g., Oracle or similar platforms)