Sr. Benefits Manager

Empower AI is AI for government. Empower AI gives federal agency leaders the tools to elevate the potential of their workforce with a direct path for meaningful transformation. Headquartered in Reston, Va., Empower AI leverages three decades of experience solving complex challenges in Health, Defense, and Civilian missions. Our proven Empower AI Platform® provides a practical, sustainable path for clients to achieve transformation that is true to who they are, what they do, how they work, with the resources they have. The result is a government workforce that is exponentially more creative and productive. For more information, visit www.Empower.ai.

Empower AI is proud to be recognized as a 2024 Military Friendly Employer by Viqtory, the publisher of G.I. Jobs. This designation reflects the company’s commitment to hiring and supporting active-duty and veteran employees.

The Senior Benefits Manager leads the strategy, design, administration, and optimization of Empower AI’s employee benefits programs. Empower AI aims to equip federal agency personnel with AI tools and insights, allowing them to focus on higher-value, mission-focused objectives. This role reports to VP, Human Resources and ensures that all benefit offerings are competitive, cost‑effective, compliant with regulations, and aligned with organizational goals. The Senior Benefits Manager serves as the subject‑matter expert on health and welfare plans, retirement programs, leave administration, SCA administration and vendor management, while providing guidance to Senior leadership and HR/Payroll partners.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a long‑term benefits strategy that supports talent attraction, retention, and employee well‑being in a competitive government contractor environment.

• Monitor industry trends and government contractor benchmarks to ensure offerings remain competitive and compliant. Analyze market trends, benchmarking data, and workforce insights to recommend enhancements or new programs.
  
  

• Partner with senior HR and Finance leaders to align benefits strategy with organizational priorities and budget.

• Manage benefits for cleared and uncleared populations, including unique requirements for secure facilities and classified programs.
  
  
• Provide subject‑matter expertise during proposal development, including fringe rate modeling, SCA modeling, benefits narratives, and cost‑allowability considerations under FAR.

Program Management

• Oversee the administration of health, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, wellness, and voluntary benefit programs across multiple states and contract types.
• Lead annual open enrollment, ensuring clear communication and seamless execution for a dispersed workforce.
• Lead the implementation of Empower AI’s new UKG benefits portal.

• Oversee leave programs, including FMLA, state leave laws, and contract‑specific leave requirements.
  
  

• Ensure accurate and timely processing of benefits transactions, plan changes, and employee inquiries.
• Serve as the final point of resolution for benefits issues. Oversee and manage Beneftis@empower.ai mailbox.

Compliance & Governance

Manage compliance with government‑contracting‑specific requirements, including:

• Service Contract Act (SCA) health & welfare benefits
• FAR and CAS rules related to benefit cost allowability
• Contract‑specific benefit obligations

• Oversee all required filings, audits, plan documents, and nondiscrimination testing.
• Maintain strong internal controls and documentation for all benefits processes.

Vendor & Budget Management

• Manage relationships with brokers, carriers, TPAs, and technology vendors.
• Lead RFP processes, contract negotiations, and performance evaluations.
• Monitor plan costs, forecast trends, and recommend cost‑containment strategies.
• Overall responsibility for all benefits billing and budget administration.

Employee Experience & Communication

• Develop clear, engaging benefits communications and education materials.
• Partner with Communications Specialist to educate employees on all benefit offerings, changes, webinars, etc
• Partner with HRBPs and managers to ensure consistent understanding of benefits policies.
• Drive initiatives that improve employee awareness, utilization, and satisfaction.

Team Leadership

• Supervise and mentor benefits generalist.
• Establish benefit team goals, workflows, and service standards.
• Develop and maintain annual benefits calendar with project plan milestones.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• 7–10+ years of progressive experience in benefits administration or total rewards.
• Deep knowledge of U.S. benefits regulations and SCA compliance requirements.
• Experience managing vendors, brokers, and large‑scale benefits programs.
• Strong analytical, communication, and project‑management skills.

Preferred:

• Experience working in a government contracting environment.
• Master’s degree or HR certification (CEBS, SHRM‑CP/SCP, PHR/SPHR).
• Experience with HRIS/benefits platforms (Workday, UKG, ADP, etc.).
• Background in multi‑state or global organizations

Physical Requirements:

• Sitting for long periods
• Ambulate throughout an office

All hiring and promotion decisions at Empower AI are based on merit to bring the best talent available to contribute to our firm’s overall success. It is the policy of Empower AI not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status. Empower AI is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.