People Experience & Benefits Manager in at Forward Solutions

Forward Solutions is a group of service companies that help clients in evolving markets grow their business and expand into new channels. Our team of over 520 experienced professionals provides manufacturers and distributors with the power of outsourced sales, marketing, and customer support services. Our divisions combined have expertise in facility maintenance, cleaning, hygiene, food service disposables, food service equipment, industrial/MRO, utility, telecom, construction, electrical, and packaging supply channels.

Forward Solutions is a growing private company that offers its employees a competitive salary, a full benefits package including 401K, an annual bonus, PTO, and a flexible working program. The company’s service brand portfolio includes Allynt Solutions, Avision, C3Consulting, Curate, Integrated Access Corporation, OneSolution™, RelyPak™, and StruXur™.

We are looking for a People Experience & Benefits Manager

You will be responsible for the oversight of Company benefit plans, programs, and services to ensure program performance is aligned with the total rewards philosophy and HR strategy. Provide data-based strategic insights and design solutions covering a wide range of benefit programs including health & welfare, retirement, work-life, total health management, voluntary benefits, associate engagement, and leave management programs.

We offer a flexible work environment that requires an individual to be in the Naperville, IL office 3 days per week.

What You'll Do

Benefits Administration

• Oversee the daily administration of all employee benefits and retirement programs.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations (e.g., ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, IRS retirement guidelines).
• Leads and motivates cross-functional team members in designing business solutions for benefit plans, programs, and services with an enterprise-wide impact.
• Perform audits of benefit and retirement deductions loaded into Payroll; collaborate with the Payroll team to resolve discrepancies.
• Manage relationships with external benefits and retirement vendors, ensuring service level agreements (SLAs) are met.
• Resolve escalated issues and provide guidance to employees on complex benefits and retirement-related questions.
• Lead year-end administration, including YTD balance audits for GTL/HSA and retirement contribution limit monitoring.
• Identify trends and patterns in employee inquiries, to proactively address recurring issues, optimize service delivery, and recommend process improvements.

Leave Management

• Manage and administer disability, leave of absence (continuous and intermittent), return-to-work, and accommodation programs, ensuring full compliance with local, state, and federal laws.
• Interpret evolving HR policies and legislative developments to maintain program compliance and best practices.
• Collaborate with legal teams, HR management, internal corporate functions, and external vendors to address and resolve complex and time-sensitive issues.

People Experience Administration

• Design and execute high-impact employee engagement and culture building initiatives tailored to remote teams such as mentorship and ERG programs.
• Spearhead planning of wellness programs and corporate team-builders from budget management to logistics.
• Cross-functional collaboration with HR, marketing, and division leaders to align engagement activities with company values and promote internal communications.

Reporting & Analysis

• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as service levels, customer satisfaction, and vendor accuracy. Implement action plans for improvement as needed.
• Develop and maintain reports and dashboards to track key performance indicators (KPIs) and identify areas for improvement across all areas of responsibility.
• Analyzes financial impacts and recommends adjustments to programs to minimize financial risk.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in HR operations, with a focus on benefits administration, retirement plan management, and leave management.
• Advanced knowledge of defined contribution plans and Health and Welfare plans.
• Strong knowledge of employee benefits laws and regulations (e.g., ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA).
• Experience with benefits supplier contract management, regulatory compliance and day-to-day operations.
• Experience in leave of absence, return-to-work programs, ADA, extended medical leave programs, short-term disability, and long-term disability administration.
• Extensive project management experience to include requirement development and implementation.
• Proficiency (advanced capability) in Microsoft Office Suite of products. Specifically, Excel (VLOOKUPs, macros, pivot tables), PowerPoint (animations, embedding, Master slide management), Word, and Outlook.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with HR systems (e.g., ADP Workforce Now) and data analysis tools.

Why Should You Apply? 

• Competitive industry pays and bonus programs. 
• Great benefits 
• Positive and fun team environment 
• Career growth opportunities 
• Financial: Salary, bonus opportunities, and 401K 
• Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, life, short- and long-term disability 
• Work-life balance: Paid Time Off and paid holidays, Paid Parental Leave 

Specific compensation is determined through interviews and a review of relevant education, experience, training, skills, geographic location and alignment with market data. Additionally, certain positions may be eligible to receive a discretionary incentive bonus as determined by incentive program guidelines, position eligibility and Senior Management approval.