HR Benefits Manager in Detroit, Michigan at Apparatus Solutions

Job Summary:
The HR Benefits Manager is responsible for the strategic oversight, administration, compliance, and continuous improvement of employee benefits and leave programs. This position serves as a subject matter expert in health and welfare benefits, retirement programs, leave administration, and employee wellness initiatives. The HR Benefits Manager provides leadership in plan design, compliance, employee communications, vendor management, and benefits operations while ensuring a positive employee experience.

The HR Benefits Manager will also support client organizations with broader HR needs, including employee relations, performance management, policy interpretation, employment compliance, and HR operations. The ideal candidate brings deep benefits expertise along with broad HR experience and is comfortable working across both specialized benefits work and broader client-facing HR responsibilities

Location & Schedule Requirements:
This is a hybrid position with time spent both remotely and on-site at client locations throughout the Detroit area. The role will primarily support Central Time Zone operations and requires flexibility to meet client and business needs during Pacific Time Zone hours as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• May hire, train, and oversee staff in the department
• Provides constructive and timely performance coaching

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Administer and oversee employee health and welfare benefit programs across all 50 states and Canada, ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, local, and provincial regulations.
• Manage complex benefits structures, including multiple employee eligibility groups, varied plan designs, and diverse workforce populations.
• Serve as the subject matter expert on ACA compliance, including eligibility determinations, look-back measurement periods, stability periods, administrative periods, and reporting requirements.
• Lead the administration of health and welfare, retirement, deferred compensation, leave, and wellness programs, including annual open enrollment and qualifying life events.
• Partner with brokers, carriers, third-party administrators, payroll providers, and internal stakeholders to ensure effective plan administration and issue resolution.
• Provide leadership and guidance related to benefits plan design, policies, employee communications, compliance, and ongoing benefits operations.
• Lead benefits due diligence efforts for mergers, acquisitions, and organizational integrations, including plan analysis, compliance reviews, vendor coordination, employee transition planning, and benefit harmonization strategies.
• Analyze benefits utilization, costs, trends, and HR data to identify opportunities for program improvement, cost containment, and an improved employee experience.
• Manage complex and escalated benefits matters involving eligibility, plan interpretation, compliance, and employee concerns.
• Provide HR guidance to client organizations on employee relations, performance management, policy interpretation, employment compliance, and other day-to-day HR matters.
• Support sensitive or complex employee relations matters, including investigations and disciplinary processes, as appropriate.
• Manage multiple client priorities while maintaining responsiveness, accuracy, and consistent service delivery.
• Lead or support HR projects, process improvements, and documentation of policies, procedures, and workflows.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience administering employee benefit programs across all 50 states, with a strong understanding of federal and state compliance requirements.
• Expertise managing complex benefits structures, including multiple employee eligibility groups, varied plan designs, and diverse workforce populations.
• Advanced knowledge of ACA eligibility and measurement periods, including the administration and interpretation of look-back measurement, stability, and administrative periods for different employee classifications.
• Experience overseeing multiple health and welfare benefit plans, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and voluntary benefit offerings.
• Working knowledge of deferred compensation and retirement programs, including 403(b), 401(k), nonqualified deferred compensation plans, and executive benefit arrangements.
• Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, and organizational integrations, including benefits due diligence, plan harmonization, employee transition strategies, vendor coordination, and post-acquisition benefits administration.
• Proven ability to assess benefits-related risks, identify compliance considerations, and develop recommendations during organizational growth, restructuring, and acquisition activities.
• Broad HR experience supporting areas such as employee relations, performance management, policy interpretation, employment compliance, and HR operations.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive human resources experience, with significant experience managing complex employee benefits programs and broader HR responsibilities.
• Thorough understanding of local, state, and federal laws involving employment, HR, and benefits administration
• Previous Workday and Ceridian systems experience preferred.
• Proficient with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite, or related software
• Proficient with or the ability to quickly learn the organization’s HRIS, payroll, and similar human resource management software and practices

Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, or a related field required.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, CEBS, or related HR or benefits certification preferred.

About ContinuServe:

ContinuServe is a tech-enabled outsourcing firm that partners with clients to provide finance, accounting, human resources and technology services. We have deep category knowledge and personalized service to impact your bottom line daily. We provide strategies that streamline and strengthen your operations in today’s fast-paced environment.

We Are Built for the Pace of Possibility.

ContinuServe is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a culturally diverse workforce. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all candidates and team members. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, height, weight, marital status, gender identity expression, disability status, protected veteran, or other legally protected status by state or federal law.