Who We Are

At Benesch we pride ourselves on exceeding expectations and building trust not only with our clients but with our employees - Benesch's #1 asset. Committed to providing not only the highest level of legal service to our clients, Benesch also aspires to create a positive work environment for our employees. Our Firm continues to earn placement on Chicago and Cleveland's Top Workplaces list, along with Cleveland's NorthCoast 99 Top Workplaces rankings. We also continue to advance on the AmLaw 200 list, placing us among the top 200 law firms in the country.

Benesch is proud to be recognized for being a Firm that attracts and retains top talent - making Benesch a great place to work. We offer a hybrid schedule, career development and growth, transparent and visible leadership teams, and a place where diversity, equity and inclusion is celebrated. In addition, the Firm offers a full array of benefits which can be viewed at www.mybeneschbenefits.com.

Working with Us - Come and "Be Benesch!"

We are Cleveland's second largest law firm, and have offices in Chicago, Columbus, San Francisco, New York City, Wilmington, and Hackensack. We continue to expand our geographic footprint and value the talent that comprises each of our locations. If you are someone who champions a First in Service approach and are ready to be part of an exciting and growing Firm, we would invite you to apply to join our team.

Want to know more? To hear from some of our team, click here: https://www.beneschlaw.com/careers/index.html

Benesch is proud to announce the opening for a Benefits Manager in our Cleveland office!

Position Summary:

The Benefits Manager is responsible for the management and day-to-day administration of the Firm's benefits plans, leave of absence programs, and other wellness initiatives. The position ensures compliance with government regulations, recommends program changes to ensure a competitive market position, while effectively interacting with internal and external clients and peers. The position works closely with the Chief Human Resources Officer to facilitate strategic benefits initiatives and projects. Provides internal advice, consulting services, and facilitates education and training to employees about benefits and leave policies.

Essential Functions:

1. Manages the day-to-day benefits-related activities and acts as a liaison between HR, Internal Communications, Payroll, and Finance.

2. Resolves employee questions and problems by providing an expert level interpretation of benefit policies and procedures. Will appropriately prioritize and resolve escalated benefit and leave issues.

3. Leads benefits education and training efforts to increase the understanding and utilization of Firm benefits. Collaborates with the HR Communications team to optimize benefits communication rollouts, intranet information, and other internal communication vehicles.

4. Works thoughtfully with the CHRO on benefits strategy, design, implementation, and administration.

5. Owns benefit program development and recommendations using competitive data, industry trends, costs, and employee experience feedback. Determines opportunities to improve Firm benefit plans and employee experience through new or enhanced programs, processes, vendors and tools.

6. Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local legal requirements by studying existing laws and regulations and updates to legal requirements as it pertains to benefits and leaves. This includes ensuring governmental notices and filings are completed accurately and timely.

7. Effectively utilizes available reporting tools and creates reporting tools to interface with vendors, provide meaningful reports to management and support the necessary documentation and activities related to the responsibilities of the position.

8. Manages timelines/project plans for all benefits related activities (annual open enrollment, benefit plan audits, compliance testing, etc.); engaging vendors and brokers as required.

9. Manages the Benefits Administration platform to ensure it is up to date and accurate at all times. Works with employees to complete workflows in defined timelines. Partners with ben admin system on system configuration and enhancements.

10. Leads Firm disability and life insurance program administration. Works closely with vendor to ensure appropriate coverage is in place consistent with the Partnership agreement for Partners. Assists in claims administration with employees.

11. Drives employee communications and engagement as it relates to benefits. Responsible for identifying our communications needs and methods that best meet the needs of our audience. Partner with internal and external communications partners for the development and delivery of communications.

12. Manage and administers the Firm's workers compensation program working closely with our third-party administrator to ensure compliance and appropriate coverage. Responsible for documentation of worker's compensation claims administration.

13. Manages vendor relationships to ensure all vendors are performing consistent with SLA's and contractual obligations. Acts as an interface for employee advocacy, issue identification and issue resolution. Escalates issues or concerns as appropriate.

14. Manages the Firm's wellness programs including but not limited to: trainings (healthy lifestyle, CPR, etc.,) medical screenings, flu shots, massotherapist visits, and firm-wide wellness challenges.

15. Reviews vendor invoices to ensure billing is consistent with governing documents and census data for defined time period. Submits invoices for payment as needed.

16. Leads the budgeting process for benefits and monthly tracking of benefits spend relative to plan.

Additional Functions:

1. Participates in budget preparation as it relates to Human Resources.

2. Assists HR in the ordering of welcome/bereavement/life event gifts as needed.

3. Works with the SR HR Manager on the required compliance postings and notices for all Firm office locations.

Confidentiality:

Due to the nature of your employment, various documents and information, which are of a confidential nature, will come into your possession. Such documents and information must be kept confidential at all times.

Qualifications:

The Benefits Manager must have a Bachelor's Degree and seven or more years of related experience in benefits administration. Experience in a law firm or professional services environment is preferred, in addition to experience with self-funding organizations. Must possess good communication skills and carry out responsibilities in a very professional, customer service-oriented manner. Must have an expert-level working knowledge of FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, COBRA, ERISA, and PPACA. Proficiency in HR systems and benefits administration technology platforms (e.g. PlanSource, ADP) preferred. Must have a demonstrated ability to manage deadlines, prioritize workload, and benefit broker and vendor relationships.

Benesch is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability (where applicant is qualified to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations), medical condition, protected veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Applicants who are interested in applying for a position and require special assistance or an accommodation during the process due to a disability should contact the Benesch Human Resources Department by phone at 216-363-6286 or email at lgillmore@beneschlaw.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities