Benefits Program Manager

As a member of the Benefits team, you will help to ensure that Penumbra offers innovative and competitive benefits and retirement programs to attract and retain top talent.  You will play a key role in supporting the design, communication, ongoing administration, and vendor management for certain programs and processes for all U.S. employees.  You will independently resolve complex benefits and retirement issues, ensuring plan compliance, and provide top-notch, employee-focused customer service.

What You’ll Work On

• Administer various benefit and retirement programs and systems, ensuring proper setup, data accuracy, and regulatory compliance.  Specific programs may vary and may include healthcare, spending accounts, life insurance, disability, and 401(k).

• Manage vendors, including selection, timely issue resolution, maintaining and implementing file feeds, and ensuring compliance with service level agreements, escalating issues as needed.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with broker, vendors, and other HR functions and departments to effectively resolve employee issues and comply with company policies and legal requirements.

• Drive data integrity and accuracy in company HR/benefit and vendor systems, maintaining strict confidentiality as required.  Develop and maintain audit, research, troubleshooting, and resolution processes in partnership with HR Technology team.

• Lead various benefits and communications initiatives, projects, and system enhancements in accordance with established project management methodologies.  Projects may vary and may include annual enrollment, annual reporting, health education, new programs, and systems enhancements.

• Develop and maintain systems, and materials for communicating employee benefit and retirement information, including training HR team and employees and updating FAQs and benefits portal.

• Lead compliance efforts for benefit and retirement programs, including recordkeeping, non-discrimination testing, plan documents, required notices, government filings, and internal and external audits.

• Evaluate benefit and retirement programs and process/system improvements and develop proposals for enhancements.  Monitor benefit trends, researching trends, best practices, and cost of implementing new programs.  Stay abreast of applicable benefits and retirement legislation and compliance requirements.

• Create and maintain procedure and process documentation, including checklists.

• Cross-train and serve as back-up for other Benefits team members as needed.

• Adhere to the Company’s Quality Management System (QMS) as well as domestic and global quality system regulations, standards, and procedures.

• Understand relevant security, privacy and compliance principles and adhere to the regulations, standards, and procedures that are applicable to the Company.

• Ensure other members of the department follow the QMS, regulations, standards, and procedures.

• Perform other work-related duties as assigned

What You Contribute

• Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years of Human Resources or Benefits experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience

• Knowledge of key concepts and regulations in human resources, benefits, etc. A plus to have background in international benefits, wellness, leave of absences, Workers’ Compensation, and systems management. 

• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills. 

• Strong customer service skills and ability to handle issues with sensitivity, empathy, patience, and confidentiality. 

• High degree of accuracy, thoroughness, and attention to detail. 

• Excellent organizational and follow up skills with ability to prioritize work and meet deliverables while handling various complex projects simultaneously.

• Excellent research, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Ability to analyze large amounts of benefits data for reporting, auditing, etc.

• Ability to work on complex problems and projects in which analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of various factors. Exercises independent judgment within broadly defined practices and policies. Proactive and self-driven to figure out and recommend creative solutions or identify process improvements, knows when to ask questions or escalate, and provides regular project updates.

• Strong proficiency with MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Teams and SharePoint knowledge a plus.

• Experience with benefit/HR system implementation a plus. UKG Pro experience a plus.

Working Conditions

General office environment. Willingness and ability to work on site in Alameda, CA. Must be able to remain stationary and use a computer or other standard office equipment, such as a printer or copy machine, for an extensive period of time each day. Must be able to communicate and exchange accurate information with employees at all levels on a daily basis. Must be able to read, prepare emails, and produce documents and spreadsheets.  Must be able to move within the office and access file cabinets or supplies, as needed. Must be able to move between buildings and floors. Requires some lifting and moving of up to 20-30 pounds.   

Annual Base Salary Range: $120,000 - $170,000

We offer a competitive compensation package plus a benefits and equity program, when applicable. Individual total compensation will vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies, and work location.