Strategic Benefits Program Manager

Arthur J. Gallagher · Salt Lake City

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Essential Functions

Core Responsibilities (All Program Managers):

• Manages assigned benefit program portfolios, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy and employee needs.
• Evaluates program effectiveness, vendor performance, employee experience, and cost implications.
• Conducts benchmarking, gap analysis, and research to support program recommendations.
• Develops program options, implementation plans, timelines, and leadership recommendations.
• Translates strategy into operational requirements, including impacts to systems, vendors, Shared Services, and communications.
• Serves as the Benefits COE liaison to Shared Services and ensures alignment between policy and operations.
• Owns policy, procedures, and compliance governance for assigned programs.
• Coordinates vendor, broker, and consultant interactions, including performance evaluation and implementation support.
• Provides subject matter expertise for employee communications and education strategies.
• Leads cross-functional benefit projects and change initiatives.

Program Area Focus: Health & Welfare Portfolio

• Designs and manages health and welfare programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and voluntary health-related plans.
• Leads plan design strategy, evaluating coverage options, cost structures, and employee experience to ensure competitive and effective programs.
• Monitors vendor performance and service delivery, ensuring alignment with program goals, contractual expectations, and employee needs.
• Supports and develops open enrollment strategy, including plan offerings, decision support, and employee engagement approaches.
• Analyzes healthcare utilization, claims trends, and population health data to inform program improvements and cost management strategies.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of employee benefits programs and plan design across multiple domains.

• Strong understanding of either health & welfare or retirement/financial wellness programs.

• Ability to assess program effectiveness and develop strategic recommendations.

• Knowledge of benefits regulations and compliance requirements (e.g., ERISA, ACA, IRS, DOL, HIPAA).

• Strong vendor management and project management skills.

• Ability to translate complex concepts into operational and employee-facing guidance.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

• Ability to influence across a matrixed organization without direct authority.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Health Administration, Public Administration, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in employee benefits, benefits consulting, or a related field.
• Experience supporting or managing benefit program design, vendor coordination, policy interpretation, compliance activities, or large-scale benefits initiatives.
• Experience working with cross-functional stakeholders including Shared Services, HRIS, Payroll, Finance, Legal, Communications, and external vendors or consultants.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects, analyze complex issues, and develop actionable recommendations.

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