Benefits Manager

Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Manager of Benefits to join law firm in Downtown Houston. This is a highly visible leadership opportunity for an experienced benefits professional who understands the unique needs and expectations of a law firm environment.

This position will lead a small team of Benefits Administrators and oversee the day-to-day operations and continued development of the firm’s benefits programs. The ideal candidate brings significant benefits experience within a law firm, strong knowledge of health and welfare and retirement programs, and experience supporting populations that include partners, attorneys, and professional staff. This role offers a hybrid schedule with four days onsite in the Downtown Houston office and one remote day per week.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead and develop a small team of Benefits Administrators, including setting priorities, delegating responsibilities, providing coaching, and ensuring consistently high-quality service.
• Oversee day-to-day benefits operations, including health and welfare, retirement, leave programs, vendor relationships, annual renewals, compliance filings, and open enrollment.
• Serve as a benefits subject-matter expert and provide guidance on complex plan provisions, compliance matters, and benefits questions.
• Research market trends, analyze benefits data and claims experience, and develop recommendations related to benefit strategy and plan design.
• Prepare presentations, dashboards, talking points, and other materials for executive leadership and committee meetings.
• Support Health and Welfare Committee activities, including agendas, pre-reads, data summaries, decision materials, and follow-up items.
• Oversee employee benefits communications, including open enrollment materials, newsletters, intranet content, FAQs, and employee-facing communications.
• Manage relationships with benefits vendors and ensure programs and services meet the firm’s expectations.
• Stay current on regulatory requirements, including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, and applicable DOL and IRS requirements.
• Establish strong processes, controls, and service standards to ensure benefits administration is accurate, compliant, timely, and handled with discretion.
• Participate in benefits-related projects involving mergers and acquisitions, system implementations, technology upgrades, and other organizational initiatives.

What We’re Looking For

• 7+ years of progressive benefits experience covering health and welfare, retirement, leave administration, and compliance.
• Substantial benefits administration experience within a law firm environment is required.
• Strong understanding of the unique benefits needs of partners, associates, counsel, attorneys, and professional staff.
• Previous experience supervising, coaching, and developing benefits professionals.
• Strong knowledge of plan design, annual renewals, vendor management, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience overseeing open enrollment and employee benefits communications.
• Ability to analyze benefits data and turn findings into clear, actionable recommendations for senior leadership.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex benefits information to different audiences.
• Strong project management, prioritization, organization, and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, along with experience working with HRIS and benefits administration platforms.

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• CEBS, CBP, or similar benefits certification is preferred.