Benefits Lead

About PHOENIX 

PHOENIX Retail, LLC is a retail platform operating the Express and Bonobos brands worldwide. Express is a multichannel apparel brand dedicated to a design philosophy rooted in modern, confident and effortless style whether dressing for work, everyday or special occasions. Bonobos is a menswear brand known for being pioneers of exceptional fit and a personalized, innovative retail model. Customers can experience our brands in over 400 Express retail and Express Factory Outlet stores, 50 Bonobos Guideshops, and online at www.express.com and www.bonobos.com.

About Express

Express is a multichannel apparel brand dedicated to creating confidence and inspiring self-expression. Since its launch in 1980, the brand has embraced a design philosophy rooted in modern, confident and effortless style. Whether dressing for work, everyday or special occasions, Express ensures you look and feel your best, wherever life takes you.

The Company operates over 400 retail and outlet stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, the express.com online store and the Express mobile app.

POSITION OVERVIEW 

The Benefits Lead oversees the administration of benefit, wellness, and associate programs while supervising a team. The role provides subject matter expertise, ensures compliance, and drives process improvement in partnership with vendors and HR leadership.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide day-to-day oversight of benefits administration, serving as the primary escalation point for complex associate issues and vendor concerns
• Partner with vendors and third-party administrators to deliver benefit programs for Phoenix Retail associates
• Lead or support the implementation of new benefit vendors or programs, including file feed/account structure development, claims processing review, and associate communications
• Oversee leave of absence (LOA) administration in partnership with external vendors, ensuring compliance with federal/state regulations, accurate processing, and timely resolution of escalated issues. Provide support and guidance by addressing questions and concerns from associates, managers, and leadership
• Oversee 401(k) and retirement plan administration in partnership with external recordkeepers and Payroll, ensuring compliance with plan requirements, accurate processing of contributions, and timely resolution of escalated participant issues
• Document and maintain administrative procedures for assigned benefit processes
• Process monthly billings and the preparation of vouchers for payment of administrative fees for all group plans
• Run and prepare scheduled and ad hoc benefits reporting and associated tasks
• Coordinate transfer of data to external contacts for services, premiums and plan administration
• Prepare, collect and organize data to perform plan audits
• Plan, coordinate, and deliver communications for all benefit plans, programs, and wellness events (i.e., flu shots, mobile screenings, etc.), ensuring consistent messaging and associate engagement
• Collaborate and cultivate relationships with HR partners, Payroll, IT, Technology and third-party vendors
• Supervise and mentor a team by assigning tasks, reviewing work for accuracy, and training new team members on benefits processes
• Assist Compensation HR partners with compensation-related projects as assigned
• Train new Benefits Administrators on administrative procedures for their assigned benefit processes
• Other essential tasks, including those that are not listed, as assigned

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or a related field, additional years of service considered in lieu of degree
• 5+ years of experience in benefits administration, including 1-2 years in a lead, senior, or supervisory capacity 
• Working knowledge of benefit and retirement plans
• Demonstrated ability to deal with sensitive and confidential information
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Demonstrated problem solving, time management and priority setting skills

CRITICAL SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES

• Professional certification, preferably CEBS (Certified Employee Benefit Specialist)

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An equal opportunity employer, PHOENIX does not discriminate in recruiting, hiring or any other terms and conditions of employment hiring on the basis of any federal, state, or locally protected characteristic. PHOENIX only hires individuals authorized for employment in the United States. PHOENIX is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you need an accommodation to search and apply for a job position due to a disability, please call 1-800-964-9793 and say 'Associate Relations' or send an e-mail to AssociateRelations@Express.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Notification to Agencies: Please note that PHOENIX does not accept unsolicited resumes or calls from third-party recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Master Service Agreement and approval from HR to submit resumes for a specific requisition, PHOENIX will not consider or approve payment to any third-parties for hires made.