About this opportunity
Crucial Hire lists this Benefits Manager opportunity in des plaines, Illinois. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Benefits Manager toLead Self-Funded & Wellness Strategy – Help Build a Healthier Workplace
On-site at least 3 days a week at one of the following locations:
Des Plaines, IL (Chicago area) | Addison, TX (Dallas area) | Brookhaven, GA (North Atlanta area)
Full-Time | Exempt
Compensation: $120K–$140K + Bonus
Confidential Search – Posted by a trusted HR Executive Search Partner
About the Opportunity
A national professional services and real estate company, backed by a leading investment group, is seeking ahands-on, strategic Benefits Manager to lead and elevate its self-funded benefits and wellness strategy.
You will be responsible forowning and modernizing employee health benefits, wellness programs, compliance governance, and vendor partnerships across a workforce of 1,200+ employees.
This is a highly visible role: you will interact regularly with top executives and must be able to communicate with polish, clarity, and confidence at every level of the organization — building trust up, across, and down the leadership chain.
This role is perfect for a trueplayer-coach — someone who can seamlessly shift between strategic leadership and daily operational execution.
Why This Role Matters
This is more than a benefits administration role — it's astrategic leadership opportunity .
The company is evolving rapidly and needs a benefits leader who can:
Drive smarter outcomes inhealth and wellbeing programs .
Redesign thewellness strategy for 2025 and beyond.
Ensure compliance strength forself-funded plans .
Build a better benefits experience that supports employee retention, satisfaction, andorganizational health .
If you want to make avisible impact — this is your opportunity to shine.
What You’ll Own & Lead
Strategic Benefits Management
Modernize and manageself-funded medical plans , 401(k) offerings, life, disability, and ancillary benefits.
Proactively manage broker and vendor relationships —own the strategy , don't outsource it.
Benchmark against industry trends to keep offerings competitive and sustainable.
Wellbeing Program Redesign & Execution
Launch adata-driven wellness strategy that goes beyond flu shots — focusing on mental health, chronic disease prevention, nutrition, and holistic wellbeing.
Tie wellness initiatives to measurable outcomes,employee engagement, and healthcare cost management.
Compliance & Governance Leadership
Own end-to-end compliance processes for HIPAA, ACA, ERISA, ADA, FMLA, and 5500s.
Manage nondiscrimination testing, audit preparation, and claims reporting for self-funded health plans.
Benefits Communication & Employee Education
Build communication campaigns thattranslate complex benefits into clear, engaging education .
Create a better onboarding and total compensation education experience for employees.
Leadership & Culture Building
Supervise aBenefits & Leave Specialist, serving as amentor and escalation point.
Act as a trusted partner to Total Rewards and HR Leadership in shaping the future of the employee experience.
Data-Driven Decision Making
Leverage Workday (or similar HRIS), Excel, and vendor reporting to monitor plan performance and trends.
Use insights to proactively recommend plan design improvements and engagement initiatives.
What Will Make You Successful
Hands-on experience with self-funded benefit plans (not just fully insured).
Strategic mindset and tactical follow-through — comfortable executing and leading.
Experience designing wellness programs tied to measurable outcomes.
Confident, polished communication skills — able to engage with employees and executives alike.
Collaborative but proactive leadership style — able to work independently when needed.
Strong knowledge of benefits compliance and U.S. regulations.
Analytical acumen to track trends, optimize plans, and drive smart decisions.
Requirements
5+ years of progressive experience in benefits leadership roles.
Hands-on management ofself-funded health plans required.
Bachelor’s degree required;CEBS or similar certification preferred .
Experience supervising benefits specialists or HR team members.
Strong knowledge of compliance requirements (HIPAA, ACA, ERISA, ADA).
Comfort with HRIS platforms likeWorkday and proficiency with Excel.
Why Join This Company?
Backed by a large leading investment group.
High-growth environment with a focus on strategic HR leadership.
Dynamic, collaborative, fast-paced workplace culture.
Opportunity toown and elevate the entire benefits and well-being function.
Make a visible, lasting impact on the organization's future.
This is a confidential search managed by Crucial Hire.
Click here to apply online
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Worksite address
des plaines, IL, 60019, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.