Benefits Manager, Leave and Retirement Programs

Overview

Join one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level.

We bring together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world, rooted in open-minded inquiry and representing diverse points of view, who provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis. Research topics cover a full range of public policy issues in economics, foreign policy, development, governance and metropolitan policy.

With fair and transparent business practices, clear communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative atmosphere that offers both professional and personal development opportunities, Brookings offers an inclusive and welcoming workplace that values the efforts of all contributors.

Brookings' Human Resources (HR) department actively develops and implements HR best practices aligned with organizational priorities. The HR team delivers high quality HR services and ensures the recruitment, development, recognition, and retention of a diverse, high performing and engaged workforce, and smooth and efficient operations. We are a collaborative HR team of 17, including Employment, Benefits, Compensation & HR Systems, and Learning & Development, working to provide a supportive and well managed workplace where all employees have a sense of belonging and can contribute in an impactful and meaningful way.

Position Location : This position is hybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC office with the option of two days of remote work each week.

Responsibilities

Ready to contribute to Brookings success?

The Benefits Manager is responsible for the administration of leave, life, disability, and retirement benefit programs, including FMLA, ADA, STD, LTD, state/employer-paid family leave, Workers’ Compensation, LOA, alternative work arrangements (AWAs), life insurance (basic, supplemental, AD&D), and retirement plans (403(b), 457(b), 457(f)). This position ensures legal compliance, operational efficiency, and high-quality service through vendor coordination, systems oversight, data integrity, employee education, and cross-functional collaboration. This position serves as a subject matter expert and primary point of contact for all supported benefit areas. This position reports to the Director of Benefits.

Benefit Program Administration (35%)

• Administer the full lifecycle of leave, life, disability, and retirement benefit programs, including FMLA, ADA, STD, LTD, state/employer-paid family leave, Workers’ Compensation, LOA, AWAs, life insurance (basic, supplemental, AD&D), and retirement plans (403(b), 457(b), 457(f)).

• Ensure compliance with applicable federal and state regulations (e.g., ERISA, ADA, HIPAA, FMLA).

• With oversight from the Director of Benefits, co-lead the planning and execution of open enrollment, wellness initiatives, and employee engagement events.

• Monitor employee leave usage and help staff understand how leaves affect related benefits.

• Collaborate with Payroll, Finance, HRIS, and Legal to ensure timely and accurate benefit processing and issue resolution.

• Support the annual renewal process, including rate review, plan design and implementation of new offerings.

Vendor & Systems Management (20%)

• Manage relationships with third-party vendors and carriers for retirement, leave, life, and disability benefits.

• Monitor vendor performance and coordinate the resolution of service or data issues.

• Oversee benefit-related modules.

• Collaborate with the HRIS team, Finance, and Payroll, as applicable, on system-related projects, such as configuration and testing, vendor transitions, compliance-driven changes, file integrations, and general enhancements.

• Ensure funding and billing processes are accurate and timely

Data Integrity & Auditing (15%)

• Maintain data accuracy by conducting regular audits of enrollments, claims, eligibility, and payroll deductions.

• Perform ongoing reconciliations between internal systems and vendor platforms to ensure alignment and correct discrepancies.

• Monitor and resolve issues with interface files, ensuring accurate data transfers between vendors and internal systems.

• Maintain comprehensive documentation, including Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs), plan summaries, business continuity protocols, and compliance notices.

Employee Communication & Support (15%)

• Serve as the primary contact and subject matter expert for employees, HR Business Partners, and leadership on all leave, life, disability, and retirement benefit matters.

• Provide individualized support on claims, plan selection, eligibility, and benefit utilization.

• Deliver educational materials, conduct new hire benefits orientation, and lead trainings for HR staff on supported benefit areas.

• Maintain and update intranet content related to supported benefit areas, ensuring timely and accurate communication of policies, programs, and resources.

• Manage the benefits ticketing system, ensuring timely, clear, and empathetic responses to employee inquiries.

Compliance & Reporting (10%)

• Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements governing retirement, leave, life, and disability programs.

• Assist with the preparation of reports, plan filings, audits, and internal compliance reviews.

• Stay up to date on benefit-related laws and recommend policy or procedural updates as needed.

Process Improvement (5%)

• Lead periodic reviews of benefits administration workflows to identify opportunities for greater efficiency and improved service.

• Implement changes to increase automation and enhance employee experience.

• Promote consistency and compliance by documenting procedures and educating colleagues on key processes and systems.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Ready to make an impact? In this role, you will support Brookings values of collegiality, respect, inclusion, diversity and community, and bring the following qualifications:

Education/Experience Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business, or related field or equivalent combination of education and related work experience and certification (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, CBP, CEBS or GBA) required. Eight years of HR related experience; minimum of five years of benefits administration experience in positions of increasing levels of responsibility required. Strong aptitude for technology – HRMS experience, desired. Must be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, with solid Excel skills. Project and Time Management experience, a plus. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

This position requires a candidate who is excited about getting ‘hands-on’ with employee benefits and displays the well-rounded skill set to do so; someone who can communicate with clarity to educate employees and colleagues and is also detail-oriented with an eye for process improvement to ensure accurate enrollment, efficiency, and appropriate payment. Must be comfortable working independently and making decisions. Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. Must be thoughtful, responsive, and sensitive in response to employees’ questions or concerns.

Knowledge/Skill Requirements

In-depth benefits administration knowledge. Experience with legal and compliance regulations, including ERISA, HIPAA, FMLA, ACA, and COBRA. Capability to generate and analyze data to drive processes and systems. Superior employee service mindset. Possess the communication skills necessary to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Outstanding time management and project management skills to coordinate multiple complex tasks, projects and priorities simultaneously under deadline pressures. Possess a keen eye for detail and organizational skills. Must be comfortable working independently and making decisions. Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, technology and analytical skills. Must be thoughtful, responsive, and sensitive in response to employees’ questions or concerns.

Use discretion and good judgment in handling sensitive HR matters. Excellent employee service. Resolves problems responsibly, creatively and logically. Ability to generate and analyze data to develop reports and metrics to assess and improve processes and systems. Demonstrated ability to successfully perform in an atmosphere of multiple projects, shifting priorities and deadlines. Ability to work effectively both independently and in a small, collaborative HR team. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite. Mathematical and analytical aptitude required.

Additional Information

What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous time off, and workplace flexibility. For more information, please visit Brookings Benefits.

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document when you apply. Please note: if you have applied to more than one Brookings job opening you should add a position-specific cover letter as a separate attachment.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings.

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms, including diversity of experience, thought, and personal background. We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.All selection decisions are based upon merit, skills, abilities and experience.

Note: Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.