Benefits & Retirement Program Manager

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

The Program Manager, Benefits and Retirement, reports directly to the Director of Total Rewards. This position is responsible for the management and day to day administration of Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro) and Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) benefit and retirement plan administration. This position will assist in managing contracts with third party vendors for benefits and retirement services to ensure contract compliance and high-quality service. 

#LI-Hybrid

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

Benefits Strategy & Administration

• Administer and plan day-to-day operations of all group benefit programs (health, dental, vision, life, STD/LTD, FSA/HSA, voluntary benefits, 401(k), 457(b) and pension), ensuring alignment with employee needs, organizational resources, and regulatory requirements.

Leadership & Oversight

• Manage and supervise the Benefits Administrator to ensure effective administration of FMLA, benefits, and retirement plans in accordance with CapMetro standards.

Program Analysis & Design

• Analyze benefit utilization, coverage, cost, effectiveness, plan experience, and competitive trends; assist the Director in evaluating plan design, cost-effectiveness, employee satisfaction, and recommend improvements while ensuring plan documentation and SPDs remain accurate and current.

Vendor & Contract Management

• Serve as Project Manager for third-party administrators and consultants supporting health and welfare benefits, voluntary benefits, 401(k), and pension plans, ensuring service delivery, contract compliance, and vendor coordination.

Governance, Fiduciary & Compliance

• Ensure fiduciary responsibilities are met by maintaining compliance with applicable laws and regulations; administer activities of the Health Plan Board of Trustees, 401(k) Committee, Pension Committees, and support internal benefit committee obligations.

Open Enrollment & Employee Education

• Lead end-to-end planning and execution of annual Open Enrollment and deliver or coordinate ongoing employee education and communication programs to promote understanding and effective use of benefits.

Retirement Plan Administration

• Oversee 401(k) and pension plan operations including payroll coordination for timely biweekly 401(k) deposits, recordkeeper data accuracy, QDRO review, missing participant processes, loan delinquency, automatic payouts, and retiree health-related stipend administration with timely quarterly payments.

Audit, Reporting & Regulatory Filings

• Coordinate internal and external audits for benefit and retirement plans; manage regulatory filings, financial statement review, disclosures, and Texas Pension Review Board training and required plan reporting.

Data Integrity & Recordkeeping

• Ensure accuracy and completeness of participant data and administrative reports; investigate discrepancies, address non-routine participant inquiries, and maintain compliant document retention for audits and governance purposes.

Committee & Trustee Support

• Prepare, coordinate, and maintain accurate meeting materials, minutes, and records for 401(k), Pension Committees, and Health Plan Board of Trustees, including quarterly, special, or electronic meetings, ensuring audit readiness and documentation integrity.

• Support Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Safety Management Systems (SMS) process by ensuring staff follows safety and security policies, considers safety in every action, and ensures safety and security concerns are reported.  

• Perform other position related duties as required and/or assigned.  

RESPONSIBILITIES - SUPERVISOR AND/OR LEADERSHIP EXERCISED:  

Direct and manage department personnel by planning, scheduling, delegating, and overseeing employee work assignments, authorizing, coordinating, and scheduling work with vendors and consultants, conducting personnel actions, including, hiring, interviewing, and overseeing hiring, training, work assignments, and performance evaluations.  

WHAT YOU BRING

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, human resources, or related field. Requires PHR, CBP, CEBS, or other relevant professional certification. Related experience may substitute for educational requirements on a year-for-year basis. 

• Eight (8) years of experience as human resources professional, including five (5) years administering or supporting employee benefit plans for retirement, including both defined contribution and benefit plans. 

• Two (2) years of management experience either managing employees or projects

• Intermediate expertise with Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to analyze complex data and summarize it in easily understandable form. 

• Project and team management/leadership skills and experience. Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment with associates. Capability of effective planning and priority setting. Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously while working under pressure to meet deadlines.

• Strong analytical skills and a thorough knowledge of plan designs. Ability to understand, evaluate and make judgments on the request for proposals (RFPs).

• Strong knowledge and understanding of insurance regulations, plan designs and third-party record keeping/administration required. Familiarity with COBRA, ERISA, FMLA, PPACA and related state and federal regulations.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume environment, and to maintain confidentiality.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and the public. 

• Working knowledge of all applicable employment laws.

• Excellent oral and written communications skills.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

   

   

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

Work is generally performed in an office environment in which there is only minimal exposure to unpleasant and/or hazardous working conditions. This position works with multiple project timelines and is responsible for managing employees performing work of a complex nature. 

Incumbent must be able to stand and sit frequently throughout an eight-hour period, reach vertically for overhead use and horizontally. Must be able to use a telephone or headset equipment. Incumbents must be able to lift and move material weighing up to 20 lbs., perform work at a computer terminal for 6-8 hours a day, and function in an environment with constant interruptions. 

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disability to perform the essential functions as previously described. 

WORK AUTHORIZATION 

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. All applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.

Mobility Status: 

As a Hybrid position, onsite presence is guided by team collaboration needs, customer and front-line team member interactions, and role responsibilities. People Leaders will set expectations for onsite presence; however, incumbents are generally encouraged to work 8 to 12 days in office per month. Mobility status is subject to change at any time based on business needs or organizational decisions.

COMMITMENT TO EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY   

CapMetro is an equal employment opportunity employer and committed to creating a welcoming environment for all employees. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, pregnancy, age, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. CapMetro makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and organization needs at the time. 

SECURITY SENSITIVE POSITION

This position has been identified as a “Security Sensitive” position. CapMetro will conduct annual background checks on incumbents in this position. A position is “Security Sensitive” if the incumbent handles currency, has access to sensitive computerized databases, has access to master keys, or works in an area of the CapMetro that has been designated as a security-sensitive area.