Benefits and Compensation Manager

Description

The Benefits and Compensation Manager is a functional manager and is responsible for the administration, oversight, and continuous improvement of the organization’s total rewards programs, with primary accountability for the end-to-end management of all team member benefits offerings and compensation administration within an established framework. This role serves as the functional lead for the organization’s health, welfare, retirement, executive, and voluntary benefits programs by overseeing plan administration, vendor partnerships, compliance, financial management, and the resulting team member experience. The position manages the full lifecycle of benefits operations, ensuring programs are competitive, cost-effective, and compliant with all applicable regulations. In addition, this role administers compensation programs in alignment with the organization’s compensation philosophy, salary structures, and pay practices.  As an individual contributor and subject matter expert, this position operates with a high degree of autonomy and independent judgement, partnering closely with HR Centers of Excellence, Finance, senior leadership, and external vendors to effectively execute total rewards programs that support attraction, retention, and the organization’s mission of Building Better Lives.

Business Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30AM - 5:30PM 

*Based upon business needs, our positions may require working flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

This position in based in Anaheim Hills CA with the opportunity to work a hybrid-remote schedule which consist of 2 days in-office and 3 days working remote from home.

Why Work at CU SoCal?

CU SoCal is one of the fastest growing credit unions and is more than just a place to work. It’s a place where people come before profit, a place where you can build a career that’s more than a job, and where the work you do has meaning and purpose. We offer competitive pay, great health benefits and a culture like no other!

CU SoCal Earns The Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award—For The 3rd Year in a Row!

We’re proud to announce that CU SoCal has once again been recognized with the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award (GEWA)—marking our third consecutive year receiving this prestigious honor. Even more exciting, CU SoCal was one of only five credit unions nationwide to earn the award in 2025.

This recognition highlights organizations that lead the way in team member engagement and workplace culture. There are several criteria need for organizations to qualify, including achieving an 80%+ survey participation rate and an overall engagement score of 4.65 or higher—standards that place CU SoCal among the top workplaces in the world.

The CU SoCal culture fosters Building Better Lives for our Members, personal development, open communication, and genuine care for each other. We prioritize C.A.R.E. 4: professional competence, positive attitude, relationship building, and eager service to others. If you're passionate about making a difference and want to be part of a dynamic team, explore CU SoCal career opportunities today!

Requirements

 Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in benefits administration, including serving as a primary owner of a benefits function with demonstrated ability to independently manage end-to-end program administration with minimal oversight. 
• 1+ year of experience in compensation program administration.
• Proficiency with HRIS systems and reporting, including EDI file feeds (Paylocity experience preferred).
• Experience managing broker and vendor relationships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance or related field.
• Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) or comparable certification.

Skills and Abilities

• Expert-level knowledge of benefits compliance requirements and regulations (ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA,   Section 125, etc.)
• Ability to manage benefits and compensation programs independently with minimal oversight and direction.
• Attention to detail, execution discipline, and commitment to high-quality work product.
• Demonstrated analytical skills and   comfort working with sensitive and confidential benefits and compensation   data.
• Ability to leverage data to inform and support recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Strong communication and team member education skills.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Proficient in all applicable MS Office programs (i.e., Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, etc.).
• Lead the end-to-end management and administration of all team member benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, life, disability, executive benefits, voluntary benefits, and wellness programs and initiatives.
• Serve as the primary liaison with benefits brokers, carriers, TPAs, and vendors.
• Manage annual renewal process including plan evaluation, cost analysis, benchmarking, and recommendations.
• Partner with senior leadership and Finance on benefits budgeting and cost forecasting.
• Lead annual open enrollment planning and execution, including communications strategy and team member education.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations (ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, Section 125, etc.)
• Oversee plan documentation, filings, audits, and required notices.
• Analyze utilization data and trends to recommend plan design improvements and cost-containment strategies.
• Monitor vendor performance and service levels; drive issue resolution and continuous improvement.
• Develop and maintain clear, team member-friendly benefits communications and resources.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for team members with benefits-related issues, partnering with brokers, vendors, and third-parties to ensure effective and timely resolution.
• Administer compensation programs in alignment with established compensation philosophy, salary structures, and internal guidelines.
• Manage annual merit cycle and market adjustments.
• Conduct job evaluations and market pricing using established tools and methodologies.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition, HR Business Partners, HR leadership, and hiring managers on offer recommendations within approved ranges and practices.
• Maintain salary structures, pay ranges, and job architecture documentation.
• Ensure compliance with minimum wage laws, pay transparency laws, and internal equity practices.
• Provide reporting and analysis to support workforce planning and pay equity reviews.
• Serve as the primary back-up for payroll processing, including processing the organization-wide biweekly payroll at least once per quarter.
• Complete understanding and active application the C.A.R.E. 4 Guide expectations and the Brand Communications Standards Accountability Philosophy.
• Must be able and available to work a “hybrid” schedule, per business operations requirement, as needed.
• Additional duties and responsibilities, as assigned. 

We support Pay Transparency and are a pay-for-performance organization that benchmarks base pay to the 50th percentile of market data.

Pay Scale:  Min. $90,568.30 / Mid. $118,188.72 / Max. $142,084.80 * per year

Actual compensation will be based on geographical location, work experience, education and/or skill level.

CU SoCal is an equal opportunity employer. All decisions are based only on the individual’s qualifications/ability to perform the work. The above statements are intended to describe the essential functions, nature and level or work to be performed as of the document preparation date; they are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. CU SoCal reserves the right to modify this job description at any time, without notice.

We foster an environment and culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, and fulfill our mission of Building Better Lives.