The Role 

The Director/Manager, Benefits will lead the benefits function for Green Thumb Industries, a rapidly growing organization of nearly 2,000 employees.  This is a newly created position due to growth, and you will be a key leader on the Total Rewards and overall People teams. You will be responsible for leading open enrollment, compliance, and administration of our benefits programs, leave process, and 401(k).  You are excited to learn new systems, establish SOPs, lead ongoing communication and education initiatives, interact directly with employees at all levels and implement platform integrations, all while executing day-to-day tasks with a high level of accuracy.  

**We are open to talent at both manager and director level for this role.**

Responsibilities 

Benefit Administration

• Manage and administer (either directly or with vendors) all benefits programs
• Manage annual Open Enrollment including communication, enrollment tracking, forms, changes, and updating vendors with new information
• Ensure we are following ACA rules (SME) and process accurate 1095 forms
• Audit benefit records to ensure accuracy and consistency of data across various benefit systems both internally and externally with vendors
• Process benefit self-billing and review to ensure all additions, changes and terminations are updated with our Benefit vendors on a regular basis
• Assist employees with benefit related questions or issues

Strategy and Partnership

• Lead all employee benefit initiatives in partnership with the People team
• Identify opportunities for process and system improvements within the benefits administration function and own from inception to implementation
• Lead initiatives as we consider new benefits offerings or enhancements to current programs
• Spearhead the Green Thumb’s Wellness initiatives by evaluating vendors, program roll-out, communication and administration of the programs

Leave Administration

• Interpret and apply policies, procedures and guidelines and update payroll with leave notifications
• Act as a liaison to process all short- and long-term absences, determine eligibility for various leave programs including FMLA, ADA, STD and LTD according to established guidelines and provide employees, payroll and managers with required timely notice.
• Counsel employees and supervisors concerning leave benefits and provide employees with accurate information on deductions from pay relating to absences, medical certification requirements, return-to-work dates, etc
• Develop and present leave trainings for employees and managers
• Analyze and reconcile leave discrepancies

Workers Compensation Administration

• Receive and process accident reports and workers’ compensation claims and file all insurance forms in a timely manner.
• Communicate with workers’ compensation insurance carrier, doctors, nurses, and health care providers to ensure appropriate processing of claims.
• Update employee file and payroll with status updates and pay information.
• Establish and maintain contact with injured employees and aid with claims.
• Assist payroll with workers’ compensation audits.

Qualifications  

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business Administration, or related field 
• 7+ years of designing, implementing and administering benefits programs  
• In depth knowledge and understanding of US benefits (medical, 401(k), leave, risk, payroll deduction based, perquisites, etc.) programs, design, funding, administration, and engagement for both salaried and hourly employees 
• Expert knowledge of federal and state regulations that govern benefit plans and leave management to include ERISA, ACA, IRS, FMLA, HIPAA, COBRA, and other applicable Labor and/or Tax federal, state and municipality laws and regulations around US benefits 
• Advanced data aptitude, your business recommendations are based on solid quantitative analysis with a high degree of accuracy, attention to detail with advanced Excel capabilities 
• Experience managing workers compensation funding and program management required 
• Experience in evaluating and implementing successful creative benefit programs within organizations 
• Proven experience with change management in a fast-paced, high growth organization 
• Strong organizational and time-management skills 
• Ability to interact and communicate with all levels within the organization including comfort with executive leadership 
• Highly motivated, self-directed, innovative and able to work independently or among teams with keen judgement, common sense and resourcefulness 
• Adapts and thrives in a demanding, fast-paced environment 
• Possesses a high level of critical thinking 
• Operates with a high level of professionalism and integrity, including dealing with confidential information 
• Must understand and comply with the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of Green Thumb 
• Must have a solid understanding of the Cannabis laws, rules and regulations and passion to further their understanding and knowledge of the industry and the laws. 

Additional Requirements 

• Must pass any and all required background checks  
• Must be and remain compliant with all legal or company regulations for working in the industry