Benefits & Wellness Manager

About Us:

Lush North America supports over 262 retail stores in Canada and the USA, a mail order business based in Vancouver, and manufacturing centers in Vancouver and Toronto. Lush is known for its bath and beauty products, personalized customer service, environmental activism, charitable giving, and vibrant store atmosphere.

The Role:

As the Benefits and Wellness Manager, you will impact the staff experience at Lush by ensuring that benefits programs provide exceptional value and are highly valued by staff. You will ensure benefits processes are well communicated, transparent, and user-friendly. The role requires knowledge of benefits program design and administration best practices in the US and Canada, along with the ability to influence across the organization and ensure consistent application of benefits policies and processes.

Reporting to the Assistant Controller, you will manage relationships with US and Canadian benefits vendors, create and execute an annual plan for benefits and wellness communication and education, oversee efficient staff benefits administration, and measure and report on program success.

Your core RESPONSIBILITIES will include:

• Oversee benefits plan administration, including researching and recommending benefits cost strategies, improving processes, and leading changes to plan design or carriers.
• Collaborate with People and Culture, Payroll, and Finance to manage Canadian and US health, dental, vision, RRSP, 401(k), and other programs effectively.
• Lead annual planning for the evolution of benefits and wellness, including cost reviews and efficient budget management.
• Develop and coach the Benefits team through guidance, feedback, and support.
• Lead annual retirement plan reviews, including monitoring trends, best practices, utilization, and cost-benefit analysis.
• Ensure short-term and long-term disability claims are well managed to control costs and enhance employee experience.
• Collaborate with managers, HR Partners, and vendors to ensure claims roles are understood and processes are transparent and effective.
• Communicate benefits options during leaves and partner with payroll and accounting to ensure premiums are paid.
• Partner with internal stakeholders on employee benefits communications, employee inquiries, open enrollment, new hire orientations, and special communications.
• Provide current and engaging information on benefits and wellness, including benefits changes, premiums, and education on benefits use.
• Provide communication tools and training to Managers and Business Partners to support staff benefits questions.
• Share benefits KPIs with stakeholders monthly, quarterly, and annually.
• Participate in employee lifecycle and total rewards initiatives, including bonus and compensation support.
• Manage the benefits inbox to ensure inquiries are handled quickly and reflect best-in-class service.
• Partner with internal teams and external vendors to ensure timely billing and vendor relations.
• Oversee benefits administration and reconciliation within ADP.
• Develop and communicate disability and leave policies.

Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with benefit plan applications, ACA, 401(k), audits for discriminatory practices, COBRA, and policy enforcement.
• Ensure compliance with US national health care policies, HIPAA, FMLA, ERISA, and associated reporting requirements.
• Conduct benefits reporting, analysis, and audits to ensure compliance, cost-effectiveness, and staff satisfaction.
• Manage relationships with benefits consultants and vendors to monitor benefits usage, compliance, cost containment, data transfer, and service-level agreements.

You bring the following Qualifications:

Required:

• 5+ years of experience in benefits or HR, such as Benefits Specialist, HR Generalist, or Business Partner.
• 2+ years of people leadership experience.
• Strong hands-on experience managing US employee benefits.
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or a related field.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong conflict resolution skills.
• Strong project management skills, particularly in work involving multiple stakeholders.
• Creative and resourceful.
• Collaborative, proactive, and inclusive approach to business support.
• Commitment to learning, understanding, and relating to Lush's core brand values.

We thank all interested applicants; however, only qualified candidates will be contacted.