• Job Description

  Req#: 2006652

  At Equity Residential, we're dedicated to creating thriving communities, and we invite you to be part of our team. Embracing values like Diversity, Sustainability, and Total Wellbeing, we foster a workplace culture of authenticity and collaboration.

  How We Deliver a Winning Performance:

  • Question Authority
  • Walk the Talk
  • Share Knowledge
  • Listen, not just Hear
  • See the Glass Half Full
  • Take Educated Risks
  • Enjoy the Ride
  • Share the Spotlight
  • Do the Right Thing
  • Test Your Limits

  We Care About Your Total Wellbeing:

  • Physical Wellbeing: Medical, dental, and vision care
  • Social Wellbeing: 9 paid holidays, annual vacation time, paid sick leave, new parent benefits
  • Financial Wellbeing: 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan, Rent Discounts, Competitive Compensation
  • Community Wellbeing: Paid Community Service Hours
  • Career Wellbeing: Leadership Development
  • Learn more about our Total Wellbeing program here.

  What You’ll Be Doing:

  The Benefits Manager is responsible for the strategic management and operational execution of the company’s employee benefits programs. This role ensures competitive, compliant, and cost-effective plan offerings while delivering a positive employee experience. The Benefits Manager leads key vendor relationships, drives program improvement efforts, and supports compliance, communications, and cross-functional collaboration across HR, Legal, Payroll, and Finance.

  Program Design & Management

  • Manage end-to-end administration of all health and welfare plans, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, flexible spending, HSA, and voluntary benefits, as well as the 401(k) retirement plan.
    
  • Lead the Annual Benefits Enrollment process, including plan modeling, vendor negotiations, and budgeting support.
    
  • Monitor benefit trends, benchmark data, and employee feedback to recommend plan design changes.

  Compliance & Reporting

  • Ensure ongoing compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, Section 125).
    
  • Lead the preparation and submission of required filings and disclosures (e.g., 5500s, SARs, ACA reporting, NDT).
    
  • Maintain and update plan documents, SPDs, and employee notices.

  Vendor & Data Management

  • Manage relationships with third-party administrators, brokers, and carriers to ensure service quality and issue resolution.
    
  • Partner with HRIT and Payroll teams to maintain accurate benefits data and support system changes or integrations.
    
  • Oversee benefits billing processes and resolve discrepancies.

  Employee Experience & Communications

  • Serve as Tier 2 escalation point for complex employee benefit inquiries.
    
  • Develop and deliver employee-facing benefits communications, including Annual Enrollment, new hire onboarding, and life event education.
    
  • Partner with Leave of Absence vendor, the HR Centralized Business Operations team, and HRBPs to ensure a seamless experience for employees during personal leave events.

  Leadership & Collaboration

  • Supervise benefits analyst or specialist(s); provide coaching, development, and work prioritization.
    
  • Act as a key contributor to Total Rewards initiatives and HR cross-functional projects.
    
  • Support internal and external audits, SOX controls, and leadership reporting requests as needed.

  What You’ll Need to Thrive:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
    
  • 6+ years of experience in benefits administration, including at least 2 years in a lead or manager-level role.
    
  • In-depth knowledge of U.S. benefits regulations and market trends.
    
  • Benefits outsourcing experience and/or experience working with outsourced service providers a plus.
    
  • Strong analytical, project management, and problem-solving skills. Ability to handle numerous projects and tasks simultaneously, also required.
    
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex benefit topics clearly.

  Machines, Tools and Equipment, Software: Computer w/Internet and e-mail capabilities, telephone, facsimile, and photocopier.; Must have strong skills in Microsoft Excel, plus proficiency in other Microsoft Office programs (Word, PowerPoint, etc.), Google Workspace applications (Gmail, Calendar, Drive), and experience with HRIS and/or recordkeeping systems (Oracle HCM, benefits administration platforms, etc.)

  Licenses/Certification: CEBS, CBP, PHR, SPHR, CHES, CCWS or other HR certifications/designations preferred.

  Other Requirements: Occasional travel for conferences and professional development opportunities may be required.

  PHYSICAL AND VISUAL ACTIVITIES:

  Ability to hear and speak well enough to converse verbally over the phone and in-person (expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken or written word). Ability to interpret, evaluate and communicate detailed written or verbal instructions to others accurately and easily. Ability to use a computer and office equipment efficiently. Ability to lift, push, pull or carry up to 15 pounds for the dissemination of documents, supplies, materials, etc. to various locations throughout the office/facility. May be required to climb stairs depending on the property structure.

  
  The above describes the physical and visual activities that are commonly associated with the performance of the essential functions of this job. “Commonly associated” is not intended to mean always or only. Reasonable accommodation will be provided as required by law to enable otherwise qualified employees with a known disability to perform the essential functions of the job.

  WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Office environment

  Salary: $96,142 - $130,000 / year; in addition to base salary, a discretionary annual bonus is provided.

  The successful candidate's starting pay will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, and qualifications.

• About the company

  Equity Residential is one of the nation’s largest publicly traded owners and operators of high-quality rental apartment properties.

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