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Title: 232 - Benefits and Compensation Manager

Organization: OD&HR: Safety and Risk Management

Department: Safety/Risk Management

Location: OD&HR

Rate of Pay: $71,625.60 – $106,945.62 DOQ

Job Summary

The Benefits and Compensation Manager is responsible for managing the daily administration, implementation, and continuous improvement of the City's benefits and compensation programs. This position oversees the operational delivery of employee benefits, compensation initiatives, workers compensation, and safety and risk initiatives and ensures compliance with applicable federal and state laws and develops recommendations that support the City's total rewards strategy.
Working under the direction of the Benefits and Compensation Senior Manager, this position collaborates in the management of the benefit plan administration, compensation analysis, market research, vendor relationships, employee communications, and supervision of successful open enrollment activities and supervision of safety and risk strategies and activities.

Competencies

• Leadership
• Accountability
• Execution
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Innovation
• Integrity
• Sense of Urgency

Key Functions/Knowledge/Skills

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of employee benefits, compensation, safety and risk management, wellness initiatives, general contracting regulations, and benefits and compensation best practices.
• Provide direct leadership, coaching, accountability, and performance management for the Benefits & Compensation Business Partner, Safety & Risk Coordinator, and Wellness Coordinator.
• Lead the daily operations of Benefits, Compensation, Safety & Risk, and Wellness while ensuring exceptional customer service, compliance, operational excellence, and timely execution.
• In collaboration with Sr Benefits and Compensation Manager foster a culture of urgency, accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer-focused service within the team.
• Build strong relationships with City leadership, department directors, supervisors, employees, vendors, and external partners through proactive communication and responsiveness.
• Support the Benefits and Compensation Sr Manager and serve as the primary escalation point for complex employee and leadership questions related to benefits, compensation, safety, wellness, and total rewards.
• Identify process improvement opportunities, eliminate inefficiencies, simplify workflows, and implement innovative solutions that improve employee experience and operational effectiveness.
• Develop, monitor, and report key performance indicators (KPIs), service levels, and department metrics to measure team performance and ensure organizational goals are achieved.
• Ensure all employee requests, benefit enrollments, compensation actions, safety matters, and wellness initiatives are completed accurately, timely, and with a strong sense of urgency.
• Lead strategic projects related to Total Rewards, including compensation studies, benefit enhancements, wellness initiatives, compliance projects, vendor transitions, and technology improvements.
• Research, evaluate, and recommend competitive benefits and compensation programs that support employee recruitment, retention, engagement, and organizational sustainability.
• Monitor market trends, salary surveys, legislative changes, and industry best practices to recommend program enhancements.
• Manage relationships with insurance carriers, consultants, retirement programs providers, wellness partners, and other vendors while ensuring contractual compliance and high-quality service delivery.
• Coordinate and oversee annual Open Enrollment, employee benefits education, and year-round communication strategies to ensure employees clearly understand available programs.
• Develop and deliver presentations, training sessions, and educational materials for employees, supervisors, directors, and executive leadership.
• Support the administration of retirement programs, including the City's 457(b) plan, and coordinate employee education regarding retirement planning.
• Monitor compensation structures, pay practices, internal equity, and market competitiveness, making recommendations to leadership as appropriate.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret compensation and benefits data using internal and external benchmarks to support strategic decision-making.
• Oversee wellness initiatives that promote employee health, engagement, and organizational well-being while measuring participation and program effectiveness.
• Oversee the City's Safety & Risk programs to ensure regulatory compliance, injury prevention, workers' compensation coordination, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, City policies, and regulatory requirements related to benefits, compensation, retirement, leave administration, wellness, and risk management.
• Maintain accurate records, documentation, reports, and audit readiness while protecting confidential employee information.
• Support the Benefits & Compensation Senior Manager in developing strategic initiatives, policies, and long-range Total Rewards programs aligned with the City's organizational objectives.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field. Master's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field is preferred. Five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in employee benefits, compensation, or total rewards. Three (3) years of supervisory or management experience preferred. Experience in public sector or municipal government is preferred.

Special Certifications & Licenses

• CEBS (Certified Employee Benefit Specialist) preferred
• CCP (Certified Compensation Professional) preferred
• CBP (Certified Benefits Professional) preferred
• Texas Workers' Compensation or Risk Management certification is desirable if applicable to your operations.
• Valid Texas Driver’s License.

Independence & Judgement

Noticeable judgment; must plan for long-term; must recognize and resolve problems and situations through appropriate means applying specific types of procedures to issues without indicated guidance or destination, addresses issues that need attention, etc.; involves freedom in selection of work methods among approved routines, setting of priorities, or sequencing of tasks within established schedules.

Initiative & Ingenuity

Greater level of knowledge when applying guidelines and interpretation of available options to non-standard situations; division goals drive priorities.

Supervisory & Responsibility

Regularly assigns and monitors the work for up to two employees; provides direction and guidance and maintains the flow of work for those employees.

Financial Responsibility

Calculates amounts due, using some judgment; receives and processes larger amounts (several thousand dollars on one day not uncommon); balances receipts and cash from one or more other employees; monitors budget; brings problems to attention of supervisor; has substantive input into overall organizational budget.

Level & Frequency of Outside Contact

Frequent contact with the public or other organizations; interactions may require obtaining cooperation of people; courtesy and tact are required when dealing with moderately difficult or sensitive issues.

Physical Demands

Office job with little or occasional light physical effort.

Responsibility for Equipment & Property

Responsible for assigned equipment/property used outside of office; responsible for handing out to and retrieving property/equipment from employees and keeping inventory; use of city vehicle.

Working Conditions

Office job, no adverse conditions.

Other Requirements

The City of Brownsville requires all employees to successfully pass a Drug & Alcohol examination and a Background Check.

ADA Requirements

The City of Brownsville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

Benefits

The City of Brownsville offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support its employees' well-being and future. Employees participate in a robust retirement plan through the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) City to Employee Matching Ratio 2:1, with eligibility for retirement after 5 years of service at age 60 or 20 years of service at any age.
The City provides exceptional health benefits, including medical, dental, and life insurance plans for employees and their families, along with vision coverage for employees enrolled in health insurance through MetLife. Employees and their dependents can also access care at Frontier Clinic at no cost when covered by the City's health plan. Additionally, pet insurance is available as a voluntary benefit.
Employees have access to deferred compensation plans through Equitable and supplemental insurance options from AFLAC and Colonial Life. Full-time employees accrue 10 sick days and 15 vacation days annually.
The City offers parental leave concurrent with FMLA for eligible employees, longevity pay, and 100% tuition assistance up to $5,000 annually. Furthermore, Brownsville observes 14 holidays per year, plus two floating holidays, giving employees a balanced and rewarding work-life experience.
Starting in fiscal year 2025, employees will have access to flexible scheduling options as part of our commitment to work-life balance.

EEOC Statements

The City of Brownsville does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.