Senior Manager, Benefits & Compensation

Foley & Lardner LLP is a great place to work because of what we do and how we do it. Here, your unique perspectives, experiences, and abilities will be embraced and developed, so you can excel. Being a part of Foley means having the opportunities and resources necessary to gain experience, advance professional goals, and forge meaningful connections. It’s a place where you can build your career and enjoy professionally satisfying work. We have over 2,300 people who are #HappyatFoley, and we think you will be too.

The Senior Manager, Benefits & Compensation is responsible for evaluating, designing, implementing, and managing the firm's benefits programs, including health and wellness plans, retirement plans, leaves of absence, wellness, compensation, and other benefits.  This person will ensure the firm’s benefits attract and retain high performing individuals while ensuring compliance with legal requirements and remaining cost-effective.  Another key area of responsibility is managing vendor relationships and communicate benefits information and reporting on such to a variety of individuals including business professionals, attorneys, executive leadership and Partners.  The Senior Manager is responsible for the design, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of the firm’s business professional compensation programs, including base pay, incentive pay, and other performance recognition programs, and manages a team of benefits and compensation professionals.

• Manages the design and administration of the firm’s benefit plans including selection, design, administration, cost effectiveness and competitiveness. This includes health, dental, vision and life insurance plans; retirement plans; health savings and flexible spending accounts; disability and other employee benefits.
• Understands firm population unique needs and motives to design, adjust, and implement benefit offerings that include appealing rewards that attract and retain high-quality talent and help create a productive workplace.
• Maintains expert level knowledge of related laws to ensure all benefits programs comply with relevant laws and regulations such as ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, FMLA, etc.
• Manages and negotiates contracts with vendors. Develops strong relationships with benefits providers to ensure high-quality service and competitive pricing.  When seeking new vendors, manages the RFP process, evaluates options and makes the final selection.
• Develops and manages benefit budgets and analyzes benefit usage data and trends to identify cost-saving opportunities and efficiencies. Forecasts future benefit costs and develop strategies to control expenses and make recommended plan changes.
• Serves as the benefits subject matter expert and resource to firm members, especially firm leadership and those requiring a high degree of interaction and support. Educates attorneys and business professionals on benefit options through presentations, training sessions and various communications.
• Oversees the annual benefit enrollment process, including selection, communication, and system updates.
• Provides oversight to the firm’s administration of leaves polices including FMLA, medical leave, parental leave and disability, balancing compliance with regulations, business operations and positive employee experience.  
• Leads the business professional compensation function and works with firm leaders to ensure compensation strategy, structure, and programs support the firm’s business objectives, meet all legal requirements, and deliver equitable pay.
• Establishes data collection and analysis processes for market, pay equity, and other compensation studies to ensure that the firm’s total rewards program positions it to compete for and retain talent in the markets where do business.
• Oversees the annual business professional compensation review process including structural changes, communication, education, system updates and overall compliance with the firm’s business professional compensation philosophy. Ensures the team works closely with the HR and HRIS teams to ensure a collaborative and successful process in conjunction with the annual performance review process.
• Stays informed of industry and market trends and best practices in benefits and compensation, making changes as needed to stay competitive. Proactively identifies opportunities for innovation and improvement, and champions change within the organization.
• Leads, manages and mentors a team of benefits and compensation professionals. Fosters a positive and collaborative work environment, promotes professional development, and ensures effective delegation of tasks.
• Leads and manages various projects and initiatives related to benefits and compensation.  Utilizes project management methodologies to ensure timely and successful completion.

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of employee benefits experience required.
• Must have experience managing a compensation function.
• Minimum of five (5) years of people leadership experience required.
• Strong understanding of and familiarity with HR systems desired.
• Prior experience in legal or professional services preferred. #LI-HYBRID

Pursuant to the Illinois Equity Pay Act the salary range for this Chicago based position is between $160,700 - $241,100.  These figures represent the full compensation range of this position. The actual offered amount will be determined based on the following factors: education, experience, geographic market, and internal pay equity at Foley.