Manager, Benefits

Your Mission at Virgin Galactic

Virgin Galactic (VG) is seeking a Manager, Benefits to implement and execute on the strategy of our employee benefit programs, including healthcare programs, leave programs, retirement plans, and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP). Support the company strategy by holding ourselves and one another accountable for getting the work done. 

This is a hybrid – 4 day a week in our Tustin, California office position.

Responsibilities

Program Design

• Ensuring our programs are competitive and cost-effective.
• Identifying opportunities for refining the benefits lineup and aligning our offerings to the needs of our workforce.

Vendor Management

• Manage relationships with brokers, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators to ensure high-quality service and competitive pricing.
• Working closely with our benefits broker on the negotiation and renewal of benefits plans, market benchmarking, and plan design alternatives. 
• Engaging with carriers on eligibility files, escalated claims, and data accuracy.
• Coordinating Short-Term/Long-Term Disability/FMLA/PDL/CFRA and state required leaves of absence with our 3rd party administrator. 
• Ensuring service level agreements are met and maintained.

Operational Management

• Ensure company compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, including ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
• Evaluate benefits usage, analyze costs, and benchmark against industry standards to make recommendations to senior leadership.
• Performing data reconciliation and audits to ensure accurate carrier file feeds and deductions.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of internally controlled processes. 
• Perform audits and reconciliations on billing, invoicing, and eligibility files.
• Ensure legal compliance and deadlines are met, such as ACA reporting (1094/1095 forms), 5500 filings, reporting/filing of the PCORI fee, non-discrimination testing, retirement plan audit, etc.

Employee Support & Internal Stakeholder Management

• Lead annual open enrollment, including system configuration, employee presentations, and creating educational materials
• Develop and execute comprehensive wellness programs and communication strategies, including education programs to promote health and well-being within the organization and increase participant awareness and knowledge.
• Being responsive and timely to escalated cases and appeals that are sent from the benefits administration provider and/or employee inquiries and problem resolution requests.
• Delivering New Hire Benefits Orientation and supporting new employees with enrolling in the benefits.
• Resolve complex employee issues regarding benefits claims, coverage, and policy interpretation.
• Coordinating with Business Partners and Employee Relations on leave cases, accommodation requests, etc.
• Partner with payroll on LOA with tracking of payments to ensure compliance and accuracy.
• Coach, train, and transfer expertise to your team to drive projects to completion 

Required Skills and Experience

• Preferably have a BS/BA with 8+ years of proven Benefits Administration experience, including leading a team. 

• Deep understanding of benefits-related laws (ACA, ERISA, etc.) and vendor management.

• Experience with ADP Comprehensive Benefits Administration platform is a plus.

• Proficient in HRIS systems (e.g., SuccessFactors, ADP) and Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel and Outlook).
• Deep knowledge of Retirement plans and ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan).
• Strong analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with all levels in the organization.

• Excellent organizational skills and ability to multitask.
• Experience with managing multiple plans that include retirement, health, medical, dental, vision, life, etc. 
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy. 
• Ability to independently analyze, make recommendations, and solve problems.

• Demonstrate willingness to adjust thinking and behavior. 
• Ability to communicate in a manner that is timely, respectful, and open to other ideas 

#LI-LN1

The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $88,500.00–$134,850.00. The base pay actually offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, location, and experience and take into account internal equity. Other forms of pay (e.g., bonus or long term incentive) may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits, dependent on the position offered. For more information regarding Virgin Galactic benefits, please visit https://vgcareers.virgingalactic.com/global/en/benefits

Who We Are

Virgin Galactic is an aerospace and space travel company, pioneering human spaceflight for private individuals and researchers with its advanced air and space vehicles. We are making the dream of space travel a reality, delivering spaceflight at an unprecedented frequency, with the development of next generation space vehicles. 

Export Requirements 
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. Person (either a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident or a protected individual as defined 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) or be able to obtain the required authorization from either the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce. The applicant must also not be included in the list of Specifically Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. See list here.

EEO Statement
Virgin Galactic is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Virgin Galactic is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status. 

Drug Free Workplace
Virgin Galactic is committed to a Drug Free Workplace. All applicants post offer and active teammates are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies. This can include pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, and accident related drug and alcohol testing. 

Phoenix Employment Requirements
For individuals seeking employment at our Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport facility, employment is contingent upon you obtaining and maintaining a TSA authorized security badge. This includes initial and annual mandatory background checks that are governed by TSA, and conducted by the Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport badging office.