Benefits Manager Jobs in New York
Benefits Manager jobs in New York are among the most active in the country, concentrated in financial services, healthcare, and large corporate headquarters where complex benefits programs demand dedicated expertise at every level from benefits coordinator through senior director. The heaviest hiring is in New York City, White Plains, and Albany, where firms like JPMorgan Chase, Northwell Health, and MetLife consistently bring on benefits professionals across their sprawling workforces. The most in-demand specialties are health and welfare plan administration, 401(k) and retirement program management, and leave and absence compliance under New York State law. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Benefits Manager JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 43+ Benefits Manager jobs











HR Benefits Manager - Office of Human Resources (Excluded)
POSITION DETAILS
The CUNY School of Medicine (CUNY SoM) located in the heart of Harlem, New York, is the only medical school in the City University of New York system and the only public medical school in Manhattan. Building upon 50 years of success as the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, the institution transitioned to the CUNY School of Medicine (SoM) in 2016. The CUNY SoM offers an accelerated BS/MD degree (7-year program) and a Physician Assistant Master’s Degree (27 months program). True to its legacy of access, opportunity, and community transformation, the medical school’s mission remains to recruit highly talented students as diverse as New York City itself. CUNY SoM places a special emphasis on the recruitment of those who are underrepresented in the field of medicine and on training high quality, culturally competent health professionals and scientists equipped to address the healthcare needs of New York’s medically under-served communities. As a major priority, CUNY SoM also seeks to enhance the recruitment and retention of senior leadership, faculty, and staff to more closely reflect the diversity of our student body.
CUNY SoM is seeking a dynamic Human Resources professional dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service and fostering positive work experiences for our employees. Reporting to the Executive Director of Human Resources, the Benefits Manager will play a crucial role in providing guidance and support in the areas of benefits, leave, and retirement administration. The Benefits Manager also serves as a liaison to the health insurance carriers, University Benefits Office (UBO), retirement systems, Union welfare funds and other related benefits agencies.
In addition to the CUNY overview, the Benefits Manager will be responsible for but not limited to the following:
- Manage the day-to-day operations within the HR/Benefits area for all full-time and part-time faculty and staff including: administering health insurance, commuter benefits, pension plans, tuition waivers, and other benefits perks to ensure efficient workflow and high-quality customer service levels;
- Facilitate and conduct new employee benefit orientations, workshops, and programs for health benefit changes and updates, transfer, and annual enrollment periods; Coordinate complex programs, such as worker's compensation or leaves of absence, monitors benefits statistics, prepares required and ad hoc reports, and conducts routine periodic audits of data entry for the SoM, CUNY Central, and outside parties as needed.
- Manage the processing of all benefit enrollments and related leaves (Family Medical Leave, Paid Family Leave, Paid Parental Leave, Child-Care Leave, Temporary Disability, etc.), reasonable accommodation requests, retirement requests, and other leave provisions provided by the College and union affiliate;
- Manage the Workers Compensation and NYS Unemployment claims and advise claimants of their rights and obligations according to legal regulations and CUNY policy; follow-up with the Compensation Review Board and NYS Unemployment Administrators as needed.
- Interpret time and leave rules and regulations according to CUNY standards to ensure accurate processing of all leave and retirement requests; Maintain an in-depth understanding of CUNY rules and regulations, relevant laws, and guidelines, collective bargaining agreements, and College policies and apply this knowledge to all areas of responsibility;
- Develop and maintain tools to track and confirm new employee benefit enrollments and vesting cycles; Monitor employee and employer pension contributions to ensure accurate processing and completion of transactions; Compile, maintain, and interpret statistical data, develop manuals, guides, audio-visual aids, or other materials.
- Manage interaction between external vendors and internal resources to establish and improve relationships for quality benefits administration and supportive services for all faculty and staff; Provide advice and recommendations to management on personnel matters related to benefits, leaves, retirements, records management, benefit deadlines, rules, regulations, and other related information.
- Collaborate with the Payroll, Employment Services, and HRIS teams to ensure that employee information is accurate and entered in a timely manner for benefits processing; Manage the organization and delivery of employee benefits programs for faculty and staff and coordinates benefits fairs, informational session, and other ad hoc benefits related events on behalf of the SoM or HR and suggest workflow or process improvements.
- Compose correspondence, reports, and proposals. Create and run reports for employees to ensure timely updates are provided for hours worked and employment history requests; Create materials to effectively communicate compensation and benefits plans, policies and practices to the HR team, faculty and staff; Develop content for monthly and annual updates of the HR Website/Intranet and assist with special projects.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director or designee.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree and six years' related experience required.
PREFERRED:
- Eight (8) years of benefits administration experience within CUNY preferred.
- Knowledge of PeopleSoft (CUNYFirst), Microsoft Office suite and current federal, state and local employment laws and regulation.
- Past success in a fast-paced, continually evolving environment using proven time management skills, prioritization skills and working with a strong sense of urgency.
- Knowledge of FMLA, NYSPFL, TIAA, NYCERS, TRS, and LRS.
- Detail-oriented with strong analytical and research skills.
- Effective writing, editing, proofreading, oral and interpersonal communication skills.
- Strong work ethic and ability to maintain confidentiality and safeguard employee information, and handle all documents with sensitivity.
- Bilingual skills are a plus.
CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW
Manages a portfolio of Human Resources programs and operations at the College level.
- Assumes responsibility for delivery of one or more human resources programs, which may include recruitment, performance management, labor relations, pay administration, recordkeeping, and/or human resources technology.
- Manages staff responsible for carrying out operations in the Human Resources office.
- Directly supports College department chairs and managers in staff planning, recruiting, hiring, and resolving sensitive personnel issues regarding their employees.
- Provides guidance on the impact of laws and regulations, CUNY policies, and collective bargaining agreements.
- Provides outreach to employees and provides communications such as meetings, newsletters, and web sites.
- Compiles accurate and well-organized reports.
- Assists management with developing policies, procedures, and programs to support Human Resources' objectives.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
Job Title Name: HR Manager
CUNY TITLE
Higher Education Associate
FLSA
Exempt
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Salary range: $74,249 - $90,838
Salary commensurate with education and experience.
CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.
(CURRENT CONTRACTUAL SALARY RANGE)
CUNY is in the process of implementing salary schedule increases. Once implemented, salaries of eligible employees will be adjusted by 3.5% effective 9/1/26, in accordance with the terms of the PSC-CUNY collective bargaining agreement.
HOW TO APPLY
Visit www.cuny.edu, access the employment page, log in or create a new user account, and search for this vacancy using the Job ID: 32391 or Title. HR Benefits Manager Select "Apply Now" and provide the requested information.
Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter.
Note: Excluded ****
**** This managerial position is excluded from representation from the Professional Staff Congress (PSC) union.
CLOSING DATE
Open until July 3, 2026.
JOB SEARCH CATEGORY
CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.
Job ID: 32391
Location: CUNY School of Medicine
Job Type: Full-Time
See All 43 Benefits Manager Jobs in New York
Find roles in New York that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Benefits Manager JobsBenefits Manager Jobs by City in New York
Where New York roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Benefits Manager Job Market in New York
A snapshot from current New York openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Alvarez & Marsal2

- Brex2

- Foot Locker2

- Rippling2

- The New York Times2

Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software9
- Consulting & Professional Services5
- Accounting & Auditing4
- Banking & Financial Services3
- Insurance3
What New York Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in benefits manager jobs across New York.
- Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field required
- Professional certification such as CEBS, PHR, or SPHR strongly preferred by New York employers
- Five or more years of benefits administration experience including vendor and carrier management
- Deep working knowledge of ERISA, ACA, FMLA, and New York Paid Family Leave regulations
- Proficiency with HRIS platforms such as Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, or Oracle HCM
- Experience managing self-funded or fully insured health plans for large employee populations
Benefits Manager Jobs in New York: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a benefits manager in New York?
Most benefits managers in New York start with a bachelor's degree in human resources, business, or a related field and work several years in benefits administration or generalist HR before moving into a manager role. While New York does not require a state-issued license to work as a benefits manager, employers strongly favor candidates who hold the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist designation or SHRM credentials, which signal fluency in the federal and New York-specific compliance requirements the role demands.
How much do benefits managers make in New York?
Benefits managers in New York earn a median of about $175,620 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $114,990 for the lowest 10% to over $287,490 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire benefits managers in New York?
Employers hiring benefits managers in New York right now include Alvarez & Marsal, Brex, and Foot Locker, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. New York's concentration of large financial institutions, hospital systems, and Fortune 500 headquarters means openings tend to be for mid-to-senior professionals managing complex, multi-state benefit programs.
Which New York cities have the most benefits manager jobs?
The cities with the most benefits manager openings in New York are New York, Rochester, and Amsterdam. New York City dominates because of its density of corporate headquarters, major hospital systems, and financial services firms, while White Plains and Albany draw openings from regional employers, state government agencies, and healthcare networks whose HR functions are anchored outside the five boroughs.
Are there remote benefits manager jobs in New York?
Yes, and more than most HR specialties, since benefits administration is largely analytical, system-based, and vendor-facing work that translates well to a remote setup. About 30% of benefits manager openings tied to New York are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting how broadly employers have accepted flexible arrangements for this role. Open enrollment coordination and employee-facing communications are the tasks most likely to require periodic in-office presence.
How can I get hired as a benefits manager in New York with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a benefits coordinator or HR generalist role at a large New York employer, where you gain direct exposure to carrier negotiations, open enrollment, and leave administration. Hospital systems such as Northwell Health and NYC Health and Hospitals regularly hire benefits coordinators and HR associates who can move into manager-track roles over time. Earning a CEBS designation or completing SHRM coursework while in an entry-level position gives candidates a measurable edge when competing for manager openings in New York's crowded market.
Where can I find and apply to benefits manager jobs in New York?
You can find and apply to benefits manager jobs in New York on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 43 Benefits Manager Jobs in New York
Find roles in New York that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Benefits Manager Jobs