Benefits Manager Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Benefits Managers overseeing U.S. compensation and benefits programs qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as a specialty occupation requiring a bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field. Employers across healthcare, tech, and finance regularly sponsor this role. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Focused on employment and labor law since 1958, Jackson Lewis P.C.’s 1,000+ attorneys located in major cities nationwide consistently identify and respond to new ways workplace law intersects business. We help employers develop proactive strategies, strong policies and business-oriented solutions to cultivate high-functioning workforces that are engaged and stable, and share our clients’ goals to emphasize belonging and respect for the contributions of every employee.
The Firm is ranked in the First Tier nationally in the category of Labor and Employment Litigation, as well as in both Employment Law and Labor Law on behalf of Management, in the U.S. News - Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms”.
JOB SUMMARY
The ideal candidate will be a well-rounded benefits leader looking for an opportunity to help drive continuous process improvements in delivering health and wellness programs. This position will be responsible for administration of employee benefits in all company operations and oversee the management of Benefits, Wellness Program, Retirement Plans, and Worker’s Compensation, Life Insurance, Short-term and Long-term Disability and other employee benefits. We are looking to hire a well-organized, talented, enthusiastic and service-oriented candidate to join our team.
This individual should be proactive in his/her approach, look for opportunities to improve upon existing structures and find innovative ways to create and use best practices in building total rewards structures.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Responsible for full scope of activities associated with the identification, administration, reporting and communication of the company’s benefit plans including, but not limited to: health, dental, and vision insurance, time off benefits, income protection, and related programs. Ensures programs are carried out in accordance with company policies and procedures.
- Ensure compliance with Federal and State laws, including, but not limited to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), etc.
- Coordinate quarterly benefits committee meetings, maintain records and ensure completion of action items to ensure the timely implementation of activities required to successfully plan and administer the annual open enrollment and renewal processes.
- Provide support to overall well-being strategy supporting health, retirement planning and financial wellness.
- Manage and develop the benefits and retirement teams to ensure exceptional delivery and support is available to all firm employees.
- Recommend proactive solutions to potential issues and act as an escalation to resolve complex issues and complaints.
- Partner with HR Business Partners and talent acquisition to monitor and evaluate new benefit programs that recruit and retain key talent, rate tables, and interfaces to carriers.
- Generate and create benefits related reports. Monitor, measure and modify existing benefit programs to align with best practices and industry trends.
- Maintain all benefit plan agreements and contracts. Regularly review communications, plan documents and summary plan descriptions to ensure compliance with regulatory mandates, reporting and legislation.
QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS REQUIRED
- Excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal, project management, decision-making, and time management skills.
- Excellent presentation and public speaking skills.
- Good understanding of HRIS systems and carrier integrations, experience with Workday is helpful.
- Able to meet aggressive deadlines.
- Able to analyze, process, manipulate, and summarize reports.
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Word.
- Detailed oriented with strong auditing capabilities.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s Degree in related discipline required. Master’s Degree a plus.
- Minimum of 7 years of relevant benefits administration experience.
- Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) or Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) or similar certification(s).
- Minimum of 3 years of experience managing a team and large-scale, cross-functional projects.
- Legal industry knowledge is helpful.
LOCATION
For New York City, Seattle and Chicago metro area, the expected salary range for this position is between $155,000 and $170,000. The actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law.
We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other characteristics protected by law.
INTRODUCTION
Focused on employment and labor law since 1958, Jackson Lewis P.C.’s 1,000+ attorneys located in major cities nationwide consistently identify and respond to new ways workplace law intersects business. We help employers develop proactive strategies, strong policies and business-oriented solutions to cultivate high-functioning workforces that are engaged and stable, and share our clients’ goals to emphasize belonging and respect for the contributions of every employee.
The Firm is ranked in the First Tier nationally in the category of Labor and Employment Litigation, as well as in both Employment Law and Labor Law on behalf of Management, in the U.S. News - Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms”.
JOB SUMMARY
The ideal candidate will be a well-rounded benefits leader looking for an opportunity to help drive continuous process improvements in delivering health and wellness programs. This position will be responsible for administration of employee benefits in all company operations and oversee the management of Benefits, Wellness Program, Retirement Plans, and Worker’s Compensation, Life Insurance, Short-term and Long-term Disability and other employee benefits. We are looking to hire a well-organized, talented, enthusiastic and service-oriented candidate to join our team.
This individual should be proactive in his/her approach, look for opportunities to improve upon existing structures and find innovative ways to create and use best practices in building total rewards structures.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Responsible for full scope of activities associated with the identification, administration, reporting and communication of the company’s benefit plans including, but not limited to: health, dental, and vision insurance, time off benefits, income protection, and related programs. Ensures programs are carried out in accordance with company policies and procedures.
- Ensure compliance with Federal and State laws, including, but not limited to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), etc.
- Coordinate quarterly benefits committee meetings, maintain records and ensure completion of action items to ensure the timely implementation of activities required to successfully plan and administer the annual open enrollment and renewal processes.
- Provide support to overall well-being strategy supporting health, retirement planning and financial wellness.
- Manage and develop the benefits and retirement teams to ensure exceptional delivery and support is available to all firm employees.
- Recommend proactive solutions to potential issues and act as an escalation to resolve complex issues and complaints.
- Partner with HR Business Partners and talent acquisition to monitor and evaluate new benefit programs that recruit and retain key talent, rate tables, and interfaces to carriers.
- Generate and create benefits related reports. Monitor, measure and modify existing benefit programs to align with best practices and industry trends.
- Maintain all benefit plan agreements and contracts. Regularly review communications, plan documents and summary plan descriptions to ensure compliance with regulatory mandates, reporting and legislation.
QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS REQUIRED
- Excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal, project management, decision-making, and time management skills.
- Excellent presentation and public speaking skills.
- Good understanding of HRIS systems and carrier integrations, experience with Workday is helpful.
- Able to meet aggressive deadlines.
- Able to analyze, process, manipulate, and summarize reports.
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Word.
- Detailed oriented with strong auditing capabilities.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s Degree in related discipline required. Master’s Degree a plus.
- Minimum of 7 years of relevant benefits administration experience.
- Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) or Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) or similar certification(s).
- Minimum of 3 years of experience managing a team and large-scale, cross-functional projects.
- Legal industry knowledge is helpful.
LOCATION
For New York City, Seattle and Chicago metro area, the expected salary range for this position is between $155,000 and $170,000. The actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law.
We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other characteristics protected by law.
See all 539+ Benefits Manager jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Benefits Manager
Position your degree as a direct match
USCIS requires your degree field to align with benefits management. Degrees in human resources, business administration, or organizational psychology support the specialty occupation argument. A mismatch between your degree and the role is the most common RFE trigger.
Target large employers with established HR infrastructure
Large corporations in healthcare, finance, and technology typically have dedicated immigration teams and experience sponsoring HR leadership roles. Smaller employers may be willing but lack the infrastructure, which can slow the petition process significantly.
Get your LCA certified before the visa application
Your employer must file a Labor Condition Application with the Department of Labor certifying prevailing wage compliance before any H-1B petition is submitted. Confirm your employer has completed this step before expecting a visa timeline.
Document your specialization, not just your job title
Benefits Managers overseeing complex programs like self-funded health plans, 401(k) administration, or leave compliance build a stronger specialty occupation case than generalist HR managers. Make sure your offer letter reflects specific technical responsibilities.
Understand the H-1B lottery timing before accepting an offer
H-1B registration opens each March for an October 1 start date. If you receive an offer outside that window, ask your employer about cap-exempt options, O-1 eligibility, or whether you can start on OPT while waiting for the next lottery cycle.
Ask specifically whether your employer has sponsored HR roles before
Not all employers who sponsor engineering roles will sponsor HR management positions. Ask HR or your recruiter directly whether the company has filed H-1B petitions for Benefits Manager or similar HR leadership titles in the past.
Benefits Manager jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Benefits Manager JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Benefits Manager role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, Benefits Manager positions generally qualify when the role requires a bachelor's degree or higher in human resources, business administration, or a related field. USCIS looks for positions where a specific degree is a minimum requirement, not just preferred. Roles overseeing complex benefits programs, ERISA compliance, or self-funded health plans build the strongest cases.
What degree do I need to get H-1B sponsorship as a Benefits Manager?
A bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, organizational psychology, or a closely related field is the standard baseline. Your degree field should align with the specific duties in your job description. If your degree is in an unrelated field, three years of relevant work experience can substitute for each year of missing education under USCIS equivalency rules.
Which industries are most likely to sponsor Benefits Managers?
Healthcare systems, financial services firms, technology companies, and large manufacturing employers are the most active sponsors for Benefits Manager roles. These industries tend to have complex, high-value benefits programs that justify hiring internationally. Use Migrate Mate to browse current openings filtered specifically for visa-sponsoring employers in this field.
How often do H-1B petitions for Benefits Manager roles get approved?
USCIS does not publish approval rates broken down by job title, but HR management roles with clear degree requirements and detailed specialty occupation documentation generally see strong approval rates. Requests for Evidence are more common when job descriptions are vague or when the degree field is only loosely related. A detailed offer letter and strong employer documentation reduce RFE risk significantly.
Can a Benefits Manager on OPT extend their work authorization while waiting for H-1B approval?
Yes. If you're on F-1 OPT and your employer files an H-1B petition before your OPT expires, you may be eligible for a 240-day OPT extension that bridges the gap until October 1. STEM OPT extension is not available for this role unless your degree qualifies. Confirm your specific OPT expiration date with your Designated School Official well in advance.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Benefits Manager jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
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