Benefits Manager (Hybrid - Kennesaw, GA)

Company Overview:

Headquartered in suburban Atlanta, Georgia, Artivion, Inc. is a medical device company focused on developing simple, elegant solutions that address cardiac and vascular surgeons' most difficult challenges in treating patients with aortic diseases. Artivion has over 1,400 employees worldwide with sales representation in over 100 countries. The Company has manufacturing facilities located in Atlanta, Georgia, Austin, Texas and Hechingen, Germany. Additionally, it has sales and distribution offices in various countries throughout Europe, Asia, and South America. For additional information about Artivion, visit our website, www.artivion.com.

Position Overview:

The Benefits Manager is responsible for leading the design, administration, and continuous improvement of the company's benefits programs, while also supporting select total rewards initiatives. This role ensures the effective delivery of benefits through strong operational execution, cross-functional partnership, and a high-quality employee experience, with opportunities to contribute to broader compensation and rewards strategy over time.

A core responsibility of this role is to deliver an education-forward benefits experience, ensuring employees are well versed in their options and equipped to make informed decisions-particularly within a benefits portfolio that includes both traditional and non-traditional offerings. By translating complex benefits and rewards concepts into clear, practical guidance, this role helps employees understand, value, and fully utilize the programs available to them while supporting the organization's overall total rewards approach.

Responsibilities:

Benefits Strategy & Administration

• Own day-to-day management of all employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, HSA/FSA, retirement plans, and voluntary benefits.
• Lead annual open enrollment planning and execution, including vendor coordination, employee communications, and system configuration.
• Benefits Administration & Leave Management: Oversee daily benefits operations, including enrollments, terminations, COBRA, claims, retiree programs, and leave management such as FMLA, disability, and other statutory leaves. Ensure accurate data management, reporting, and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for benefits vendors, brokers, and third-party administrators.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA).
• Manage benefits data, audits, reporting, and reconciliations to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Partner with Payroll, Finance, and HRIS to ensure smooth benefits administration and employee experience.
• Respond to employee inquiries with a high level of service, clarity, and empathy.

Employee Education & Experience

• Develop clear, accessible benefits communications and tools to help employees understand and maximize their benefits.
• Support employees with complex benefits situations and escalations.
• Continuously evaluate benefits offerings to ensure they remain competitive, cost-effective, and aligned with company values.

Total Rewards Support

• Support total rewards initiatives such as compensation cycles, benchmarking, and market pricing under the guidance of senior HR or Total Rewards leadership.
• Assist with the preparation of compensation and benefits analyses, reports, and presentations for leadership.
• Partner on projects related to job architecture, pay transparency, rewards communications, and program enhancements.
• Contribute to the evolution of the company's total rewards philosophy and programs as the organization grows.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in benefits administration.
• Hands-on experience managing health and welfare benefits and retirement plans.
• Working knowledge of benefits compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Exposure to compensation or total rewards work (e.g., salary surveys, merit cycles, job evaluations) is strongly preferred.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make recommendations.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex topics clearly to diverse audiences.
• High level of discretion, organization, and attention to detail.