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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Health and Wellness Manager

💰 $85,000 - $130,000

Human ResourcesHealthcareCorporate WellnessEmployee Engagement

🎯 Role Definition

As our Health and Wellness Manager, you will be the strategic architect and passionate champion of our company's well-being culture. You are tasked with designing, implementing, and overseeing a holistic wellness program that addresses the physical, mental, financial, and social health of our employees. This role requires a blend of strategic vision, hands-on program management, data analysis, and exceptional communication to build initiatives that not only enhance employee well-being but also align with our business objectives, driving engagement, productivity, and a positive employer brand. You will be the go-to expert, collaborating across departments to embed wellness into the very fabric of our employee experience.


📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Corporate Wellness Coordinator
  • Senior Health Educator
  • HR Generalist with a wellness focus
  • Benefits Analyst

Advancement To:

  • Director of Global Wellness
  • VP of Total Rewards and Well-being
  • Chief Wellness / People Officer

Lateral Moves:

  • Employee Engagement Manager
  • Benefits Manager
  • HR Business Partner
  • DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop, implement, and manage a comprehensive, multi-year corporate wellness strategy that aligns with organizational goals and supports employee well-being across physical, mental, financial, and social dimensions.
  • Conduct ongoing needs assessments and data analysis (e.g., health claims data, biometric screenings, employee surveys, focus groups) to identify health risks, employee interests, and program effectiveness, using insights to drive program design and continuous improvement.
  • Oversee the planning, promotion, and execution of a diverse and engaging calendar of wellness initiatives, including fitness challenges, nutrition seminars, mental health workshops, stress management sessions, and financial literacy programs.
  • Manage relationships, contracts, and performance of external wellness vendors, third-party administrators, carriers, and consultants, ensuring high-quality service delivery, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with our wellness philosophy.
  • Develop and meticulously manage the annual wellness program budget, tracking expenditures, and demonstrating a positive return on investment (ROI) and value on investment (VOI) through detailed reporting and analytics.
  • Create and execute a dynamic, multi-channel communication plan to drive awareness, engagement, and participation in wellness programs, leveraging the intranet, email, newsletters, social platforms, and in-person events.
  • Serve as the primary subject matter expert and internal consultant for health and wellness, providing guidance, resources, and support to senior leadership, HR business partners, and managers.
  • Ensure all wellness programs, activities, and communications strictly comply with relevant legal and regulatory requirements, including HIPAA, GINA, and ADA.
  • Lead, mentor, and empower a network of location-based wellness champions or committees, fostering a collaborative environment to effectively cascade programs and cultivate a grassroots culture of health.
  • Forge strong partnerships to integrate wellness initiatives with other HR functions such as benefits design, employee assistance programs (EAP), safety protocols, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts to create a holistic and seamless employee experience.
  • Actively monitor industry trends, research best practices, and explore emerging technologies in corporate wellness to continuously innovate and enhance the company's well-being offerings.
  • Establish, track, and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure program success, including participation rates, employee satisfaction, and impact on health outcomes, morale, and productivity.
  • Design and deliver targeted interventions and programs for specific employee populations based on demographic data, health risk assessments, and feedback to address unique needs.
  • Collaborate closely with the benefits team to analyze health plan utilization data and identify opportunities for wellness programs to mitigate specific health risks and contribute to healthcare cost containment strategies.
  • Coordinate all logistical aspects of large-scale wellness events such as annual health fairs, company-wide biometric screening events, and vaccination clinics, from vendor negotiation to on-site execution.
  • Develop and present compelling, data-backed reports and presentations to senior leadership and key stakeholders on program performance, health trends, and strategic recommendations for future investment.
  • Partner with internal communications and marketing teams to create engaging, on-brand wellness materials, campaigns, and content that resonate with our diverse employee population.
  • Manage the evaluation and selection process for new wellness platforms and tools, leading implementation and ensuring successful adoption across the organization.
  • Provide expert consultation to business leaders on creating healthier work environments, including policies and practices that support work-life integration and psychological safety.
  • Facilitate workshops and training sessions for managers and employees on topics such as mental health awareness, stress resilience, and fostering supportive teams.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis from HR and business leaders.
  • Contribute to the organization's broader people and culture strategy and roadmap.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate well-being needs into actionable program requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the broader HR projects team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Wellness Program Design & Management: Expertise in creating and executing multi-faceted wellness strategies from the ground up.
  • Data Analysis & Reporting: Ability to analyze health data (claims, biometrics) and program metrics to derive insights and measure ROI/VOI.
  • Budget & Financial Management: Experience developing and managing a departmental budget, including tracking expenses and forecasting needs.
  • Vendor Management & Negotiation: Skill in sourcing, contracting, and managing performance of third-party wellness vendors.
  • Project Management: Strong organizational skills to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously from conception to completion.
  • Health & Wellness Subject Matter Expertise: Deep knowledge of physical, mental, financial, and social well-being concepts.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Working knowledge of HIPAA, GINA, ADA, and other regulations relevant to employee wellness programs.
  • Public Speaking & Presentation: Ability to confidently present program information and data-driven insights to diverse audiences, from employees to C-suite executives.
  • Communication & Marketing: Skill in developing and executing communication campaigns across various channels to drive engagement.
  • Survey Design & Analysis: Proficiency in creating and interpreting employee surveys to gauge interest, needs, and satisfaction.

Soft Skills

  • Strategic Thinking: Ability to see the big picture and align wellness initiatives with broader business goals.
  • Empathy & Interpersonal Skills: Genuinely connects with employees, listens to their needs, and builds trust.
  • Influence & Persuasion: Capable of gaining buy-in and championing wellness at all levels of the organization without direct authority.
  • Collaboration & Teamwork: Works effectively with cross-functional teams (HR, Benefits, Comms, Legal) to achieve common goals.
  • Innovation & Creativity: Constantly seeks new and engaging ways to promote health and well-being.
  • Adaptability: Thrives in a dynamic environment and can pivot strategies based on data and feedback.
  • Leadership & Mentorship: Ability to inspire and guide wellness champions and committee members.
  • Problem-Solving: Proactively identifies challenges and develops effective, practical solutions.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree in a related field.

Preferred Education:

  • Master's Degree in a related field.
  • Certifications such as CHES (Certified Health Education Specialist), CWWPC (Certified Wellness Program Coordinator), or WELCOA faculty status are highly desirable.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Public Health / Health Promotion
  • Corporate Wellness / Kinesiology
  • Human Resources
  • Nutrition Science
  • Psychology or Organizational Psychology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 5-7 years of progressive experience in designing, implementing, and managing comprehensive corporate wellness programs.

Preferred:

  • Experience in a multi-site or global corporate environment.
  • Proven track record of using data to inform program strategy and demonstrate impact.
  • Direct experience managing a team or a network of wellness champions.
  • Experience managing relationships with external health and wellness vendors.