Benefits Specialist

Position Summary:
Under direct supervision of the Benefits Manager, performs a variety of routine and complex administrative, technical and professional work in analyzing and administering benefit programs while maintaining a high level of confidentiality. Serves as a resource, subject matter expert and day-to-day administrator of team member and vendor issues associated with Enterprise health & welfare programs, as well as the 401k Retirement Program and all Leave of Absence programs. Provides advice and guidance to team members on team member benefits and assists in the design and review of benefit programs and procedures, and leave plans. 

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
*     Responsible as assigned, for the implementation, communication and administration of the benefit and leave programs. 
*     Manages leave programs including Family Medical Leave (FML) and non-FML leaves of absence, including contact with Team Members, reporting and tracking.  
*     Provides individual benefits counseling to team members, as appropriate. 
*     Coordinates disability processes and payments and advocates for Team Members with vendors as appropriate.
*     Performs daily administration of benefits plans including processing changes and updates in Human Resources Information System (HRIS), ensuring accuracy and making corrections and adjustments as necessary.  
*     Works with appropriate personnel to build and maintain benefits reports. 
*     Coordinates the benefit enrollment process for all team members, including new team member orientation and ensures proper enrollment in HRIS and carriers’ enrollment systems.  
*     Audits new hire elections before they are transmitted to vendor(s). 
*     Audits eligibility files to carriers and resolves any outstanding issues before transmitting. 
*     Ensures timely processing of Qualified Family Status Changes and Qualified Medical Support Court Orders (QMSCO).
*     Coordinates Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) process with the Third Party Administrator (TPA).  
*     Assists with administration of the 401K plan including team member communications, enrollments, audits, compliance, and documentation. 
*     Coordinates the annual benefits renewal process in partnership with Manager, including reviewing premium renewal rates, implementing contribution strategy and obtaining all the appropriate information to support the annual open enrollment process.  
*     Participates in the planning, coordination and implementation of periodic benefits open enrollment programs for team members, including the development of content materials. 
*     Participates in the creation of the benefits strategy by collaborating with vendors and brokers.
*     Proactively identifies opportunities for additional benefit programs or improvements to existing programs by researching viability and making recommendations. 
*     Facilitates the implementation of programs and/or benefit changes with all key departments.
*     Supports and leads (where appropriate) implementation teams, creates and manages project plans, establishes timelines with key milestones, sets goals and drives project to completion.
*     Partners with vendors to respond to issues as they arise.
*     Presents information in both oral and written form and effectively listens to others.    
*     Interacts and collaborates effectively with a wide variety of people and vendors.
*     Interacts with Enterprise team members extensively regarding their benefits and processing of these benefits. 
*     Establishes trusting and cooperative relationships due to the confidential nature of information.
*     Coordinates the preparation and implementation of communications and educational programs and materials with regard to benefits and wellness programs. 
*     Researches complex and non-routine problems and develops recommendations for resolution. 
*     Completes benefits surveys and participates in the development of new or revised benefits policy recommendations. 
*     Administers and monitors the processing of all benefits documentation to ensure compliance with policy, procedure, and regulatory requirements; provides input into the design, implementation, and/or modification of documentation, as appropriate. 
*     Assists with annual compliance-related materials and notifications to Team Members including but not limited to 401k Fee Disclosure, Medicare Part D notice, Welfare Plan Summary Annual Report and the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
*     Assists with the development and implementation of Enterprise-wide wellness programs, including health fairs and related events (including developing specific initiatives such as biometric events, increasing use of preventative measures, etc) with the goal of promoting healthy lifestyles for team members and to reduce health related expenses. 
*     Compiles, analyzes, and reconciles financial and statistical data, and generates a range of individual and group financial and statistical reports for clients, benefits providers, management, and other constituencies. 
*     Reconciles benefits billings; resolves billing issues; prepares notifications; collects contributions; and distributes payments when necessary from team members.
*     Maintains good communication with co-workers and maintains a positive and professional work environment.
*     Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results as required.
*     Performs other duties as required.