Benefits Analyst
About The Position
The Benefits Analyst administers, analyzes, and improves the company’s employee benefits programs. The role ensures that plans are competitive, cost-effective, compliant with applicable regulations, and aligned with organizational objectives and employee needs. As a subject matter expert in health and welfare benefits, retirement plans, leave programs, and other employee benefits, the analyst works with Human Resources, Finance, Payroll, benefits brokers, insurance carriers, third-party administrators, and employees to support accurate administration, vendor management, and a positive employee experience. The position is responsible for benefits administration and regulatory compliance, managing vendor and financial processes, employee communications and support, reporting and process improvement, and leave and disability administration. It also supports HR initiatives related to engagement, wellness, retention, and total rewards, and undertakes special projects and other HR responsibilities as assigned.
Requirements
- Five or more years of progressive experience in human resources, employee benefits administration, benefits analysis, or total rewards.
- Demonstrated experience administering health and welfare benefits, retirement plans, and annual open enrollment.
- Experience with benefits compliance, vendor management, benefits reporting, and cost analysis.
- Experience working with HRIS, payroll, and benefits administration systems.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
- Experience supporting a multi-state workforce.
Responsibilities
- Administer medical, dental, vision, life, disability, voluntary benefits, and retirement plans.
- Manage new-hire enrollment, qualifying life events, annual open enrollment, and benefits changes related to employee status, leaves, and terminations.
- Process benefit elections, eligibility, payroll deductions, employer contributions, and carrier invoices accurately.
- Maintain accurate benefits records and confidential employee information.
- Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local benefits regulations, including ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, FMLA, and state leave requirements.
- Coordinate required benefits notices, filings, reporting, disclosures, and audits, including Form 5500 and ACA reporting.
- Maintain benefits policies, plan documents, and procedures, and partner with brokers, legal counsel, and plan administrators on compliance matters.
- Manage relationships with benefits brokers, carriers, third-party administrators, and other service providers.
- Monitor vendor performance, resolve escalated issues, and identify opportunities to improve service delivery.
- Analyze benefits costs, utilization, renewals, and plan performance to support budgeting, forecasting, and benefits strategy.
- Support annual renewals, plan design evaluations, contract reviews, and cost-containment initiatives while maintaining competitive benefits offerings.
- Advise employees and managers on benefits eligibility, coverage, enrollment, claims, and plan provisions; resolve complex inquiries with carriers and administrators.
- Develop benefits communications, enrollment materials, FAQs, and employee education resources.
- Coordinate open enrollment, new-hire benefits orientation, and ongoing employee education.
- Develop and maintain reports and metrics related to benefits enrollment, costs, participation, and program effectiveness.
- Analyze benefits data to identify trends, discrepancies, risks, and improvement opportunities.
- Partner with HR and Finance on benefits budgeting, forecasting, reconciliation, and financial reporting.
- Improve benefits administration processes and support HRIS enhancements, system integrations, data audits, and documentation.
- Administer FMLA, short-term and long-term disability, military leave, company-sponsored leaves, and applicable state and local leave programs.
- Manage leave cases from initial notification through return to work, including eligibility, notices, documentation, tracking, extensions, and intermittent leave.
- Coordinate with employees, managers, Payroll, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators on leave approvals, disability claims, benefit payments, and payroll adjustments.
- Ensure compliance with leave requirements and coordinate overlapping leave entitlements, continuation of benefits, and COBRA obligations as appropriate.
- Coordinate return-to-work processes, including work restrictions, reasonable accommodations, and the interactive process when applicable.
- Maintain confidential leave records, communicate leave policies and procedures, and monitor leave trends to identify process improvements.
- Support HR initiatives related to employee engagement, wellness, retention, and total rewards.
- Stay current on benefits trends, regulatory changes, and industry best practices.
- Perform special projects and other HR responsibilities as assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
