Benefits Analyst

Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.•Kansas City, MO

15h

About The Position

The Benefits Analyst is responsible for administration, analysis and strategic evaluation of employee benefits plans and programs (including health, dental, vision, life/ADD, disability and retirement), ensuring competitive offerings while maintaining compliance with federal and state regulations and managing costs effectively. Requires effective collaboration with firm leadership, plan brokers and vendors to assess and enhance employee benefits. Responsible for enrollment, eligibility, implementation and ongoing administration of employee benefit plans, including relationships with the firm's benefits broker and vendors. Audits benefits data to ensure HRIS and vendor data are consistent with participant eligibility and elections. Analyzes benefits data, costs, utilization and trends to identify opportunities for improvement, cost savings or program modifications, generating reports for collaboration with internal and external resources and stakeholders. Develops recommendations to address changing benefit needs of the employee population to ensure the firm's competitive position, ensuring the availability of flexible benefit options to meet the needs of employees across all firm locations. Produces thorough and accurate benefit communication materials with support and input from the benefits team, the benefits broker and vendors. Develops timely and targeted messages for employees to address specific program opportunities and timelines and supports employee education about benefit programs. Serves as a content creator and contributor for the firm's intranet, creating visually appealing and informative communications about employee benefit programs. Coordinates communication about benefit programs with firm leadership and Benefits Committee, preparing meeting materials and coordinating key meeting logistics. Serves as a subject matter expert on employee benefit programs. Responds to and resolves benefit inquiries on plan details, enrollments, status changes and claim issues. Engages with vendors to ensure employee concerns are resolved in a timely and equitable manner within the guidelines of the specific programs and plans. Monitors and interprets changes in benefits laws (ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, FMLA, COBRA) with input from legal counsel and benefits broker. Ensures adherence through regular audits. Prepares required federal/state/local filings, census requests, vendor/benefit assessments and other requested documents. Proposes, designs and implements wellness initiatives in collaboration with the HR services team, the broader HR team or other project teams. Demonstrates effective contributions to a collaborative team environment through clear communication, active and timely participation in shared projects and objectives, and support colleagues in achieving team and departmental goals. Uphold the highest standards of professional responsibility and ethics when handling sensitive data, diligently protecting confidential employee information in compliance with privacy regulations. Maintains a courteous, professional demeanor under stress and provides positive solutions during difficult situations. Keeps supervisor abreast of current issues and potential problems as they develop, suggests possible solutions and seeks advice as needed. Works on other special projects as necessary.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university
Three to five years of experience related to employee benefit administration, retirement plan administration and HR systems
Ability to use various software programs, including Microsoft Office suite and Human Resources Management System
Advanced Excel skills preferred

Nice To Haves

CEBS, SHRM or HRCI certification and work experience at a multi-state employer is a plus

Responsibilities

Administration, analysis and strategic evaluation of employee benefits plans and programs
Enrollment, eligibility, implementation and ongoing administration of employee benefit plans
Audits benefits data to ensure HRIS and vendor data are consistent with participant eligibility and elections
Analyzes benefits data, costs, utilization and trends to identify opportunities for improvement, cost savings or program modifications
Develops recommendations to address changing benefit needs of the employee population
Produces thorough and accurate benefit communication materials
Coordinates communication about benefit programs with firm leadership and Benefits Committee
Serves as a subject matter expert on employee benefit programs
Monitors and interprets changes in benefits laws (ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, FMLA, COBRA)
Proposes, designs and implements wellness initiatives
Demonstrates effective contributions to a collaborative team environment
Uphold the highest standards of professional responsibility and ethics when handling sensitive data
Maintains a courteous, professional demeanor under stress and provides positive solutions during difficult situations
Keeps supervisor abreast of current issues and potential problems as they develop, suggests possible solutions and seeks advice as needed
Works on other special projects as necessary