Benefits Analyst

Makers Pride•Downers Grove, IL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Benefits Analyst supports the administration, compliance, communication, and continuous improvement of Maker's Pride's health and welfare benefit programs. This role serves as a key resource for benefits operations, benefit plan audits, vendor coordination, system administration, communications, and compliance activities. The Benefits Analyst leverages data analytics and reporting to identify discrepancies, resolve issues, improve the team member experience, and ensure accurate administration of benefits programs across the organization. This is a hybrid role out of our Downers Grove, IL office 4 days/week.

Requirements

2+ years of experience in benefits administration, HR operations, payroll, or related analytical roles.
Experience working with HRIS platforms, preferably Dayforce.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with advanced attention to detail.
Ability to analyze large data sets and identify discrepancies, trends, and opportunities for improvement.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, formulas, and reporting.
Strong organizational and project management capabilities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with professionalism.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or a related field or a combination of education and work experience preferred but not required.
Experience supporting health and welfare benefit programs preferred.
Exposure to collective bargaining environments is a plus.
Knowledge of benefits regulations including HIPAA, ERISA, ACA, COBRA, and Section 125 preferred.

Responsibilities

Execute weekly benefit audits and coordinate corrective actions to ensure data accuracy and compliance.
Monitor and reconcile new hire enrollments, qualified life event (QLE) enrollments, pending Evidence of Insurability (EOI), and Statements of Health (SOH).
Track and manage unverified dependents and dependent eligibility audits, including dependents approaching age-out thresholds.
Review and resolve payroll deduction discrepancies across benefit programs.
Analyze and reconcile carrier discrepancy reports, including Delta Dental and VSP enrollment and deduction reports.
Develop regular reporting and dashboards to monitor enrollment activity, compliance concerns, and operational trends.
Identify opportunities for process improvement through data analysis and operational review.
Support the Senior Benefits Analyst with administration of health and welfare plans.
Assist with HIPAA compliance activities, documentation management, and audit support.
Coordinate with vendors on escalated enrollment, eligibility, and claims-related issues.
Support annual enrollment planning, testing, validation, and implementation activities.
Maintain accurate plan documentation and employee-facing materials.
Monitor and administer benefit provisions contained within collective bargaining agreements.
Ensure benefit eligibility, contributions, and plan administration align with negotiated contract terms.
Partner with HR, Labor Relations, Payroll, and Operations to resolve benefit-related CBA issues.
Support preparation and analysis of benefits data required during bargaining activities.
Coordinate execution of the annual wellness calendar and health promotion initiatives.
Maintain and update benefits content within Dayforce, the HUB, and employee benefit portals.
Develop and distribute benefit communications for new hires, open enrollment, wellness campaigns, and ongoing benefit initiatives.
Coordinate vendor-led webinars, educational sessions, and training materials.
Execute targeted communications related to preventive care programs, specialty benefits, and vendor-sponsored initiatives.
Support employee benefit education and awareness campaigns to increase engagement and utilization.
Support benefits system testing for plan changes, annual enrollment, acquisitions, and other organizational initiatives.
Conduct content reviews and quality assurance audits within Dayforce and related benefits platforms.
Assist with implementation and testing of benefit rate changes and system configurations.
Identify system issues and partner with HRIS, Payroll, and vendors to resolve discrepancies.
Maintain controls to ensure accuracy of enrollment feeds and carrier integrations.
Support internal and external benefit audits and compliance reviews.
Maintain benefit-related records and documentation in accordance with regulatory requirements.
Monitor operational processes to ensure compliance with ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, COBRA, and applicable state regulations.
Assist in preparing reporting and documentation required for regulatory filings, audits, and vendor reviews.