Benefits Analyst

ESAB•Denton, MD

About The Position

There’s never been a better time to join our team. The thousands of ESAB associates located around the world share a common set of goals and values that drive our success and unparalleled innovation in fabrication technology and specialty gas control equipment. At ESAB, we value and respect everyone’s uniqueness and know that our experiences as individuals strengthen our company. And we know that our ability to collaborate, transform, and empower one another is what makes us unstoppable. With our culture of continuous improvement and innovation and our commitment to living our values, working at ESAB is a career experience like no other. We have more than 9,000 passionate associates in locations across six continents, and we empower our team members to shape the world we imagine every day. If you have a strong desire to be part of a team that delivers cutting-edge innovations and solutions and positively impacts the community, please check out our career opportunities. We help serve a diverse range of industries such as healthcare, automotive, aerospace, renewable energy, robotics, shipbuilding, and so much more. Your Opportunity: We are seeking a skilled and motivated Benefits Specialist to join our U.S. Benefits team. This role will play a critical part in supporting Open Enrollment, ongoing employee benefit programs, compliance activities, and vendor relationships. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative, detail-oriented professional with deep knowledge of U.S. benefits administration, regulatory compliance, and a proven ability to deliver exceptional employee support. This role is suited for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, decentralized environment and can balance strategic vendor management with hands-on employee assistance.

Requirements

Demonstrated understanding of U.S. Benefits, including:
Self-funded medical/dental/vision programs
401(k) plan administration and compliance
Federal, state, and local leave laws
ACA administration and reporting
Experience with third-party benefits administration vendors.
Proven ability to work effectively in a decentralized HR environment.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to resolve complex data/reporting issues.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a focus on employee experience.
Willingness to travel within the U.S. as needed.
Minimum of 3 years of experience required

Nice To Haves

Workday HRIS system.
Union benefits administration.

Responsibilities

Deliver in-person Open Enrollment meetings across U.S. locations.
Provide real-time employee support aligned to Eastern or Central Time Zones.
Lead Open Enrollment testing and system validation activities.
Prepare and distribute employee communications (guides, newsletters, FAQs, notices) that are clear, compliant, and engaging.
Partner with HR Business Partners to identify recurring employee questions and develop education strategies.
Correspond directly with retirees via phone to resolve inquiries and provide benefits guidance.
Manage escalated employee issues with professionalism, empathy, and urgency.
Lead meetings with external vendors and partners across the U.S. benefits portfolio.
Oversee vendor relationships (Matrix LOA, Businessolver, Fidelity), ensuring service excellence and accountability.
Maintain the Third-Party Administrator (TPA) benefits portal.
Travel domestically to support onsite HR/vendor meetings and resolve escalated issues.
Maintain strong understanding of U.S. benefit reporting requirements (RxDC, ACA, CMS, etc.).
Monitor legislative and regulatory changes (IRS, DOL, ERISA, SECURE 2.0, state-specific laws) and ensure compliance.
Support nondiscrimination testing (Section 125, 401(k), etc.) and corrective action processes.
Assist with internal, external, and regulatory audit/compliance reviews (including SOX, 401(k), and pension audits).
Manage ADA accommodation processes in partnership with HR and Legal.
Review and validate benefit deduction files, payroll reports, and vendor error reports; resolve discrepancies.
Conduct audits across 401(k), HSA, benefits enrollment, and payroll integrations.
Develop and analyze metrics on benefit utilization, costs, and vendor performance to recommend improvements.
Prepare and distribute routine reporting (e.g., wellness dashboards, CBIZ reports, retiree status updates, ACA reporting).
Provide ad hoc reports to Finance, HR Leadership, and other stakeholders.
Deliver training sessions for HR and employees on benefits processes.
Manage communications with HRIS, retirees, dependents, and vendors.
Support claims administration (FMLA, life insurance, COBRA subsidy letters).
Identify and implement process improvements to drive efficiency, accuracy, and employee satisfaction.
Maintain annual benefit summaries and internal communications.
Support annual initiatives such as vendor renewals, new program rollouts, and M&A integrations.