Principal Benefits Analyst

Bray International, Inc.•Houston, TX

24d

About The Position

The Principal Benefits Analyst is Bray International’s senior individual contributor and technical authority for strategic analysis, design support, administration, compliance, and continuous improvement of employee benefits and wellbeing programs. The role provides subject matter expertise across health, welfare, retirement, leave, and wellness programs, translating complex data, market trends, and regulatory requirements into practical recommendations. The analyst partners with Human Resources, Finance, Payroll, business leaders, brokers, consultants, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators to evaluate plan performance, support benefits strategy, lead renewals and major initiatives, strengthen governance, and improve the employee experience. The position operates with substantial independence and has no direct people-management responsibility. It provides technical guidance, consultation, training, and mentoring to HR and Benefits colleagues, and leads complex cross-functional benefits projects and strategic initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Healthcare Administration, or a related field.
10+ years of progressive experience in benefits administration, benefits analysis, or total rewards.
Demonstrated experience serving as a senior benefits subject matter expert and leading complex, enterprise-level initiatives.
Experience administering and evaluating self-funded and fully insured health and welfare plans.
Experience leading benefits renewals, financial modeling, benchmarking, open enrollment, and vendor performance activities.
Expert knowledge of employee benefits strategy, plan design, administration, and governance.
Comprehensive understanding of ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, and related compliance requirements.
Advanced financial modeling, forecasting, benchmarking, and data-analysis capabilities.
Ability to translate complex data and regulations into clear business recommendations.
Experience evaluating vendors, contracts, service levels, and program performance.
Strong project leadership, implementation, process improvement, and change-management skills.
Excellent executive communication, presentation, consultation, and influencing skills.
Ability to lead through expertise and build alignment without formal authority.
Strong business acumen and understanding of the relationship between benefits, employee experience, and organizational objectives.
Ability to manage multiple strategic and operational priorities with a high degree of independence.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, integrity, and confidentiality.
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, HRIS, benefits administration platforms, and reporting tools.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting multi-state and/or global benefits programs.
Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) certification.
SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification.
Working knowledge of UKG Pro and/or UKG Ready.
Power BI experience.

Responsibilities

Evaluate benefit programs, market practices, workforce needs, and plan alternatives; develop recommendations balancing employee value, competitiveness, risk, and cost effectiveness.
Analyze enrollment, utilization, claims, financial, participation, and vendor performance data; develop models, dashboards, forecasts, and executive-ready insights.
Lead analytical support for annual renewals, budgeting, forecasting, benchmarking, contribution modeling, and cost-containment initiatives.
Serve as the escalation point for complex benefits issues and strengthen controls, documentation, eligibility processes, reconciliations, and administrative consistency.
Lead working relationships with brokers, consultants, carriers, and third-party administrators; evaluate performance, support negotiations, and drive issue resolution.
Interpret and apply ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, and other applicable requirements; lead audits, filings, governance activities, and corrective actions.
Develop clear communications, decision-support tools, presentations, and education initiatives to improve employee understanding and engagement.
Lead complex benefits projects, vendor implementations, integrations, system enhancements, open-enrollment workstreams, and cross-functional initiatives.
Provide expert guidance, training, and mentoring to HR and Benefits team members without direct supervisory responsibility.
Identify opportunities for automation, process improvement, stronger reporting, improved program value, and enhanced employee experience.
Monitor emerging benefits practices, legislative developments, and competitive trends; assess implications and recommend action.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Establish and maintain trusted relationships with internal stakeholders, employees, brokers, consultants, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators.
Operate independently, exercise professional judgment and accountability, influence decisions through expertise and business insight, and support HR leadership with strategic recommendations.
Lead benefits audits, regulatory reporting, governance activities, system enhancements, and risk-mitigation efforts; coordinate project activities and deliverables without formal supervisory responsibilities.