Principal Benefits Analyst

Bray•Houston, TX

23d

About The Position

The Principal Benefits Analyst is the senior individual contributor and technical authority responsible for strategic analysis, design support, administration, compliance, and continuous improvement of Bray International's 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 benefit strategy, lead renewals and major initiatives, strengthen governance, and improve the employee experience. This is a senior individual contributor role with no direct people-management responsibility. The role operates with a high degree of independence and serves as the escalation point and subject matter expert for complex benefits matters. It provides technical leadership, consultation, training, and mentoring to Benefits and HR team members, and leads complex cross-functional projects and strategic initiatives. It may coordinate project activities and deliverables but does not conduct formal performance management or other direct supervisory responsibilities. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Healthcare Administration, or a related field required.
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.
Strong relationships and collaboration with Human Resources, Finance, Payroll, business leaders, employees, brokers, consultants, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators.

Nice To Haves

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

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 benefit 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.
Establish and maintain trusted relationships with Human Resources, Finance, Payroll, business leaders, employees, brokers, consultants, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators.
Provide HR leadership with strategic recommendations regarding plan performance, costs, risks, and employee participation.
Lead benefits audits, regulatory reporting, governance activities, system enhancements, and risk-mitigation efforts.
Influence decisions through data, expertise, business insight, and stakeholder partnership.