Senior Benefits Analyst

ESAB•Bethesda, MD

4d•$96,093 - $111,707

About The Position

The Senior Benefits Analyst administers, analyzes, and continuously improves ESAB’s employee benefits programs. The role supports day-to-day management of U.S. health and welfare plans, retirement programs, leave and disability benefits, and other employee offerings. Working with HR Business Partners, Payroll, HRIS, Finance, and external vendors, this position supports accurate administration, regulatory compliance, and a positive associate experience. It also contributes to benefits work related to mergers and acquisitions, system implementations, and process improvements. The role is suited to a detail-oriented, analytical, proactive professional who can independently manage responsibilities, resolve complex issues, and work effectively in a decentralized HR environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
At least 5 years of experience in employee benefits administration, benefits analysis, or Total Rewards.
Demonstrated understanding of self-funded medical, dental, and vision programs; 401(k) administration and compliance; HSAs and other tax-advantaged benefits; and life insurance, disability, and voluntary benefits.
Working knowledge of benefits regulations, including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and FMLA.
Experience working with third-party benefits administration vendors and external benefit providers.
Ability to work effectively in a decentralized HR environment with multiple stakeholders.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including ability to identify and resolve complex data and reporting discrepancies.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, lookups, and data reconciliation.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a focus on associate experience and service delivery.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage competing priorities.
Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive information.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Workday HRIS.
Experience with the Businessolver benefits administration platform.
Experience supporting benefits administration and leave of absence for a multi-state U.S. workforce.
Familiarity with payroll integrations, eligibility file transmissions, and benefits system testing.
Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, or employee benefits integrations.
Experience assisting with SOX, 401(k), pension, or other benefits-related audits.
Experience working in a publicly traded or multinational organization.

Responsibilities

Administer U.S. employee benefits programs, including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement, and voluntary benefits.
Resolve complex associate and retiree inquiries about benefits eligibility, enrollment, claims, and payroll deductions, including by telephone.
Support Open Enrollment, including system testing, eligibility validation, communications, and post-enrollment audits.
Prepare, maintain, and distribute benefits communications and materials, such as enrollment guides, newsletters, FAQs, notices, and educational resources.
Partner with HR Business Partners on benefits administration and communications related to acquisitions and employee transitions.
Maintain benefits documentation, procedures, and reference materials.
Coordinate with benefits vendors, consultants, and third-party administrators; participate in vendor meetings, track issues, and coordinate follow-up.
Review benefits data for acquisitions, implementations, and eligibility file transmissions; investigate and resolve vendor data discrepancies, enrollment errors, and administrative issues.
Maintain benefits information in the TPA portal, including the Reference Center and associate-facing resources.
Review vendor reports and administrative processes, and collaborate with internal and external partners on plan changes and system enhancements.
Support compliance with applicable federal and state benefits requirements, including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and FMLA.
Assist with internal, external, and regulatory audits, including SOX, 401(k), pension, and benefits reviews; gather and validate documentation for filings and reporting.
Support required notices, disclosures, and annual compliance reporting, and maintain records for audit readiness.
Review and validate benefits deduction files, payroll reports, vendor eligibility files, and error reports; investigate and resolve discrepancies.
Conduct recurring audits and reconciliations involving 401(k), HSA, enrollment, payroll deductions, and vendor integrations.
Monitor data accuracy across Workday, benefits platforms, payroll systems, and external vendor systems; troubleshoot eligibility, coverage, contribution, and deduction issues.
Prepare recurring benefits reports and ad hoc analyses for integrations, acquisitions, and special projects.
Assist with benefits budgeting, financial reconciliations, and analysis of program costs and trends.
Identify improvements to reporting accuracy, internal controls, data quality, automation, and administrative processes.
Partner with HRIS and Payroll on benefits configurations, eligibility rules, deductions, integrations, testing, and corrections to system-generated errors.
Support benefits data conversions, system updates, and integrations associated with acquisitions; help develop standardized processes, reporting tools, and administrative controls.
Support projects involving acquisitions, vendor implementations, annual renewals, and system enhancements; coordinate activities, track deliverables, and communicate updates.
Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and process documentation; independently manage assigned projects and priorities while meeting deadlines.