Senior Benefits Analyst

ESAB•Bethesda, MD

About The Position

The Senior Benefits Analyst supports the administration, analysis, and continuous improvement of ESAB’s employee benefits programs. The role manages day-to-day activities involving U.S. health and welfare plans, retirement programs, leave and disability benefits, and other benefit offerings. Working with HR Business Partners, Payroll, HRIS, Finance, and external vendors, the analyst helps ensure accurate benefits administration, regulatory compliance, and a positive associate experience. The position also supports benefits work related to mergers and acquisitions, system implementations, and process improvements. The analyst serves as an escalation point for complex associate benefits inquiries, coordinates with vendors, supports compliance and audit activities, reviews benefits and payroll data, and contributes to reporting, budgeting, system testing, and integrations. The role requires independently managing responsibilities and projects, resolving complex issues, and working effectively in a decentralized HR environment. ESAB describes itself as a global organization with more than 9,000 associates across six continents, serving industries including healthcare, automotive, aerospace, renewable energy, robotics, and shipbuilding. The pay range for this position is $96,093.00–$111,707.00.

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 U.S. employee benefits, including 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 ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, and other applicable benefits requirements.
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 identifying and resolving 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.
Respond to complex associate and retiree questions about eligibility, enrollment, claims, and payroll deductions, including by telephone.
Support annual Open Enrollment, including system testing, eligibility validation, communications, and post-enrollment audits.
Prepare, maintain, and distribute benefits communications and educational materials.
Partner with HR Business Partners on benefits administration and communications for acquisitions and employee transitions.
Maintain benefits documentation, procedures, and reference materials.
Coordinate with benefits vendors, consultants, and third-party administrators; participate in vendor meetings and track issues and follow-up.
Review benefits data for acquisitions, vendor implementations, and eligibility file transmissions; investigate and resolve discrepancies and administrative issues.
Maintain benefits information in the TPA benefits portal, including its Reference Center and associate-facing resources.
Review vendor reports and processes and collaborate with stakeholders on plan changes and system enhancements.
Support compliance with applicable benefits laws and regulations, audits, annual filings, notices, disclosures, and reporting.
Gather, validate, and organize documentation for audits, filings, and regulatory reporting; maintain records for compliance and 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, benefits enrollment, payroll deductions, and vendor integrations.
Monitor data accuracy across Workday, benefits administration platforms, payroll systems, and vendor systems.
Prepare recurring benefits reports and develop ad hoc reporting and analyses for integrations, acquisitions, and special projects.
Assist with benefits budgeting, financial reconciliations, and analysis of program costs and trends.
Identify opportunities to improve reporting accuracy, internal controls, data quality, automation, and administrative efficiency.
Partner with HRIS and Payroll on benefits configurations, eligibility rules, deductions, integrations, system testing, and error correction.
Support benefits data conversions, system updates, and integrations associated with acquisitions.
Support benefits projects, including acquisitions, vendor implementations, annual renewals, and system enhancements; coordinate activities, track deliverables, and communicate updates.
Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and process documentation, identify process gaps, and recommend improvements.
Independently manage assigned projects and priorities while meeting established deadlines.