Specialist Benefits (12 months contract)

Canadian National Railway Company•Homewood, IL

3d•$68,000 - $89,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Benefits Specialist is responsible for administering Canadian and U.S. group benefits programs including support and resolution of benefits-related issues. The incumbent ensures data and coverage accuracy in payroll system and in external providers systems, manages interfaces with multiple carriers, and answers employees’ inquiries. The role also provides resolution, supports disability cases and coordinates with internal and external parties. The incumbent advises and provides recommendations for issues related to benefits.

Requirements

Minimum 3 years of experience in benefits (Cananda and U.S.)
Relevant experience in group insurance programs or benefit administration
College Diploma in Administration, or Bachelor Degree in Administration, Human Resources or equivalent
Communicates with impact
Sets direction and inspires others
Collaborates with others and shares information
Applies critical thinking
Knows the business and stays current on industry needs
Demonstrates agility and drives change
Identifies potential safety and security risks
Identifies needs and finds solutions to create value for all stakeholders
Good knowledge of Benefits including general provisions, rules and premium calculation
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and Power BI
Knowledge of SAP
Fluently bilingual both written and verbal (English, French)

Nice To Haves

Any knowledge for any of the above would be considered as an asset

Responsibilities

Administer benefit enrollment tool used by employees to update benefit coverage, make recommendation of improvement and implement changes in collaboration with Information and Technology (I&T)
Oversee interface with external vendors, review periodic error reports and resolve issues, recommend and implement changes and fixes in collaboration with IT, considering complexity due to several groups and of different carriers
Perform data accuracy activities in Supply, Application and Products (SAP) as well as with insurers and ensure coverage is aligned with collective agreements (when applicable) and insurer contract
Perform periodic data audit, apply corrections and changes in a timely manner
Lead and implement ongoing benefit changes in SAP and with different insurers and considering groups differentiation (handle complex structure due to multiple groups and plans)
Provide support and guidance to employees for all requests and issues related to group benefits (multiple groups and insurers)
Provide accurate response and issue resolution
Handle recurring special and complex situations such as denial following employment termination, request for exceptions, etc.
Carry out administrative tasks related to benefit, coordinate when required with I&T, payroll, Human Resources (HR) and Labour Relations (LR)
Administer union representatives benefits and payment including eligibility letters, coordination with Unions and process premium payments
Maintain and update benefits related information available to employees
Support audits with internal and external stakeholders
Manage various vendor payments and reconciliation of assigned programs
Participate in quality activities and continuous improvement initiatives
Manage death claim process and coordinate with insurers, internal stakeholders, third party administrators and beneficiaries, and confirm death benefit amount according to collective agreement and eligibility rules
Provide support to internal stakeholders, employees and unions on disability claim process, action to take, assistance for disagreement
Oversee and coordinate with involved parties (HR, LR, employee, Union, Return to Work (RTW), Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) disability cases that require special support and escalation
Notify appropriate parties of declined, terminated claims and claims transferring from Short-Term Disability (STD) to Long-Term Disability (LTD) to ensure the employees are tracked and supported throughout the process
Request and ensure proper staffing for all long-term disability cases
Handle disability cases with empathy, support employees in the process, advise and coordinate with providers and other parties
Responsible for post-retirement benefits administration for Define Contribution (DC) retirees including preparing and sending benefit information according to eligibility rules and group
Set-up of life insurance coverage with insurers prepare premium billing and process payment, calculate and produce annual taxable benefits with payroll
Maintain data and eligibility for all retirees eligible, handle death claims with insurers, answer questions and resolve issues
Handle questions and request to CN Pensioner’s association (CNPA’s) post-retirement Plan (eligibility, process, coverage)