Sr. Benefits Analyst

Goodwin Procter•Boston, MA

16h•$76,000 - $95,000

About The Position

Join Goodwin’s Global Operations Team, and make a real impact on a global scale. At Goodwin, we work with some of the world’s most successful and innovative investors, entrepreneurs and disruptors in the life sciences, private equity, real estate, technology and financial industries, and where they converge. As part of the Global Operations Team – all business professionals at the firm – you’ll collaborate with colleagues from varied backgrounds and experiences, fostering an environment where cross-functional learning, networking, and collaboration are at the core of what we do. Here, we’re not just supporting a law firm; we’re partnering with attorneys and clients to deliver cutting-edge solutions in high-stakes litigation and dispute resolution, world-class regulatory compliance and advisory services, and complex transactions. Our commitment to integrity, ingenuity, agility, and ambition drives us, and we’re proud to have been recognised as the “Best Business Team” by The American Lawyer. This is your opportunity to grow professionally in a dynamic, global environment, surrounded by forward-thinking peers. As the Sr. Benefits Analyst you will work under the direction of the Manager, Benefits to administer leaves of absence and assist partners and employees with benefit enrollments in U.S. and international offices. This role will proactively liaise and leverage external resources (vendors and consultants) and internal firm partners (HR, Payroll, Finance, etc.) to identify gaps and to create efficient processes. The Senior Benefits Analyst will also play an active role in implementing various department projects and initiatives, including wellness programming.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree preferred.
5-7 years of experience in HR Benefits analysis or/and administration related functions.
Working knowledge of all federal and state requirements (i.e. COBRA,  FMLA, ERISA, etc.)
Strong verbal, written, analytical and interpersonal skills necessary to articulate to partners, employees and retirees the features and requirements of the firm's retirement benefit programs and cash balance plan for partners.
Advanced Microsoft Office skills required (i.e., Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
Must demonstrate the ability to maintain strict confidentiality of the firm's internal and personnel affairs.
Ability to maintain professional demeanor in all situations and ability to interact effectively with all levels of firm personnel including the Benefits and HR team and Payroll and Finance departments, as well as with retirees.
Must be customer service focused and have the ability to follow up and follow through.
Demonstrate the ability to work independently with limited guidance, and exercise sound independent judgment including knowing when to delegate or when to consult with the Manager, Benefits.
Able to understand and work in a teamwork/collaborative style and environment; able to share information, goals, opportunities, successes and failures with the appropriate parties and HR management team; and actively participate in teams and provide team leadership.
Must be flexible and able to work under tight deadlines, handle multiple tasks, pay attention to detail and respond quickly to changing priorities and responsibilities.
Ability to anticipate problems and focus on appropriate solutions while incorporating differing viewpoints.
Ability to work effectively in a multi-office global environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Workday a plus.  Experience in implementing new technologies/systems a plus.
Working knowledge of web-based computer environment and software programs, spreadsheets, employee database (HRIS).

Responsibilities

Process and monitors leaves of absences, including parental, short and long-term disability, FMLA, and other leaves of absence and ensures that all leaves are in compliance with firm policies, federal, state and city leave laws. Informs partners and employees of firm policies and procedures and eligibility for various types of leaves, assists them with the claims process, handles all paperwork and enters the employer’s statements on the insurer’s website.
Monitors leave of absences status of claims and assists with return to work options when appropriate. Monitors all paperwork to ensure appropriate documentation.
Maintains the time and attendance process related to leaves of absence. Enters leave time in Workday. Updates Workday with leave start and end dates and ensures partners and employees are paid appropriately while on leave. Provides continuous follow-up throughout a leave and ensures that managers are kept informed of the partner or employee’s status.
Assists with coordinating annual open enrollment, including active participation in the firm-wide health fairs. Responsible for coordinating with vendors, scheduling meetings, and distributing materials. Assists in the writing/creation of communication pieces such as open enrollment guides, web page content, etc. Assists in communicating changes to partners, lawyers and professional staff members. Ensures enrollments/changes/terminations in benefits plans are processed and maintained in Workday.
Promotes and facilitates education about firm benefit programs. Maintains and revises technical and administrative specifications of the plans including updating and posting appropriate documents on the iNet. Keeps self-apprised of current and potential legislation governing the firm’s health, welfare and retirement plans.
Recommends and implements improvements to existing internal audit procedures, as well as develops and implements new internal audit procedures to insure accuracy of benefits enrollments and compliance with state and federal laws. Identify and resolve data discrepancies to ensure consistency and accuracy of benefit calculations, and reconcile accounts. Interfaces with Finance on wires and other payments.
Assists in the administration of all partner health and welfare benefit plans which include: health, dental, life, LTD, supplemental LTD and Umbrella Liability insurances.  Assists in the administration of the retiree medical program including enrollment, termination, and setting up and monitoring of billing. Assists with the preparation of all reporting for health and welfare plans, including but not limited to Form 5500s, Summary Annual Reports, non-discrimination testing and auditing. Responsible for the ongoing management of benefits administration, including processing of enrollments,  qualified status changes, and terminations for all health and welfare plans.  Calculate payroll deductions, entering enrollment data into HRIS system and communicating with partners and employees regarding their payroll deductions.
Act as contact and advocate answering questions related to all benefit programs, as well as other supplemental programs such as back-up daycare,  Health Advocate, EAP and wellness, etc.
Responsible for processing benefit invoices.  Runs and reviews auditing reports from the HRIS team on a regular basis and takes appropriate action.
Conducts benefits orientations for onboarding U.S. partners and fill in for U.K. benefits orientations when necessary. Recommends presentation or content enhancements.
Partner with HRIS team and external vendors to review feedback files from electronic feeds to vendors.
Assists/coordinates implementation of various firm-wide benefits programs and initiatives. Maintains thorough knowledge of the firm’s benefits, policies and procedures. Maintains current knowledge of trends, developments and legislative rulings related to benefits and Human Resources. Updates documentation and template letters to comply with regulatory changes to benefits and leave laws. Maintains current knowledge of HIPAA and GDPR privacy laws and ensures protection of privacy when dealing with protected health information.
Prepare benefits related documents for the exit interview process, including reviewing eligibility for notifying COBRA administrator of terminations. Assists/coordinates firms wellness program
Provide support and back-up for other team members, when necessary.