Sr. Specialist, Operations - Benefits- United States & Puerto Rico - Hyrid

MSD

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

As part of the Compensation & Benefits Operations team, you play a key role in the exceptional delivery of our Company's Total Rewards program to employees and their families. The Compensation and Benefits Senior Specialist is responsible for administering operations initiatives related to our Company's United States Pension plan & Puerto Rico Retirement and Health & Welfare benefit plans with a variety of stakeholders. This role requires strong organizational, analytical and communication skills, empathy, and attention to detail. This role will lead various processes in multiple benefit programs, including our Company's Puerto Rico 401(k), pension, Active and Retiree medical plans, as well as administering United States Benefit plans for Union and Non-Union employees.

Requirements

Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree, or currently in pursuit of degree completion, or equivalent relevant work experience.
Minimum of 6 years’ experience in benefits administration and support or related experience (with Master’s degree, minimum experience is 4 years).
Bilingual (English and Spanish) required
Accountability
Adaptability
Administration Management
Analytical Thinking
Benefits Administration
Benefits Planning
Change Management
Compliance Reviews
Financial Review
HR Analytics
HR Automation
HR Documentation
HR Process Design
Human Resource Management
Human Resources Processes
Process Improvements
Project Management

Responsibilities

Benefit Plan Lead Lead ongoing administration and special projects for United States and Puerto Rico Pension, 401(k), and Health and Welfare plans (e.g. annual enrollment planning and execution, facilitating quarterly Puerto Rico benefits committee approvals, financial oversight, reporting, plan audit(s) validation, regulatory filings, benefits education/outreach)
Primary responsible party for daily activities related to Puerto Rico Health & Wellness plan administration
Partner with team members in Centers of Expertise (COEs), Payroll, Legal, Finance, Labor Relations, and the HRBP community regarding various HR inquiries, projects, and Mergers & Acquisitions activity/site closures for Puerto Rico and supporting US
Manage processes with vendors including participant United States scalations, audit, and actuarial governance, departmental budget tracking, year-end compliance handling, payroll testing.
Guide transitioning executives and employees in their understanding of key compensation & benefits programs at critical moments in their career lifecycle
Review and research employee and retiree issues to ensure a seamless participant experience
Partner with outside vendors and lead the resolution of issues that escalate through the Human Resources Support Center, and further partner with benefit providers to resolve escalations
Provide sensitive, empathetic, timely benefits support to employees and families through challenging life circumstances (e.g. retirement, long-term disability, death)
Deep knowledge of United States and Puerto Rico benefits programs (Pension, 401(k), Retiree Medical, Health & Welfare), ERISA and other United States benefits regulations
Organized, effective communicator with the ability to respond to difficult situations and maintain confidentiality
Strong judgment, analytical, and problem-solving skills
Ability to work with plan actuaries and strong understanding of plan financials
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently