Senior Benefits Manager

US Job Description

Firm Information

Reed Smith is a global relationship law firm with more than 1,700 lawyers in 30 offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Founded in 1877, the firm represents leading international businesses, from Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises. Its lawyers provide litigation and other dispute resolution services in multi-jurisdictional and other high-stakes matters; deliver regulatory counsel; and execute the full range of strategic domestic and cross-border transactions. Reed Smith is a preeminent advisor to industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, advertising, entertainment and media, shipping and transport, energy and natural resources, real estate, manufacturing, technology, and education. For more information, visit

Position Summary

This position is responsible for the direction, coordination, overall management and administration of the employee benefit plans in all US offices. The Senior Benefits Manager is responsible for keeping informed of new laws and regulations as they pertain to employee benefits. The Senior Benefits Manager will work closely with the Firms Retirement Committee and other Firm Management to assure that legal, technical, and ethical requirements are met.

Essential Functions

Evaluate, develop, propose, and implement employee benefits strategy and plan designs that support US partners and employees and the long-term business strategy, as well as ensure compliance with all laws and regulations.

Monitor and analyze employee benefit practices, review benchmarking data and trends to ensure that benefit plans are competitive, cost-effective and enable the firm to attract and retain employees.

Manage annual benefit renewal process evaluating and analyzing the renewals as presented by consultants, vendors, and brokers. Responsible for all health and welfare benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life, STD, LTD, HSA, FSA, and voluntary benefits.

Work with benefit consultants and HR Director to make recommendations to senior management team on open enrollment benefit decisions including plan design changes, additions, cost projections, firm and employee cost impact and future considerations.

Manage and ensure the firms annual benefit open enrollment process is completed accurately and timely, including programming and testing of PeopleSoft benefit administration system.

Develop and deliver educational materials, presentations, and communication strategies to enhance employee understanding of benefit offerings.

Financial responsibility for the Flexible Benefits Trust Account and checking account including executing and tracking all deposits, contributions, transfers and withdrawals, paying invoices and reconciling bank records.

Conduct budgeting and financial analysis of employee benefits programs. Monitor high- cost claims and target problem claims areas. Ensure accurate estimates, forecasts, and calculations of expenditures in benefits for budget planning and tracking.

Manage ancillary benefit programs including Lyra Health EAP, Carrot family forming benefit, and Bright Horizon family solutions.

Collaborate with non-US HR personnel to develop and implement benefit programs to be offered globally.

Manage vendors responsible for the day-to-day administration of the benefit programs including the self-insured medical and disability plans.

Ensure plans meet requirements and statutory compliance with ACA, FMLA, ADA, COBRA, ERISA, and HIPAA legislation.

Responsible for administration of all leave of absence programs, including FMLA, short and long-term disability, parental leave, workers compensation and ADA. Manage and track the accommodation process.

Plan manager for the 401k Plan, Cash Balance Retirement Plan and Partners Deferred Allocation Plan. Ensure retirement plans are administered in accordance with plan documents and federal guidelines and regulations. Ad hoc member of the firms Retirement Committee.

Responsible for determining eligibility for the 401k Plan, explain plan provisions, calculate employer contributions, submit contributions to plan recordkeeper and fund contributions.

Responsible for explaining provisions of Cash Balance Retirement Plan and Partners Deferred Allocation Plan. Manage enrollments in the plans, request and maintain participant elections, calculate contributions, submit, and fund the contributions.

Manage the Cash Balance Retirement Plan distribution process and annuity payments including preparation of benefit packets, finalizing amounts, and preparing authorization instructions for plan trustee and investment manager.

Compile and report census data for the annual non-discrimination testing of the 401(k) and Cash Balance Retirement Plans.

Collaborate with the Consultants, Actuaries, Trustees, Record-keepers, and Investment Managers on the administration of the retirement plans.

Responsible for government reporting and filings for health and welfare plan and retirement plans with federal and state agencies including the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor, PBGC and other regulatory agencies.

Work with external and internal auditors and finance personnel in annual audit of health and welfare and retirement plans. Responsible for completion and filing of 5500 Forms.

Collaborate with internal stakeholders such as HR, Finance and Payroll to ensure seamless integration and processing of benefit administration activities.

Responsible for management of the systems and technology to support the benefit plans.

Responsible for content, maintenance, and updates to firms intranet benefit website.

Manages benefit staff by coaching, counseling, and mentoring employees.

Job functions included are not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. Reed Smith reserves the right to revise or modify job functions at any time.

Requirements

Education: Undergraduate degree required; CEBS certification highly preferred.

Experience: Familiarity with all aspects of employee benefit matters. 10+ years of employee benefit manager experience required.

Skills: Ability to interact with all levels of management and staff personnel. Strong leadership, management, communication and writing skills.

Other

Supervisory Responsibilities: Directly supervise Benefits Coordinator and two Benefits Specialists.

Equipment To Be Used: Personal computer and other office equipment such as telephone, calculator, fax, machine, copier, scanner, etc.

Typical Physical Demands: Requires sitting for extended periods of time. May require bending, stooping, and reaching. May require lifting up to 20 pounds. Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office machines such as computer, keyboard, telephone, photocopier, printer, and other office equipment.

Typical Mental Demands: Able to work effectively in a fast paced environment. Make judgment decisions and adapt to changing work situations. Grasp and apply new ideas. Communicate with various personalities at all levels.

Working Conditions: You will be required to work in the office a minimum of 2 days per week. The details of your weekly schedule will be discussed further with your direct supervisor.

Reed Smith offers a challenging work environment, business casual dress code and a total compensation package that includes a competitive salary, flexible benefits program, tuition assistance, and generous 401 (k) plan.

Reed Smith is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reed Smith's success depends heavily on the effective utilization of qualified people, regardless of their race, ancestry, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, veteran's status, or any characteristic protected by law. As a firm, we adhere to and promote equal employment opportunity for all.

Reed Smith provides reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, including in the application and interview process.

Qualified candidates only. No search firms.