Benefits Specialist

Are you passionate about employee well-being and skilled in managing comprehensive benefits programs? We're looking for a dynamic and detail-oriented professional to lead the administration of our U.S.-based Health and Welfare plans. In this role, you'll ensure compliance, streamline processes, support employee education, and collaborate with internal and external partners to deliver an exceptional benefits experience. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and have a strong background in benefits administration, we'd love to hear from you This role can be based in: Jersey City, NJ - Boston, MA - Lehi, UT, which all have a flexible hybrid work model.

Principal Responsibilities and Essential Duties:

• Serves as the lead Benefits Specialist responsible for administering a broad range of U.S. based Health and Welfare benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, life insurance (basic and voluntary), spending accounts (healthcare, dependent care, HSAs) and other voluntary employee benefits programs (e.g. hospital, accident, critical illness, home, auto, prepaid legal).
• Supports the administration of absence management and associated programs, e.g. leaves of absence, PTO, short and long-term disability, federal, state and other related mandated programs.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable laws and regulations by monitoring regulatory changes, obtaining legal opinions, preparing and submitting government filings, coordinating plan amendments, and distributing legally required notices.
• Ensures accurate and timely processing of payroll deductions for respective area(s) and various benefit plans, resolving discrepancies and errors in benefit-related data.
• Supports accurate and timely processing of invoices for respective area(s), perform detailed reconciliation of invoices against benefit enrollment data to identify discrepancies and ensure accuracy. 
• Leads or supports key elements of the design, development, implementation and administration of assigned benefit programs, plans and processes. 
• Resolves data integrity issues through oversight and regular auditing of vendor error reports, benefit program data, benefit contributions and deductions, metrics and reports.
• Provides guidance to employees, managers, HR business partners and other stakeholders regarding eligibility, plan provisions, regulatory compliance and other matters related to benefit plans and programs.
• Provides timely responses to requests and questions regarding benefits, escalating complex issues as needed.
• Monitors weekly benefit file feeds and works with the HRIS/HRIT team and carriers to resolve any carrier file issues that arise. 
• Conducts benefits orientation sessions for newly benefits' eligible employees including the delivery of any/all print/online/pre-recorded presentations, publications, brochures, etc. 
• Establishes and maintains partnerships with third-party vendors and internal stakeholders to ensure programs and plans are accurately and efficiently administered.
• Supports the annual Open Enrollment period for benefits, including project coordination (example: employee engagement sessions, training, etc.), review and development of communications, validation of benefit plan set-up in benefit systems, testing, assisting employees with the election processes, and resolving escalations.
• Works closely with internal teams, external vendors, and other related stakeholders to optimize benefits offerings and deliver a positive employee experience.
• Stays abreast of emerging trends and provide analysis and recommendations.
• Supports COBRA administration.
• Assists with administering charitable gifts and employee anniversary programs.
• Enters benefit related information into HRIS according to established procedures.
• Assists in maintenance of benefits plan documents and communication materials (online and print).
• Ad hoc report preparation as needed.
• Leads and/or assists with other duties and special projects as required.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance or related field, and/or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of Employee benefits laws and regulations including COBRA, ERISA, HIPAA, ACA. and other federal and state regulations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of end-to-end open enrollment processes, vendor management, and benefits compliance. 
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PPT etc.)
• Working knowledge of HR Systems (e.g. Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday, BusinessSolver, etc).
• Expertise in benefits communication and employee education, including creating and delivering presentations and written materials.
• Ability to streamline and automate processes and improve efficiencies from beginning to end with minimal oversight.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to apply functional benefits knowledge to solve problems and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Proven track record of handling complex benefits programs, e.g., self-insured plans, benefits open enrollment and plan design changes and implementation.

Required Experience

• Minimum of 4 to 5 years benefits administration experience, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, leave administration, retirement plans, flexible spending accounts (FSA), Health Savings Accounts (HSA), and other employee welfare and ancillary programs.
  
  

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