Benefits Analyst recruitment

Title:  Benefits Analyst

STATUS:  Non Exempt

BUSINESS UNIT: Human Resources                                                                                           

Location: Chicago

POSITION SUMMARY:                                                                          

This position has primary responsibility for daily/ongoing benefits administration for US and Canada employee populations, primary responsibility for all payroll/vendor/benefit portal data base and systems management, including data audits, review and improvements. Responsibility to ensure high quality service is provided to all employees and benefit plan participants. Partners with internal and external vendors and stakeholders in support of renewals/audits/vendor review and works on special projects as assigned.

DAY-TO-DAY RESPONSIBILITIES:      

• Serve as primary point of contact with benefits related vendors (including but not limited to 401k/health/dental vision/life/disability/ Flexible Spending/Transit/COBRA/ EAP/Benefits portal/Broker Consultant) for management of data base/IT-related systems, including accuracy of feeds, functionality, corrections maintenance, changes.                                                      Also analyze lead implementation of systems modifications, enhancements and improvements.  

• Responsible for ongoing/regular, accurate audits of three aspects of data (carriers : benefit portal: payroll system), and resolution of issues related to new hires, changes, terminations, life events, open enrollment, special programs

• Coordinate all Canadian benefit plan transactions and data

       for all enrollments/changes/terminations, ensuring data 

       match between benefit carrier and ADP Canada payroll,

       accuracy in taxable benefit information and timely/accurate

       retirement plan transactions, funding and vendor data     

• Ensure new hires receive benefits orientation (in person for Chicago office employees), and partner with HR Business partners for consistent plan enrollment information.     Ensure accurate processing of all new hire benefits and respond to/resolve any post-orientation matters.

• Research and respond to employee inquiries on benefits (from all sources); coach and educate employees on utilizing benefits self-service facility

• Serve as Absence Management coordinator, including communications  and coordination/administration of  Leave of Absence, FMLA, STD and LTD, in partnership  with employees/management/HR Business partners/involved vendors        

      Serve as liaison in the outsourcing of external

      Leave Management functionality to Disability carrier ,

• Partner with Benefits accountant to ensure timely review/approval of all benefit related vendor invoices, wires for self-funded plans; perform 401k reconciliations for semi monthly payroll cycles.                         

• Responsible for 401k-related payroll/funding and all related transactions/adjustments.

• Responsible for process for annual employer contribution and

      profit sharing (when applicable), including calculation,

      funding, account updates.  

• Manage matching gift program.

• Initiate, facilitate Workers’ Compensation Claims, including all follow up with employees and Workers’ Comp carrier                                               

• Coordinate all legal and regulatory filings  processes

       Including Forms 5500s, Independent 401k Audit, SARs, SPD

     distribution, state filings, 1099s and other requirements.                 

• Serve as analyst for review/renewals of Corporate Insurance, including but not limited to Workers Compensation, International Workers’ Compensation, Business Travel and Accident, Employee Liability Practices, Fiduciary Liability Insurance, providing data and application information to external Risk brokers. 

• Serve as coordinator for all internal and external audits, including quarter PERSUS audits, and annual 401k audit as part of Federal Form 5500 filing.

• Support Annual benefit renewal process, including data reporting as required, and support annual benefits open enrollment including meeting facilitation, benefit portal management and employee support and service.

• Support  overall benefits communication including    

             update/ maintenance of Intranet documents, online enrollment             

             portal information, mailings (paper and electronic)

• Create/maintain/revise benefits procedures to ensure current, consistent administration and business continuity

• Maintain the benefits filing system (employee benefit files, plan/vendor specific files, compliance data, 5500's,)    

• Other duties or projects, as assigned.   

EXPERIENCE:

Knowledge:     

• Strong benefits and insurance knowledge bases

• Very strong capabilities working with benefit vendor and enrollment databases

• Strong benefits compliance knowledge base

• General knowledge of GAAP principles and their application

Technical Skills:         

• Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Office Excel including solid knowledge of Pivot tables for high volume data comparison and audit, proficient Word, PowerPoint and Access skills.  Candidate will be tested on Excel skills as part of interview.

• Capability of working with multiple data bases for all aspects of benefits reporting and administration (e.g. – BenefitSolver Online Portal/ADP Payroll/benefit Vendor systems)

Competencies:

• Strong analytic skills to effectively troubleshoot,   resolve/improve/change systems and processes

• Adaptable, absorbing new information quickly

• Organized, deadline-driven, and attentive to detail

• Ability to work effectively in a team environment, partnering with both internal and external team members

• Excellent customer service capabilities

• Effective  vendor management and relationship skills

• Strong writing and communication capabilities

• Ability to multi-task/work with multiple competing deadlines

• Ability to work independently and exercise independent judgment

• Ability to maintain confidentiality within Human Resources/Human Capital settings

• Ability to operate within HIPAA requirements for PHI (Personal Health Information)

QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience Needed:    

Minimum 3-4 years’ benefits administration and analysis

Experience with ADP payroll highly preferred; experience with

WorkDay a plus

Experience with benefit carrier/vendor data bases, websites, systems, functionality

Customer service experience in relatively technical setting

Educational Requirements:     

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, in human resources or equivalent experience. 

Understanding of GAIP

Coursework toward CEBS a plus

                                            

                                            

Analytical Requirements:        

Able to troubleshoot, problem solve, and meet or exceed established deadlines

Ability to identify and resolve discrepancies in data

Supervisory Responsibility:   None

Licenses:         N/A                                                                                                                                  Initial and ongoing  coursework toward CEBS designation or similar continuing education through benefits-related professional association desirable, or work toward advanced degree in HR/Business

Participation in benefits-related professional training and meetings/updates/legislative and regulatory education and training

CUSTOMERS:                              

External:

Vendor Account Executives support teams, external brokers, consultants and auditors,  and government/regulatory agencies

Internal:                                

US and Canada employees (all levels) and managers, Payroll, HR Business Partners, Accounting and Finance Teams