Sr. Benefit Specialist - Corporate

Summary
The Sr. Benefits Specialist is responsible for supporting the planning, design, development, and administration of ADVICS Corporate Benefits programs. Performs as a liaison between the company Benefits Broker, Human Resources, and Senior Management teams of the ADVICS Group companies to ensure the effective communication and delivery of market competitive and cost-effective benefit programs and compensation systems supporting the company's business objectives. This position will provide benefits support and guidance to team members and management from all ADVICS Group companies.

Essential Job Responsibilities and Duties
1. Management and administration of group health benefits including the education of team members and managers in medical, Rx, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, employee assistance, wellness, EAP, FSA, HSA, and 401(k) programs, ensuring timely implementation and compliance with government regulations. This includes providing new hires with education and conducting company-wide education during annual open enrollments.
2. Manage the company leave policies such as Uniform Services Leave, FMLA, LOA and other types of medical leaves including coordination with our STD, LTD, and COBRA policies.
3. Monitor the effectiveness of all benefit programs through metrics, periodic audits and program reviews using available data, research, and analysis of best practices.
4. Propose new or enhancements to current plans/programs to maintain competitive and cost-effective benefit programs.
5. Review, with legal consultation, benefit documentation for execution such as original and amended plan language, benefit agreements, amendments, and insurance SPDs. Instruct insurance carriers, trustees, and other administrative agencies outside the company to effect changes in benefits program.
6. Assure prompt and timely company compliance with provisions of Employee Retirement Income Security Act or other government regulations. Supervise preparation of reports and applications required by law to be filed with federal and state agencies, such as Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor, insurance commissioners, and other regulatory agencies.
7. Review and analyze changes to state and federal laws pertaining to benefits and report necessary or suggested changes to management.
8. Coordinate company benefits with government sponsored programs where applicable.
9. Develop census data and solicit insurance companies for quotations. Evaluate quotations and make recommendations to management.
10. Develop company cost information for new plans and make recommendations to management concerning sharing of cost between employer and employee as well as recommended plan design changes.
11. Participate in strategy development and implementation of new benefit programs as needed. Ensure effective communications to support achievement of benefit objectives.
12. Serve as the main contact between broker, insurance carriers and the company.
13. Oversee both new hire enrollment, qualifying events, and annual open enrollment processes for the group.
14. Ensure effective systems are in place to resolve claim issues and insurance coverage questions for employees.
15. Responsible for accurate monthly premiums paid to insurance carriers and reconciliation of accounts.
16. Ensure systems are in place to accurately capture and process insurance deductions.

Other Responsibilities and Duties
1. Support Human Resources Management and Payroll as needed with LOA, benefits training, compensation reviews, and reporting.
2. Attend training on benefits related topics to stay abreast of changes.
3. Other special projects, tasks or duties as assigned by supervisor and/or management.

Work Environment and Physical Demands
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- The work is performed in a typical office setting. The work is mostly sedentary.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Open office environment exists.
- This position requires extensive verbal and written communication with others internal to the company and with external vendors and applicants.
- Required to work additional hours to meet deadlines, as necessary.

Equipment and Supporting Services
- Basic equipment needed includes a computer, phone, business cards and security badge.

Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Desired Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree in related field with 8 years progressive benefits experience.

Minimum Qualifications:
- A minimum of 5 years human resource administrative experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Skills:
- Thorough knowledge of all federal and state employment laws (COBRA, ERISA, ADA, HIPPA, FMLA).
- Strong statistical and analytical skills.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suites.
- Ability to manage multiple competing deadlines effectively and professionally.
- Skill in organization of large amounts of data, reports, presentations in an efficient and easily retrievable manner.

Certificates, Licensees, Registrations:
- CEBS certification preferred, but not required.