Senior Benefits and Wellness Specialist

This is a Full Time Job

Benefits and Wellness Senior Specialist

Department: Human Resources

Reports To: Vice President – Human Resources

Job Classification: Non-Exempt

Description:

We are seeking a detail-oriented and empathetic Benefits and Wellness Senior Specialist to lead the administration and strategic evolution of the benefits program. This role will act as the first point of contact for all employees, serve as primary contact for vendors and third-party administrators, and will ensure our benefits remain competitive, compliant and deeply valued by our employees.

Primary Responsibilities:
• Oversee the design, administration and funding of a comprehensive benefits program, including a self-funded medical program, stop-loss insurance, an incentive-based wellness program, dental, vision, COBRA, disability, life, flexible spending accounts, retirement and auxiliary plans; continuously evaluate current benefit offerings and recommend changes as needed to ensure market competitiveness.
• Responsible for day-to-day support activities, including assisting employees with benefits-related questions and resolution of benefits matters, leading new hire benefits orientation, and processing participant enrollments and terminations.
• Ensure full compliance with benefits-related regulations and reporting obligations including both HIPAA and ERISA compliance.
• Lead annual benefits renewal and open enrollment process, including strategic plan design, financial analysis, communications, elections and audits.
• Oversee leave of absence program, including working with vendor to process and administer all leave of absence requests, disability paperwork, and requests for reasonable accommodations; effectively interpret FMLA and ADA implications as they relate to leaves of absence and disabilities and ensure employees on leave are compensated in accordance with relevant laws and policies.
• Act as primary relationship manager for all benefits-related vendors, tracking vendor performance and resolving escalated issues related to claims or service delivery.
• Research vendors and negotiate new contracts to secure optimal rates and services.
• Manage the day-to-day operations of our front office retirement benefit plans, including enrollment, contributions and related communications; coordinate annual audits, non-discrimination testing, and Form 5500 filings; serve as member of Investment Committee advising on plan details.
• Design and administer wellness programming, including policies and programs to help promote employees' physical, mental and/or financial health; analyze participation data to continuously improve such offerings.
• Monitor changes in federal, state and local laws related to compliance, benefits and leaves of absence and make updates as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience:
• Bachelor's Degree
• 5 years of comprehensive and progressive experience in benefits and leave of absence administration.
• Strong knowledge of employee benefits plans, including self-funded health insurance programs, stop-loss, retirement and wellness programs.
• Experience negotiating vendor contracts and managing benefits brokers and carriers.
• High level of discretion for handling confidential data and the ability to explain complex benefits in a comprehensible manner.
• Familiarity with federal and multi-state regulations and compliance affecting employee benefits.
• Experience with ADP a plus.
• Spanish-speaking a plus.
• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels, both internally and externally.
• High level of organization and attention to detail, with an ability to multi-task and strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

This description is intended to describe the type of work being performed by a person assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required of the employee.