Benefits Specialist

Key Relationships:

• North America Human Resources Leadership Team ( HRLT)

• North America leadership and colleagues

• Group Total Rewards Team

• Key suppliers, partners and consultants

• Relevant external associations

Job Summary:

 The Benefits Specialist will provide strong knowledge to the benefits function. This key role will lead a variety of benefit related activities to ensure that programs remain competitive and conform to the current philosophy of the organization. This position will drive the identification and prioritization of opportunities for improvement within Benefits processes and propose changes to achieve functional consistency  

The position will engage with key leadership positions to ensure that all program’s support business initiatives and cultivate a diverse, talented, and engaged workforce. The Benefits Specialist is part of a team that will support multiple areas in the benefits function and may vary based on line benefit programs.  The Specialist may lead  the overall implementation and execution of one or more programs, including but not limited to, health & welfare programs, leave, wellness, recognition, retirement and/or annual programs.  

This position will be responsible for establishing sound processes as it relates to Leave Administration and day-to-day benefit administration.  This position will focus on ensuring compliance to all benefit plan legislation by maintaining knowledge and understanding of ERISA, IRS regulations, the Affordable Care Act, and other Federal, State, and Local related legislation and provincial regulatory requirements. 

Key Performance Indicators: 

• Growth: Support benefit programs that enable the business to attract key talent 

• Budgets: Synergy benefit offerings and  delivery (People & Spend)

• People: Retention / Engagement / Enablement / Development 

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Analyzes, develops and continually advances benefit strategies to align with the business and ensure the right mix and offerings are available. 

• Serve as the key escalation point for the Benefits team.

• Benchmark to ensure the plans maintain comprehensive and competitive balance. 

• Ensure and manage compliance with all benefit plan legislation by maintaining knowledge and understanding of ERISA, IRS regulations, the Affordable Care Act, and other Federal, State, and Local related legislation

• Serves as the lead to launch, implement, and evaluate programs.

• Assess manual processes within the Benefits function and identify opportunities to automate or streamline work. 

• Operationalizes complex legal guidance and analyzes competitive market data for a benefits program

• Responsible for drafting Summary Plan Descriptions and coordinating reviews with Legal and HR. 

• Recommends short- and long-term benefits solutions (e.g., policy adjustments, program corrections, leveraging of existing solutions) to meet business need

• Understand regulatory and provincial regulations and plan design components.

• Demonstrated experience coaching and communicating a total rewards culture by collaborating closely with stakeholders and key business leaders. 

• Act as champion and change agent by supporting HR-related needs and identifying value-added services for the benefit of colleagues.

• Participates in meetings with external vendors to recommend programs that ensure the organization is positioned competitively and stays current on trends and changes in the market.  

• Able to interact with all levels in the organization and turn open questions into formulated responses.

• Other duties and projects as assigned

Required Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Human Resources or related fields, Master’s degree preferred.  In lieu of a Bachelor's degree 4 years in a progressive benefits role

• 3+ years of professional industry experience in the Benefits Field with a focus on H&W for large organizations

• Able to demonstrate sound knowledge of ERISA, ACA and Canadian Regulatory requirements

• Experience working with various Health & Welfare programs including 401k and Leave Administration

• SHRM-CP/PHR or CEBS certification preferred.

Required Leadership Traits and Characteristics:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a strong understanding of benefit  components and legal requirements

• Ability to interact and direct vendors and their services

• Ability to influence with data

• Demonstrable people management skills and the ability to lead a diverse team

• Strong communication skills 

• Good change management skills

Formal Education, Qualifications or Training:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field, Master’s degree preferred

• 3 years in a benefits role with progressive responsibility

• CEBS certification a plus

• Experience in the implementation, and administration of various types of benefit programs including health & welfare, and wellness.

• Ability to present detailed concepts and market considerations in an approachable way

• Excellent analytical and quantitative skills

• Experience in M&A projects, and/or integration projects is a plus

• Demonstrable working knowledge of health & welfare concepts, laws and regulations, and human resources systems and reporting tools

• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google applications, Workday experience preferred

• Strong oral and written communication skills