Job Description

Kumabe HR is partnering with a local organization to find a Corporate Benefits Manager.

Job Summary

This position will be responsible for managing the administration, serve as the primary key advisor and regulatory compliance of health, retirement and supplemental benefits plans. The position will be responsible for ensuring that the employee benefits programs are competitive and fair and as such will periodically perform industry surveys to determine the company's competitive position; develop, recommend, and implement approved, new, or modified plans and policies, and supervise/perform the administration of plans and programs. The position will be the key liaison with external vendors to assure effective administration, including compliance with federal law and state regulations. 

Essential Functions

Benefit Management

• Administers all employee benefits programs such as retirement 401(k), pension, medical, dental, vision, wellness, flexible savings accounts (Section 125), life insurance, long and short-term disability and voluntary benefit programs. 
• Accountable for compliance with all requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA); ensuring documentation and all other reporting requirements are completed and submitted timely. 
• Partners with Leave and Wellness Specialist on wellness initiatives in order to control costs for overall benefit programs. 
• Partners with Director of Human Resource & Labor to provide oversight for H&W and Pension plans during union negotiations. 
• Participates in the Pension and Retirement Plan Committee meetings. Retains committee records and any follow up action items specific to the organization’s action items and special projects. 
• Evaluates benefit programs and in working with senior management, consultants and legal counsel develops recommendations to maintain the organization’s objectives and competitive position in the marketplace. Participates in benefit surveys. 
• Researches and recommends changes to ensure the plan design(s) and administration is in compliance with applicable government regulations. 
• Develops and maintains official plan documents and administration process documentation. 
• Evaluates and revises internal processes to reduce costs and increase efficiency. 
• Manages plan administration to assure processes are complete, accurate and timely. 
• Coordinates transfer of data to external contacts for services, premiums, and plan administration such as processing of participant changes, invoices for payment and review/approve loans. Investigates discrepancies and provides information in non-routine situations. 
• Serves as primary liaison for plan vendors and third-party administrators and coordinates with HR, Payroll, Finance and other departments for effective program administration and special projects. 
• Manages the benefit plan renewal process. Coordinates with consultants and vendors to develop recommendations that assure maximum coverage at the least possible cost to company and employee. 
• Manages annual and non-routine plan audits, including the development of the qualified financial statements for the 401(k) and pension plans. Assures timeliness and accuracy of required filings. 
• Owns and updates the company benefit policies, plan documentation and participant materials. 
• Maintains pension plan participant database and records, including retirees, beneficiaries and vested terminated participants. 
• Investigates and coordinates resolution to agency inquiries, claims and audits. 
• Responds to employee questions and resolves issues. Mediates between benefit 
• providers and employees to resolve matters within plan parameters and recommends exceptions for Director’s approval. 
• Assists in preparation of department budget by providing benefit program costs and projections.
• Conduct new employee benefits orientations to promote a positive onboarding experience. 
• Staying abreast of trends and recommend changes. 
• Provides administrative functions such as preparing and approving invoices, auditing census data, and data entry. 

Communications 

• Directs the preparation and distribution of written and verbal information to inform employees of benefits, compensation, and personnel policies. 
• Develops employee and retiree communications, tools, and materials. 
• Conducts individual and group compensation and benefit orientations. 
• Maintains the functional sections of the employee web-portal. 
• Distribute monthly benefits newsletter/announcements/tips to employees 
• Stays connected with employees and business leaders in order to maintain and understanding of issues, attitudes, and needs. 
• Coordinates Total Compensation Statements annually. 

Human Resources Information System (HRIS) 

• Participates in managing any conversion and/or update to migrating to an online benefits platform. 
• May lead or participate in system conversions, changes, and development. 
• Develops ad hoc reports for compensation, benefits and leave of absence needs. 
• Performs data entry of personnel/benefits data in the HRIS system. 

Supervisory and Leadership of Staff 

• May lead project teams and manage to deadlines. 
• Effectively communicates functional goals and objectives. 
• Team player and provides direction and leadership to achieve company Core Values, Mission and Safety Vision. 
• May oversee the work of others to accomplish functional tasks. Provides mentorship and guidance for their development and effective results. 

Other Duties 

• Leads when assigned and participates in the planning and implementation of cross-functional special projects, such as total compensation statements, mergers and acquisitions, and reorganizations. 
• Performs special duties and other projects as assigned. 
• Adheres to all company policies. 
• Accomplishes all tasks as appropriately assigned or requested. 

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of all pertinent federal, state, and local regulations, both adopted and pending, affecting employee benefit programs, as well as filing and compliance requirements. 
• Knowledge of employment and labor law and applicable regulatory compliance (i.e., FLSA, DOL, EEO/AA, FMLA, ADA, NLRB, OFCCP). 
• Knowledge of benefit plan and service contract provisions and documentation. 
• Knowledge of accounting and payroll processes to support compensation and benefit administration.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment with associates as well as independently.
• Demonstrated capability of effective planning and priority setting. 
• Ability to meet deadlines and handle stressful situations gracefully. 
• Ability to organize workload, prioritize and manage several diverse & complex projects simultaneously. 
• History of initiating and managing short range and long-range planning and projects (monthly, quarterly, annually, as well as three to five years). 
• Strong analytical skills and a high level of attention to detail given the high level of corporate exposure and liability associated with the benefit plans and human resource compliance.
• Ability to understand, evaluate and make judgment on the proposals (RFP’s). 
• Computer proficiency and technical aptitude with the ability to utilize MS Word, Excel, Power Point, and Access, are required. ADP experience preferred. 
• Strong ability to communicate well with all levels and personalities as well as deliver presentations to large and small groups. Frequent inside and outside contact with employees, consultants, brokers, and vendors 
• Ability to develop and maintain strong positive working relationships with providers and employees in resolving questions and concerns. 
• Demonstrated high level of discretion and sensitivity in daily and continuous handling of confidential employee information. 
• Ability to travel as necessary 
• Ability to work independently 

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of seven (7) years progressively responsible Human Resources experience
• At least five (5) years of experience administering compensation and benefits programs
• Minimum three (3) years of experience managing and supervising work through others, including project management
• Must have experience leading compensation and benefits design changes. 
• Must have strong knowledge and experience managing Pension and 401(k) plans. 
• Demonstrated track record of effective written and verbal communication, prioritization, analytical skills and discretion. 
• Bachelor’s degree, in Human Resources, Business or a related field preferable or equivalent experience required. 
• SHRM-SCP, SPHR, GPHR, PHR, CCP, CCB or CEBS certification required. 
• Experience understanding and working with Union Trust benefits helpful. 

Physical/Mental Demands

• Ability to work in a normal office environment
• May be required to work more than a normal workweek, including weekends.
• Travel may also be required. 
• Regular and predictable attendance is a requirement. 
• Frequently required to sit; use hands or fingers; handle or feel; talk and hear. 
• Ability to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. 
• May occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Must be able to move between buildings, ascend/descend stairs and go outdoors in all kinds of weather. 
• Required vision abilities include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. 
• Requires aptitude to be accurate and detail oriented and have strong mathematical aptitude.