SUMMARY  

The Senior Benefits Specialist oversees the full range of employee benefits, from enrollment to termination, ensuring accuracy and compliance with laws. This position will develop and implement innovative benefits strategies aligned with industry trends and budget considerations, as well as manage leave administration, vendor relationships, and compliance across federal, multi-state, and local regulations. Effective communication with employees is integral to the position and involves disseminating benefits information and providing guidance. The role will involve data analysis to assess program effectiveness, open enrollment planning, and proactive collaboration cross-functionally to integrate benefits with Talent processes seamlessly.

KEY OUTCOMES & RESPONSIBILITIES  

Key Outcome:  Seamless Benefits Administration

Key Responsibilities: 

• Manage all aspects of employee benefits administration, ensuring accuracy and compliance with laws and regulations.
• Manage benefits vendors such as insurance providers, retirement plan administrators, third party administrators. Reconcile claim reimbursements from carriers.  
• Plan and execute open enrollment periods, including coordinating communications, vendor attendance, conducting employee meetings, managing enrollment platforms, and ensuring accuracy of enrollment data. 
• Serve as a resource for employees regarding benefits-related questions, issues, and concerns. Resolve escalated inquiries and provide guidance on complex benefits matters.
• Conduct regular audits of benefits data to identify discrepancies and take corrective actions as necessary.

Key Outcome: Strategic Benefits Management 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Develop and implement strategies to enhance the organization's benefits offerings, considering industry trends and budget considerations. 
• Stay updated on federal, multi-state (list out states), and local regulations related to employee benefits, such as ERISA, DOL, IRS, ACA, NYS PFL and HIPAA. Ensure that benefits programs comply with all legal requirements. 
• Work closely with fellow Talent Team members, finance departments, payroll specialist, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless integration of benefits programs with other HR and business processes. 

Key Outcome:  Comprehensive Leave Management

Key Responsibilities: 

• Manage all aspects of employee leave programs, including vacation, sick leave, personal leave, parental leave, and other types of leave as per company policies and legal requirements. 
• Ensure precision in tracking, documenting, auditing, and reporting employee leave balances for accurate record-keeping take corrective actions as necessary.
• Collaborate with the Talent Team and Payroll to streamline leave approval processes, promptly addressing concerns to ensure accurate and timely processing of leave-related adjustments to employee pay.
• Stay abreast of changes in leave laws, ensuring ongoing compliance and alignment with company policies. Periodically review and update company leave policies to align with best practices and evolving legal requirements.
• Ensure confidentiality and sensitivity in handling leave-related matters, providing clear guidance to employees on leave policies and procedures, fostering understanding and clarity in communication. 

Key Outcome:  Effective Program Analysis and Communication

Key Responsibilities: 

• Analyze benefits utilization, costs, and employee feedback. Communicate information, guide employees, and collaborate for seamless program integration.
• Communicate benefits information to employees through various channels, including presentations, written materials, and online resources. Provide guidance and support to employees regarding their benefits options and choices.
• Analyze benefits utilization, costs, and employee feedback to assess the effectiveness of benefits programs. Use data insights to make recommendations for improvements or changes.
• Provide training to HR staff, managers, and employees on benefits-related topics, including new program offerings, changes in regulations, and best practices.
• Leverage technology solutions to streamline benefits and leave-related processes for increased efficiency.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field. 
• 5+ years of experience in benefits administration, with demonstrated expertise in designing and managing comprehensive benefits programs. 
• Strong knowledge of federal and state regulations governing employee benefits, including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, and COBRA. 
• Experience with HRIS/benefits administration software and platforms. 
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex benefits information to diverse audiences. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Proven ability to manage vendor relationships and negotiate contracts. 
• Detail-oriented, with a commitment to accuracy and compliance and ability to critically evaluate. 
• Team player, partner closely with payroll, understand tax implications of benefits. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Master's degree or relevant certifications (e.g., CEBS, PHR, SPHR) preferred.

CORE COMPETENCIES  

• CUSTOMER FOCUS/CLIENT INTIMACY: seeking to understand client business challenges/needs and delivering continuous value to our clients.  
• COLLABORATIVE: working with teams and across the organization with ease.
• OWNER AGILITY: able to continuously learn and quickly adapt to changing circumstance.  
• RESULTS DRIVEN: accepts accountability to deliver business outcomes, even under changing circumstances. Delivers on commitments.  
• DISCIPLINED: Thinks, plans, and prioritizes work on an ongoing basis, plans and aligns with key team members before acting

At Butler/Till, we take immense pride in our independent, women-owned and led status, our unwavering commitment to a purpose-driven approach, and our unique structure as a 100% employee-owned company.

Our dedication to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) is a cornerstone of our culture. We believe that the diversity and inclusivity of our workforce are sources of strength. As you become part of our community, you'll discover that we are dedicated to creating a positive impact, not only for our clients but also for the communities where we live and work.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work environment and physical demands characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job, typically in an office setting or in a home office. An employee in this role may be in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods and using office equipment and computers. The noise level in the office environment is usually moderate. (I.e., business office with computers and printers, light foot traffic, etc.). 

Reasonable accommodation may be requested to enable individuals to perform the essential functions. 

EEO DISCLAIMER

Butler/Till is an Equal Opportunity Employer to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. 

This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.