Sr. Benefits Specialist

Senior Benefits AnalystAirbus Commercial is looking for an Senior Benefits Analyst to join our Human Resources team. This position is open to the following business locations: Herndon, VA, Mobile, AL or Wichita, Kansas.Are you a benefits professional who thrives on balancing precise plan compliance with an exceptional employee experience? Unical Aviation, Inc., in partnership with the broader Airbus network in the United States, is seeking an analytical and collaborative Senior Benefits Analyst.In this role, you will serve as the internal subject matter expert for our US employee retirement, health, and welfare benefit plans. Partnering closely with your Total Rewards colleagues, you will directly influence plan design, streamline system implementation, and ensure top-tier service delivery. If you enjoy solving complex plan challenges, managing key vendor partnerships, and driving regulatory excellence, this role offers an incredible platform to make a meaningful impact.Your Working Environment:The Washington, D.C. metro area is home to multiple Airbus offices: In our nation's capital you will find the Airbus Experience Center, a collection of interactive, multimedia exhibitions highlighting the extensive role the company plays in the aviation, aerospace and defense industries in the U.S. and around the world. The D.C. area is also home to our regional corporate headquarters – located adjacent to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) - it makes flying in a breeze!How We Care for You:Financial Rewards: Competitive base salary, incentive compensation which may include profit sharing schemes, retirement savings plan and the ability to participate in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP")Work/Life Balance: Paid time off including personal time, holidays and a generous paid parental leave program.Health & Welfare: Comprehensive insurance coverage including medical (traditional and high-deductible health plans), prescription, dental, vision, life, disability, Employee Assistance Plan ("EAP") and other supplemental benefit coverages.Individual Development: Upskilling and development opportunities through our global Leadership University, including unlimited access to 10,000+ e-learning courses focusing on ways to develop your employability, certifications, career path as well as the opportunity to participate in accelerated development programmes and both national and international mobility.Your Challenges:Plan Administration, Operations & Communication: 50%Subject Matter Expertise: Serve as the internal expert on plan operations, facilitating accurate benefit delivery in strict accordance with plan contracts and provisions.Leave of Absence Management: Supervise the Leave of Absence process; act as the central liaison between third-party providers, internal HR Business Partners/Specialists, and employees regarding FMLA, STD, and LTD requests.Advanced Problem Solving: Research complex plan issues, diagnose root causes, and develop fully documented, actionable alternative solutions.Open Enrollment Leadership: Support annual Open Enrollment by reviewing/editing communications, coordinating timelines, validating system architectures within the benefit portals, and assisting with employee elections.Data & System Integrity: Maintain employee benefits portals, audit HRIS data to ensure precise benefit contributions and payroll deductions, and monitor new hire processing.Strategic Communications: Review and distribute critical employee benefit communications and required plan documents in adherence to the controlled group's terms.Compliance & Regulatory Oversight: 35%Audit & Testing Management: Facilitate annual audits and non-discrimination testing for retirement plans, health and welfare plans, and annual Affordable Care Act (ACA) filings.Regulatory Reporting: Serve as the primary point of contact for external plan auditors, preparing all necessary data for Form 5500 filings, control group testing, and annual wrap document updates.Process Optimization: Identify and document structural improvements to compliance workflows to seamlessly track legislative mandates, new regulations, or organizational restructurings.Corrective Action Leadership: Act as the project leader for plan compliance correction processes and coordinate direct responses to external government and accounting audits.Vendor Alignment: Ensure vendor, carrier, record-keeper, and advisor service delivery strictly aligns with compliance standards and contractual plan terms.Internal Education: Inform and educate internal HR colleagues regarding upcoming regulatory updates and required compliance actions.Financials, Benchmarking & Special Projects: 10%Financial Management: Oversee vendor relationships, purchase orders, invoices, and payments tied directly to the benefits and compensation budget.Budget Tracking: Monitor benefits payments to ensure timeliness, build monthly budget-to-actual reconciliations, and partner with the Senior Manager of Benefits to establish annual funded purchase orders.Market Benchmarking: Complete benefit surveys and localized benchmarking analyses to keep company offerings highly competitiveOther duties as assigned: 5%Your Boarding Pass:Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, a related field, or equivalent professional experience.6+ years of progressive experience in corporate employee benefits administration and communications.3+ years acting as a dedicated subject matter expert focused on benefit plan administration and compliance—specifically qualified (defined benefit/defined contribution), nonqualified retirement plans, and health/welfare plans.Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) designation is strongly preferred.Working knowledge of federal, state and local employment law, and HR regulations.Demonstrated ability to manage stakeholder expectations.Experience with HRIS tools like ADP, Workday or SAPTravel RequiredUp to 5% domestic and international.CitizenshipAuthorized to Work in the USPhysical RequirementsOnsite 80%Remote 20%Vision: Daily able to see and read computer screen and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents, reports and engineering drawings.Hearing: Daily able to hear to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds on production floor including safety warnings or alarms.Speaking: Daily able to speak in conversations and meetings, deliver information and participate in communications.Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): Daily able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment and some tools including production tools such as hydraulic lifts.Carrying: Several times a week able to carry documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs.Lifting: Several times a week able to lift documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs.Pushing / Pulling: Several times a week able to push and pull small office furniture and some equipment and tools.Sitting: Daily able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on computer.Squatting / Kneeling: Several times a month able to squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items stored on low shelving.Standing: Daily able to stand for discussions in offices or on production floor.Travel: Rarely able to travel independently and at short notice.Walking (include routine walking such as to a shared printer to retrieve documents): Daily able to walk through office and production areas including uneven surfaces.Appropriate hearing/eye protection may also be required when visiting the shop floorSalary range:Salary range based on the required profile: $98000 - $125000 Actual minimum and maximum may vary based on geographic differential. Individual pay is based on skills, experience, and other relevant factors. This position offers the following benefits: Medical insurance, Dental insurance, Vision insurance, Prescription insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Basic & Voluntary Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance, Short and Long-term Disability insurance, 401(k), Paid time off including paid holidays, Tuition Assistance, Bonus(es) subject to performance criteria. These are our current benefit offerings for the current plan year and are subject to change without notice.Take your career to a new level and apply online now!A full job description will be provided to candidates who progress to the interview stage or any candidate upon request.This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment