People & Culture, Senior Benefits Administrator

People & Culture Senior Benefits Administrator

Reporting to the National Benefits Manager, the People & Culture Senior Benefits Administrator is responsible for the day-to-day administration of BDO's benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, long-term care (LTC), flexible spending accounts (FSA), workers' compensation, retirement plans, COBRA, etc.) and policies in alignment with the firm's Total Rewards Strategy, while providing excellent client service.

Job Duties:

• Administers the day-to-day operations of the firm's benefits programs including medical, dental, vision, flexible spending (FSA), disability, life insurance, group legal, QTE transit/parking, worker's comp programs, COBRA etc.
• Assists in researching and benchmarking all benefit programs and vendors to identify any gaps including those that present the best service and value
• Assists with administration of the retirement plans including 401k and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Evaluates internal processes and identifies ways to reduce costs, increase efficiency and enhance employee experience
• Ensures compliance with all applicable government regulations (ERISA, DOL, HIPAA, CMS, IRS SEC 125, ACA etc.) including timeliness and accuracy of required reporting, postings, documents, responses to requests, notifications. etc.
• Administers maintenance of benefit files/records of employee, principal, COBRA and retiree records in the benefits system, including file transfers to payroll and third-party vendors
• Administers payment of administrative invoices and fees for all group benefit plans
• Performs and participates in benefit plan audits as needed
• Collaborates with others on benefits and leave of absence (LOA) team on special projects, such as new/changes to systems, expansions, etc.
• Provides excellent client service support to internal and external clients including assisting employees, principals, COBRA participants and retired principals, along with dependents regarding any benefits questions and concerns. This includes investigating claim issues, discrepancies, notifying National Benefits Director and may involve contacting our OGC, broker/benefits vendors on behalf of our clients until resolution is reached.
• Provides training and support to benefits, LOA, wellness and well-being programs to our People & Culture team members
• Assists with designing and maintaining benefits communication materials, forms and information for employees, principals, COBRA participants and retired principals (SPDs, open enrollment, expansion, portal, general topics, newsletters, mailings) to promote BDO's Total Rewards package
• Administers facilitating the annual open enrollment process and new enrollment process for expansion firms. This includes travel to incoming expansion firms prior to and post effective date
• Ensures legal compliance with record retention, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, ACA, SEC 125, Workers Compensation, Medicare, Social Security and DOL requirements
• Assists the National Benefits Manager and analyst with ACA tracking, reporting and corrections
• Additional responsibilities as required
• Provides assistance as needed with Supervisory Responsibilities for benefits and LOA
• Travel requirement: approximately 10%
• Other duties as required

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree, required

Experience:

• Three (3) or more years of benefits administration experience, required
• Experience with self-insured health care plans, required
• Strong understanding of all pertinent federal and state regulations, filing and compliance requirements both adopted and pending affecting employee benefit programs, including ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, ACA, SECTION 125, ACA, Workers Compensation, Medicare, Social Security and DOL requirements required
• Project and team management/leadership skills and experience. Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment with associates. Capable of effective planning and priority setting. Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously while working under pressure to meet deadlines, required
• Prior experience with administration of leaves of absences (LOA), preferred

License/Certifications:

• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP or CEBS, preferred

Software:

• Computer proficiency and technical aptitude with the ability to use Microsoft Office applications, database systems and Oracle platform for core and BSwift for benefits, required

Language:

• N/A

Other Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong analytical skills and a thorough knowledge of benefit contract language and plan designs. Ability to understand, evaluate and make judgment on proposals
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, client service and organization skills
• Solid organizational skills with the ability to meet project deadlines with a focus on details
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills along with attention to detail
• Ability to multi-task while working independently or within a group environment
• Ability to work in a demanding, deadline-driven environment and handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Capacity to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external clients
• Capable of maintaining confidential information and matters with discretion, including legal compliance with HIPAA
• Strong understanding of applicable federal and state regulations BDO firm wide governing leave of absences
• Strong working knowledge of HR policies and practices
• Ability to communicate with all levels of leadership while providing a high level of customer service and confidentiality
• Ability to adapt communication style to successfully convey messages and objectives to diverse audience

Individual salaries that are offered to a candidate are determined after consideration of numerous factors including but not limited to the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and geography. National Range: $75,000 - $86,000 Maryland Range: $75,000 - $86,000 NYC/Long Island/Westchester Range: $75,000 - $86,000