Senior Benefits Analyst

Senior Benefits AnalystAs a Senior Benefits Analyst at LCS, you'll play a key role in supporting and enhancing the benefits programs that serve our employees across the organization. You'll combine your expertise in benefits administration, data analysis, and problem solving to help ensure our programs are effective, competitive, and easy for employees to navigate.You will have the opportunity to support the administration and delivery of the organization's health and welfare, retirement, and leave programs. This role serves as a benefits and systems subject matter expert, using strong analytical, technical, and problem-solving skills to ensure accurate plan administration, regulatory compliance, data integrity, and effective employee support. The Senior Benefits Analyst partners across HR and with vendors to resolve complex issues, support open enrollment and benefit initiatives, improve processes, and deliver a positive employee benefits experience.Experience is Everything.At LCS, experience is everything. We provide you the opportunity to use your talents in a progressive, growing organization that makes a positive difference in the lives of the seniors we serve. If you are seeking an organization that gives back, you'll love working here. Our principles and hospitality promises define our company culture. LCS employees can be found participating in volunteer activities, getting involved in our committees or collaborating with team members in our innovative workspace. You'll find several opportunities to grow as a professional, serve the community, and enhance the lives of seniors.What You'll Do:Manage the day-to-day administration of health and welfare, retirement, and leave programs, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant delivery of benefits.Monitor key benefits processes, identify risks and issues, and coordinate with internal and external partners to drive timely resolution.Partner with the Benefits Manager to support compliance with applicable regulations, plan documents, and government reporting requirements, including ACA, ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, Section 125, and applicable IRS requirements.Manage annual benefits open enrollment activities, including project planning, system configuration and testing, communications, enrollment support, and post-enrollment reconciliation for corporate and community benefit plans.Administer the organization's 401(k) plan, including eligibility, contributions, loans, distributions, and coordination with the recordkeeper and trustee.Provide oversight and administrative support for the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation (NQDC) plan, ensuring accurate plan administration and compliance.Administer and support time-away-from-work programs, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, PWFA, parental leave, short- and long-term disability, and applicable company and state leave programs in partnership with Human Resources and third-party administrators.Manage carrier and vendor eligibility file feeds, including EDI 834 configuration, reconciliation, error resolution, and discrepancy tracking to ensure accurate enrollment data.Process and reconcile health and welfare vendor invoices, investigate discrepancies, and partner with vendors, Payroll, Finance, and Accounting to support accurate and timely payment.Maintain accurate billing, reconciliation, testing, and audit documentation to support financial reporting, internal controls, compliance, and effective plan administration.Develop and manage benefit communications and education initiatives, including benefit guides, FAQs, orientations, webinars, training materials, and other resources that promote employee understanding and engagement.Build and maintain strong relationships with benefit carriers, vendors, brokers, and internal partners, managing escalations and coordinating timely resolution of service and administration issues.Research benefit trends and monitor relevant federal and state regulatory developments, recommending updates to programs, policies, procedures, communications, and administrative practices.Identify and lead process improvement, automation, and data-quality initiatives that enhance efficiency, accuracy, compliance, and the employee experience.Support acquisitions, benefit transitions, vendor implementations, and other enterprise initiatives through requirements gathering, testing, communications, enrollment coordination, data validation, and post-implementation support.Develop and maintain clear, repeatable procedures, processing guides, and documentation to promote consistency, knowledge sharing, and effective controls.Mentor and provide guidance to less-experienced analysts, sharing best practices and reviewing work to promote accuracy and quality across the team.Safeguard confidential employee information and protected health information (PHI) in accordance with HIPAA, applicable regulations, and company policies.What We're Looking For:2–4 years of benefits administration experience, including hands-on experience with plan configuration, data analysis, and reconciliation.Strong knowledge of health and welfare plans, retirement plans, and applicable benefits regulations.Experience working with HRIS and benefits administration systems.Strong reporting and analytical skills, including experience querying, reconciling, and interpreting benefits data.Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel with the ability to analyze and clearly present complex data.Strong attention to detail with demonstrated documentation, organizational, and problem-solving skills.Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a customer-focused approach.Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively in a fast-paced, changing environment.Ability to work independently and collaboratively across teams and with internal and external partners.Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive employee and benefits information.Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.CEBS, CBP, or other relevant benefits certification preferred.Experience managing carrier and vendor eligibility file feeds, including EDI 834 files, data reconciliation, and error resolution preferred.Experience with vendor billing, benefits invoice reconciliation, payroll deduction research, and related financial controls preferred.Experience administering leave and disability programs, including FMLA, ADA, PWFA, and applicable state leave requirements preferred.Knowledge of COBRA administration, wellness programs, and third-party leave administration preferred.Project management experience or relevant certification, such as PMP or PMI-ACP preferred.Why Join Us?Industry Leader.Inclusive & collaborative culture.Top Workplace USA.Top Workplace Iowa.Charity and community involvement.Outstanding advancement opportunities.Ongoing career development.BenefitsCompetitive pay, great benefits and vacation time. We are an equal opportunity employer with benefits including medical, dental, life insurance, disability, 401(K) with company match and paid parental leave.Our CommitmentLCS creates living experiences that enhance the lives of seniors. You'll see this commitment in our people. They're talented, dedicated professionals who truly care about residents, with each conducting his or her work with integrity, honesty, and transparency according to the principles of LCS. We strive to help every community succeed—strengthening available resources, establishing proven practices that lead to long-term growth and value for those living in, working for, and affiliated with the community.Additional InformationTravel frequency: 10-25%Estimated Salary: $66,000 - $82,000The actual title & salary will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, and other relevant factors.A POST-OFFER BACKGROUND CHECK, INCLUDING REFERENCES IS REQUIRED.LCS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.Job InfoJob Identification 40342Job Category HealthcareDegree Level Some CollegeJob Schedule Full timeLocations 400 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA, 50309, US