Benefits Analyst

Overview The Benefits Analyst is responsible for administration, analysis and strategic evaluation of employee benefits plans and programs (including health, dental, vision, life/ADD, disability and retirement), ensuring competitive offerings while maintaining compliance with federal and state regulations and managing costs effectively. Requires effective collaboration with firm leadership, plan brokers and vendors to assess and enhance employee benefits. Responsible for enrollment, eligibility, implementation and ongoing administration of employee benefit plans, including relationships with the firm's benefits broker and vendors. Audits benefits data to ensure HRIS and vendor data are consistent with participant eligibility and elections. Analyzes benefits data, costs, utilization and trends to identify opportunities for improvement, cost savings or program modifications, generating reports for collaboration with internal and external resources and stakeholders. Develops recommendations to address changing benefit needs of the employee population to ensure the firm's competitive position, ensuring the availability of flexible benefit options to meet the needs of employees across all firm locations. Produces thorough and accurate benefit communication materials with support and input from the benefits team, the benefits broker and vendors. Develops timely and targeted messages for employees to address specific program opportunities and timelines and supports employee education about benefit programs. Serves as a content creator and contributor for the firm's intranet, creating visually appealing and informative communications about employee benefit programs. Coordinates communication about benefit programs with firm leadership and Benefits Committee, preparing meeting materials and coordinating key meeting logistics. Serves as a subject matter expert on employee benefit programs. Responds to and resolves benefit inquiries on plan details, enrollments, status changes and claim issues. Engages with vendors to ensure employee concerns are resolved in a timely and equitable manner within the guidelines of the specific programs and plans. Monitors and interprets changes in benefits laws (ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, FMLA, COBRA) with input from legal counsel and benefits broker. Ensures adherence through regular audits. Prepares required federal/state/local filings, census requests, vendor/benefit assessments and other requested documents. Proposes, designs and implements wellness initiatives in collaboration with the HR services team, the broader HR team or other project teams. Demonstrates effective contributions to a collaborative team environment through clear communication, active and timely participation in shared projects and objectives, and support colleagues in achieving team and departmental goals. Uphold the highest standards of professional responsibility and ethics when handling sensitive data, diligently protecting confidential employee information in compliance with privacy regulations. Maintains a courteous, professional demeanor under stress and provides positive solutions during difficult situations. Keeps supervisor abreast of current issues and potential problems as they develop, suggests possible solutions and seeks advice as needed. Works on other special projects as necessary. Responsibilities Administration, analysis and strategic evaluation of employee benefits plans and programs (including health, dental, vision, life/ADD, disability and retirement), ensuring competitive offerings while maintaining compliance with federal and state regulations and managing costs effectively, and collaborating with leadership, brokers and vendors to assess and enhance benefits. Enrollment, eligibility, implementation and ongoing administration of employee benefit plans, including relationships with the firm's benefits broker and vendors; audits of benefits data to ensure HRIS and vendor data are consistent with participant eligibility and elections. Analysis of benefits data, costs, utilization and trends to identify opportunities for improvement, cost savings or program modifications; generates reports for collaboration with internal and external resources and stakeholders; develops recommendations to address changing benefit needs across all locations. Production of thorough and accurate benefit communication materials with input from the benefits team, broker and vendors; develops timely messages for employees and supports education about programs; acts as a content creator for the firm intranet. Coordination of communication about benefit programs with firm leadership and Benefits Committee, including preparation of meeting materials and logistics. Serve as a subject matter expert on employee benefit programs; respond to and resolve inquiries on plan details, enrollments, status changes and claim issues; engage with vendors to address concerns in a timely and equitable manner within program guidelines. Monitor and interpret changes in benefits laws (ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, FMLA, COBRA) with input from legal counsel and benefits broker; ensure adherence through regular audits; prepare required filings and requested documents. Propose, design and implement wellness initiatives in collaboration with the HR services team and other project teams. Contribute to a collaborative team environment with clear communication, timely participation in projects and support for colleagues to achieve team and departmental goals. Uphold high standards of professional responsibility and ethics when handling sensitive data and protect confidential employee information in compliance with privacy regulations. Maintain a courteous, professional demeanor under stress and provide positive solutions during difficult situations; keep supervisor informed of issues and potential problems with recommended solutions. Work on other special projects as necessary. Benefits Shook, Hardy & Bacon provides a competitive salary and comprehensive salary and benefits package for professional staff which includes medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, retirement plan with a generous contribution plan, and paid time off. #J-18808-Ljbffr