Senior Benefits Analyst

Senior Benefits Analyst

Under limited supervision, the Senior Benefits Analyst is responsible for enterprise-wide administration of LCS and LCS Community Employment's benefit plans, including health and welfare plans and any other employee benefit plans offered. As a senior member of the team, this role serves as a technical and analytical lead—owning benefits data integrity, carrier and vendor file reconciliation, system testing, and compliance reporting—and provides guidance to less-experienced team members.

At LCS, experience is everything. We provide you with 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:

• Monitor key processes, identify risks/issues, and coordinate with the applicable resources to resolve.
• Own and manage program compliance with applicable regulations, plan documents, and government reporting, including ACA (Forms 1094/1095), ERISA (Form 5500), HIPAA, and Section 125 nondiscrimination testing—in partnership with the Benefits Manager.
• Manage the annual benefit open enrollment processes including development and maintenance of project plans, communication, and system implementations (for both LCS Corporate and LCE Community Benefit Plan Administration.
• Serve as subject matter expert and respond to complex questions and issues from managers, team members, and employees while escalating cases as appropriate.
• Collaborate with team members to identify and lead process improvement and automation initiatives across all programs.
• Lead the preparation and review of benefit communications and manage enterprise-wide benefit communication and education plan.
• Serve as a system expert to troubleshoot, solve, and test technical issues as they arise.
• Perform ad hoc and recurring benefits data analysis to support decision-making, using SQL/HRIS reporting and Excel.
• Oversee new hire on-boarding process to ensure effective delivery of information and positive employee experience.
• Research current benefit trends and regulatory/legislated requirements and recommends programs/changes to the Benefit Manager.
• Manage carrier and vendor eligibility file feeds (EDI 834), including configuration, reconciliation, error resolution, and discrepancy tracking to ensure accurate enrollment data is delivered to carriers.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with carriers, vendors, and brokers; manage escalations and coordinate timely issue resolution.
• Create, execute, and maintain test plans and plan-specific data-validation checks for system and file changes, and document procedures in clear, repeatable processing guides.
• Mentor and provide guidance to less-experienced analysts, modeling best practices and reviewing work for quality across the team.
• Safeguard the confidentiality and integrity of employee personal data and protected health information (PHI) in accordance with HIPAA and company policy.
• Administer the organization's 401(k) plan, including eligibility, contributions, loans, distributions, and coordination with the recordkeeper and trustee.
• Manage the annual 401(k) plan audit and Form 5500 filing, serving as the primary liaison to auditors and ensuring timely, accurate completion.
• Provide oversight of the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation (NQDC) plan, ensuring accurate administration and regulatory compliance.
• Perform all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

What We're Looking For:

• Minimum of 5 years of benefits administration experience, including hands-on plan configuration and data analysis.
• Strong knowledge of health & welfare plans, retirement plans, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Experience with HRIS platforms and benefits administration systems (e.g., Workday, ADP, Oracle, Selerix or similar).
• Strong SQL or HRIS report-writing skills for querying, reconciling, and analyzing benefits data.
• Strong attention to detail and documentation skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Advanced Excel skills and the ability to interpret and present data clearly.
• Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to use discretion in working with sensitive and/or confidential information.
• Comfortable working independently, collaboratively as part of a team, and with changing priorities and with a customer-focused perspective while adhering to deadlines.

Preferred qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• CEBS, CBP, or similar benefits certification is a plus.
• Prior experience managing carrier/vendor eligibility file feeds (EDI 834) and data reconciliation.
• Project management experience or certification (PMP, PMI-ACP).

Why Join Us?

• Industry Leader.
• Inclusive & collaborative culture.
• Top Workplace USA.
• Top Workplace Iowa.
• Charity and community involvement.
• Outstanding advancement opportunities.
• Ongoing career development.

Benefits

Competitive 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 Commitment

LCS 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 Information

Travel frequency: 11-25%

Estimated Salary: $57,000 - $71,000

The 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 Identification 37054

Locations 400 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA, 50309, US