Senior Professional - Defined Contribution Benefits Admin

Leads oversight and administration of the DTE's Defined Contribution benefit plans. Analyzes plan documents and provisions to ensure accurate plan administration. Possesses a clear understanding of ERISA/DOL/and IRS provisions pertaining to benefit plans. Reviews processes to ensure compliance with administrative requirements and identifies any gaps for corrective action. Leads projects with vendors and business partners. Provides guidance to less experienced team members and contributes to other related areas of the organization.

• Consults with employees to address questions and concerns regarding benefits eligibility, plan provisions, and other matters related to their benefits.
• Ensures compliance with provisions of all benefits-related and all applicable HR legislation, as well as regulatory agency guidelines, with respect to program execution.
• Conducts highly functional level of data analysis to turn data into actionable items, gain process efficiencies and support finance related activity.
• Partners with vendors and legal counsel to ensure compliance with plans, identify and resolve administration issues, and develop and implement countermeasures to improve processes.
• Partners with vendors and unions to enhance participant education through presentations, workshops, and communication campaigns.
• Leads cross-functional projects, both internally and with outside vendors, to improve processes, address plan compliance issues, enhance the participant experience, etc.
• Provides input to leadership related to benefit plan design and both short- and long-term strategic plans
• Provides input into strategy development for labor negotiations regarding benefits
• Maintains research on industry best practices and provides guidance to other team members

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business, or related field
• Five years of experience in designing and/or administering benefit plans related to area(s) of responsibility (i.e., pension, 401k, health and welfare, etc.)

Preferred:

• Certified Employee Benefits Specialist with experience in Defined Contribution plans or 7-10 years of experience administering Defined Contribution plans.

Other Requirements:

• Ability to work within a team environment; cooperate with peers, leaders, and individual contributors involved with the team; strong interpersonal skills
• Working knowledge of laws and regulations affecting benefit administration, including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
• Ability to communicate well with others proficient verbal, nonverbal, written, and presentation skills
• Ability to accurately analyze various forms of data, and assemble findings in a report or graphic format
• Ability to utilize project management techniques and tools; accurately estimate, track, and manage project costs
• Ability to effectively communicate with all management levels of the Company.

Incumbents may engage in all or some combination of the activities and accountabilities, and utilize a variety of the competencies cited in this description depending upon the organization and role to which they are assigned. This description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents in this job. It is not intended as an all-inclusive list of accountabilities or responsibilities, nor is it intended to limit the rights of supervisors or management representatives to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.