Employee Benefits Manager - Full-time / Part-time

POSITION TITLE: TOTAL REWARDS MANAGER

The Total Rewards Manager position is responsible for directing and planning the day-to-day operations of all compensation activities; such as merit process and procedures, survey data participation, job family and banding strategy and maintenance, specific tasks around specialized benchmarking and other compensation activities. The Total Rewards Manager will also own all group benefit programs (group health, dental, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, travel and accident plans, flexible spending plans, 403(b) plan, retirement plans and other benefits). Must have a strong working knowledge of all pertinent federal and local regulations, filing and compliance requirements (both adopted and pending) affecting employee benefit programs including: ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, Section 125, Workers Compensation, Medicare, Social Security and DOL requirements.

Investigate new compensation strategies, benefit programs, improve existing programs, supervise and monitor compensation & benefit administration and oversee vendors. Design employee benefit plans. Provide analytical and technical support in the delivery of the benefit programs.

The Total Rewards Manager understands and respects the sensitive nature of highly confidential information and can navigate complex situations and tasks in a discrete, effective and efficient manner. Strong proven analytical skills and experience updating and utilizing Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS).

Direction and guidance will be provided by the CHRO. The CHRO determines the expectations, goals, and projects assigned. Government regulations, company goals, contract directives and internal policies provide parameters to the Total Rewards Manager position.

DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:

Research and Develop

1. Research compensation tools, surveys, and vendors to identify those that present the best value.
2. Research employee benefit plans and vendors to identify those that present the best value.
3. Design, recommend and implement both compensation and benefit programs.
4. Assist in the management of the benefit plan renewal process.
5. Negotiate with vendors and/or broker for renewal and or contract project work.
6. Collect compensation survey and benefit experience data from available resources.
7. Recommend compensation strategies that most closely match On Loks philosophy and budgetary restrictions.

Administration: Design, Direct, Comply

1. Serve as primary contact for plan vendors and third-party administrators. Coordinate transfer of data to external contacts for services, premiums and plan administration. Work effectively to make sure the plans run smoothly. Investigate discrepancies and provide information in non-routine situations.
2. Evaluate and revise internal processes to reduce costs and increase efficiency. Document, and maintain administrative procedures for assigned compensation and benefit processes.
3. Develop long-range objectives regarding compensation strategies and benefit programs in conjunction with the HR team and vendor partners.
4. Ensure compliance with applicable government regulations and timeliness and accuracy of required filings.

Administration: Processing, Functional

1. Run the merit process, work with all levels of management to make sure timelines are adhered to and processing of pay changes is appropriately approved and verified.
2. Coordinate benefit processing & allocate group health/dental claims experience monthly & review quarterly.
3. Manage job descriptions, salary bands and survey participation for all jobs.
4. Enrollments, COBRA, terminations, changes, beneficiaries, disability, accident and death claims, rollovers, QDROs, QMCSOs, distributions, loans, hardships, compliance testing.
5. Implement and maintain databases and records. Prepare regular reports extracting data from the database.
6. Develop and maintain online forms.
7. Ensure the following are completed in appropriate fashion:
   1. Oversee the merit process, approvals, compensation data and file uploads.
   2. Oversee maintenance of employee benefit files and updating of employee payroll records, completing the tasks in the event others cannot.
   3. Process benefits changes. This includes filing, updating vendors, and processing changes through payroll. Ensure accurate/timely monthly invoicing of all benefit vendors to payroll specialist for cost allocation and then to accounts payable specialist for payment.
   4. Responsible to ensure that all benefit-related staff reimbursements and payroll deductions are processed in an accurate and timely fashion.
   5. Gather employee data and oversee the processing of monthly billings and the preparation of vouchers for payment of administrative fees for all group plans.
   6. Calculate and reconcile benefit vendor invoices against employee and organization payroll deductions.

Evaluate, Measure, Audit

1. Audit the accuracy and performance of functions performed by HR staff.
2. Analyze the current benefits, evaluating the usage, services, coverage, effectiveness, cost, plan experience, and competitive trends in benefits programs and identify the companys stance.
3. Perform plan audits.
4. Prepare, collect, and organize data for actuarial assessments. Review data in conjunction with actuarial evaluation task forces.
5. Survey industry trends. Complete compensation and benefit surveys and review information obtained from the results. Analyze complex information. Forecast trends and assist with future compensation or benefit designs. Develop specific recommendations for review by management.
6. Monitor administrative costs of benefit programs and recommend cost containment strategies including alternative methods for administration and funding. Prepare budgetary recommendations and assist in the monitoring, verifying and reconciling of budgeted funds.
7. Determine proper course of action to resolve escalated customer service issues. Interpret plan procedures and policies. Recommend and advise on benefit enhancements and changes. Refer strategic issues to CHRO. Position requires limited supervision and direction.

Customer Service, Communication, Training

1. Provide customer service support to internal and external customers.
2. Work with experts on communication tools to enhance understanding of the companys benefits package & merit process.
3. Oversee the design of and distribution of materials for benefit orientations, open enrollment and summary plan descriptions and any appropriate compensation program communications.
4. Create and conduct presentations using audiovisual tools including power point and videos.
5. Provide training and support to Human Resources staff at all locations.
6. With the direction of the CHRO, partner with insurance broker and outside legal counsel to prepare and execute benefit documentation such as original and amended plan texts, benefit agreements, insurance policies and required amendments to the staff manual. Instruct insurance carriers, trustees, and other administrative agencies outside the company to effect changes in benefit program.
7. Determine proper course of action to resolve escalated customer service issues. Interpret plan procedures and policies. Recommend and advise on benefit enhancements and changes.
8. Prepare and distribute annual benefit summary for staff. Conduct annual research on benefit summary options, coordinate with appropriate parties to compile/create appealing and easy-to-read summary for staff.
9. Coordinate benefit setup, deduction and compliance reporting issues with Information Systems, Human Resources and Finance/Payroll.
10. The ability to work as a team with Human Resources staff, outside vendors (such as Consultants, Brokers & Actuaries), Finance, Operations Managers, Legal and vendors on benefits issues is critical.

QUALIFICATIONS (knowledge, skills, abilities):

1. Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) and three to five years related Human Resources generalist with benefits or employee benefit administration experience required.
2. PHR and/or CEBS professional designations preferred; agreed upon certifications required within 2 years.
3. Project and team management/leadership skills and experience.
4. Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a team environment as well as with people at all levels within the organization.
5. Position requires limited supervision and direction.
6. Must be p ro-active, demonstrate initiative and take ownership of work.
7. Show strong organizational skills.
8. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
9. Excellent communication and organization skills are required.
10. Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously while working under pressure to meet deadlines.
11. Strong analytical skills; ability to understand, evaluate and make judgment on the proposals (RFPs).
12. Computer proficiency and technical aptitude proficient with MS Office suite, Ultipro and other substantially similar HR databases are required.
13. Capability of effective planning and priority setting.
14. Knowledge of benefit contract language.
15. Knowledge of compensation strategies.
16. Knowledge of company policies and procedures is preferred.
17. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
18. Must be willing to prepare documents in other languages, as needed for diverse employee base.
19. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
20. Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.
21. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
22. Ability to work in a fast-pace environment with high standards and multi-task.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of work performed. They are not considered as an exhaustive list of all job tasks performed. On Lok reserves the right to change job descriptions, work hours or work sites as required by the program.