Benefits Clerk, Sr. jobs in Minneapolis, MN

Job Title: Sr Benefits Specialist

FLSA Status: Exempt

Department: HR

Reports to: Director, Comp and Benefits

GENERAL DESCRIPTION/PURPOSE:

The role is responsible for managing US and Canada employee benefit programs and vendor relationships. You'll support program design, analysis, and implementation, partnering with managers and employees to provide benefits expertise. This role aids in acquisition integration and ongoing growth, including benefit analysis, strategy alignment, and timeline development. You'll ensure data accuracy, integrity, and timely availability.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Leads the development of benefit philosophy and multi-year strategy
• Administer US and Canada employee benefit programs including program management, operations, governance, compliance, analysis, and employee communication activities
• Model and analyze cost, employee and administrative impacts of new benefits and updates to existing benefits
• Perform regular audits of benefits data to ensure integrity and compliance with management of such benefit programs in aligned with plan agreements. Manages 401(k) compliance testing and audit processes. Proactively resolve discrepancies in partnership with benefit brokers and vendors
• Proactively monitors, researches, and evaluates new and existing corporate benefit plans, programs, regulatory updates, and best practices to meet the organization's strategy
• Manage the benefit plan system set-up and data exchange process between Loram and its various vendors; serve as the primary contact with internal HRIS resources and vendors to resolve issues
• Coordinate, support, and participate in the Retirement Plan (401(k)) Retirement Committee meeting process
• Plan and coordinate benefit material updates and communications related to annual processes, important updates, benefit enhancements, open enrollment, and legal compliance
• Assist with various benefit survey benchmarking studies. Reviews survey results and provides recommendations on additions/deletions of the benchmark benefits
• Conducts open enrollment events, including all employees- on leave, retires and COBRA participants
• Coordinate benefit changes with internal & external resources
• Create/update benefit related policies and programs communications
• Create educational/communication tools for HR Partner usage
• Support plan mergers and new implementation initiatives
• Identifies system, data, and process improvements to increase efficiencies and productivity
• Determines and conducts North American eligibility and new hire benefits orientations and ensures the accuracy of all employee benefits enrollment data in the HRIS system and the required supporting documentation is filed in the appropriate HRIS and SharePoint files
• Builds and maintains effective relationships with benefits brokers and vendors, HR Partners, and employees
• Develops, updates, and maintains benefit plan Summary Plan Documents (SPDs) and ensures SPDs are available or distributed to employees as required
• Ensures compliance with all applicable laws and regulations for all benefits
• Manages and leads the audit and compliance of the US Retirement Plan and ensures compliance filings are completed on time and within laws and regulations
• Audits/reconciles benefit invoices and statements and ensures all invoices are accurate and paid on time
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES:

• Values Based
• Building Partnerships
• Problem Solving
• Action Oriented
• Work Standards
• Priority Setting

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: BA/BS degree or equivalent experience; Human Resources or Business Administration degree preferred.

Experience: 5 years' experience in Benefits strategy, design, communication, and administration.

• 3 years' experience with retirement plan administration
• 3 years' experience administering North America Benefits (Canada and US)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong analytical skills.
• Advanced Excel skills and proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong working knowledge of health and welfare benefit administration practices
• Working knowledge of 401(k) plans and related ERISA regulations
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders and build relationships at all levels of the organization.
• Must possess high level of discretion, tact, diplomacy, and professionalism.
• Must possess ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Excellent organizational skills, detail-oriented, a self-starter, possess critical thinking skills and be able to set priorities and function as part of a team as well as independently.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively with various audiences.
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills while exercising sound judgment.
• Ability to learn new technologies quickly.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience:

• Certified Employee Benefits (CEBS), Certified Benefits Professional (CBP), Group Benefits Associate (GBA) or similar designation. or Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR) or SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certification
• Working knowledge of Ceridian Dayforce

Licenses/Certifications:

• Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) or Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) or other benefits related certifications.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Office deskwork, requiring sitting, walking, using phone & computer.
• May lift up to 25 lbs. occasionally.
• 5% or less travel

Loram is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will make all employment-related decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

REV: October 2023

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