BENEFITS DIRECTOR
SUMMARY
Working independently, the Benefits Director is responsible for the planning, design, development, and administration of employee benefit plans across the organization. This role is also responsible for financial analysis and impact assessments of plan components and regulatory/ legislative compliance. An employee in this position will interface regularly with HR and Finance colleagues and all levels of business partners to ensure plans and resultant plan communications continue to be a strong factor in attracting, retaining, and rewarding employees. This position will also implement strategies and programs that support the company's strategic goals in a cost-effective manner.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES*
Directs, leads and manages the Company’s total benefits program by performing the following duties personally.
Understand and communicate the implications of the ACA for the Company administered funds; in addition to administrating the regulatory requirements and measurement periods for tracking expected FT status of employees.
Ensure company compliance with all government laws and regulations to include ERISA, COBRA, ADAAA, FMLA, HIPAA, ACA, etc.
Monitors monthly costs of plans. Prepares annual cost analysis of benefits as a percent of payroll. Develops specifications for new plans or modifies existing plans. Develops company cost information for new plans and makes recommendations to management concerning sharing of cost between employer and employee.
Manage the annual renewal of benefits and ensure that the renewals process is communicated effectively. Includes facilitation of annual benefits pricing and design effort or periodic plan reviews in partnership with our broker and carriers.
Facilitate annual RFP process for all benefit plans such as 401(k), medical, dental, vision, life insurance, STD, LTD, EAP, patient advocacy services, FSA, stop loss for self-insured plans, and wellness programs.
Design, implement, and maintain unique and competitive benefits packages.
Plans and directs the implementation and administration of employee benefit programs such as health insurance, disability insurance, life insurance, employee assistance, retirement, leave of absence, and other voluntary employee benefit offerings.
Audits benefit plans for compliance with government regulations; prepares all necessary plan filings. Prepares and submits government-mandated reports.
Prepares and monitors operating budget allocations for employee benefit programs and the Benefits function.
Prepares and communicates information to employees and former employees about benefit programs, procedures, changes, and government-mandated disclosures.
Analyzes and evaluates services, coverage, vendor performance and options available through insurance and investment companies to determine programs to best meet the needs of the organization.
Negotiates and contracts with benefit plan providers, vendors, auditors, and consultants for services, premiums and plan administration. Recommends benefit plan changes to senior management.
Maintains knowledge of and analyzes government regulations, benefit program trends, and prevailing practices among similar organizations. Also analyzes benefit experience for cost-control and risk assessment factors.
Provides services to employees to answer their benefit questions, resolve problems related to access to or payment of benefits, orient newly eligible employees, and process enrollment forms, changes, and loan requests.
In conjunction with HRIS, maintains employee benefits data in automated human resources information systems. Coordinates transfer of data to external vendors, plan providers, auditors, and consultants.
Develops techniques for compiling, preparing and presenting data.
RELATED COMPETENCIES
Financial Acumen: Using economic, financial, market, and industry data to understand and improve business results; using one’s understanding of major business functions, industry trends, and own organization’s position to contribute to effective business strategies and tactics.
Building Partnerships – Identifies opportunities and takes action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, units, or organizations to help achieve business goals.
Communication — Proficient in clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that helps them understand and retain the message.
Operational Decision Making - Securing and comparing information from multiple sources to identify business issues; committing to an action after weighing alternative solutions against important decision criteria.
Technical/Professional Knowledge and Skills – Having achieved a satisfactory level of technical and professional skill or knowledge in position-related areas; keeps up with current developments and trends in areas of expertise and in general HR knowledge / legislative and regulatory challenges.
BASIC AND PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE)
Accredited 4-year college degree or equivalent, or minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in HR with extensive knowledge of general business and HR practices – Business / Management related degree with emphasis in HR preferred - experience in a multi-unit AND multi-state retail, entertainment, sports, restaurant and/or hospitality environment preferred
8+ years of experience in Total Rewards/ benefits plan administration and management
Certified Benefits Professional (CBP/CEBS) certifications preferred.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, JOB SKILLS, ABILITIES
Knowledge and experience with the health and dental insurance field, with specific experience in transitioning to and implementing self-funded plans, COBRA regulations, HIPAA and FMLA administration.
Knowledge and experience with retirement plan administration and fiduciary responsibilities.
HR/ Total Rewards experience in a large multi-state, multiple-plan corporate environment
Proficient ability to communicate effectively with others using written and spoken English including the ability to provide clear, constructive feedback to team members
Expert verbal and written communication skills in English — bilingual English-Spanish skills preferred
Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with others; conducts working relationships in a manner acceptable to others and to the organization
Proficient relationship building skills, including the capacity to predict and manage behavior, build and leverage cross-functional partnerships within and outside of the organization, and leverage influential leadership
Proficient knowledge of Windows-based business computers and Microsoft Office programs; specifically, Excel and Outlook
Proficient project planning skills, including the ability to organize, prioritize and control job responsibilities in order to meet deadlines in an environment with overlapping and potentially conflicting priorities
Demonstrated capacity for gathering/scrutinizing data to identify issues, opportunities, patterns, and sustainable business solutions
Ability to assertively solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists
Ability to effectively coach, develop, retain, train, hire, and discipline others in order to produce a successful team
Consistently demonstrates a commitment to Fitness Connection policies and procedures, including but not limited to, attendance, confidentiality, conflict of interest, and ethical responsibilities