Benefits Analyst

Location : Washington, DC

Schedule : 9 : 00 AM to 5 : 30 PM

FLSA : Exempt

Position Type : Full-Time / Regular

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

We are currently seeking a Benefits Analyst in the Human Resources department, working under the general daily direction and supervision of the Sr Benefits Analyst, and the strategic direction of the Director of Benefits and Well-Being.

The role will reside in the Washington, DC office with hybrid work capabilities and will be responsible for the daily administration of the firm’s benefit plans and programs ( benefits ), such as 401(k) Profit Sharing, group and supplemental life, AD&D, disability, 529 college savings, commuter and other specialty programs including benefits set-up, maintenance and processing in the benefits management system;

coordination and validation of benefit-related payroll changes relating to benefits; and general benefit reporting, communication and carrier liaison Benefit Analyst is expected to perform all responsibilities with a commitment to providing superior service to all firm personnel, efficient and effective departmental operations, and an atmosphere of teamwork and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities of this position include :

Benefits Administration

• Handle day to day operational duties for benefits to include but not limited to 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan, group and supplemental life, AD&D, disability, employee discount program, 529 college savings and student loan refinancing, parking and commuter benefits, fitness reimbursement and discounted gym membership programs, subsidy programs, and collaboration on financial well-being initiatives.
• Cover day to day operational duties to include enrollment, eligibility files, billing, communications, reporting, payroll processing, ongoing plan audits, distribution processing, employee issue resolution, and vendor liaison.
• Support the capital partner annual 401(k) election and contribution process.
• Manage and track status and updates for evidence of insurability (EOI) for life insurance enrollments.
• Enter and maintain benefit data in HRIS system.
• Perform monthly 401(k) audits to review 401k elections and contributions are aligned between Payroll and vendor totals.
• Calculate and audit 401(k) auto-rate escalator and auto re-enrollment in coordination with 401(k) recordkeeper.
• Prepare annual retirement plan W-2 exceptions listing for payroll.
• Process payments for retirement plan administration expenses and track for budgeting purposes.
• Calculate and remit annual staff 401(k) matching contributions.
• Calculate and remit annual staff profit sharing contributions.
• Review, prepare and submit death claims for all plans through coordination with vendors.

Carrier Liaison

Oversee and audit proper maintenance of eligibility and enrollment data within benefits administration platform, payroll, and third-party administrators as appropriate.

This may include, but is not limited to, proper program set-up on the benefits administration platform, oversight and familiarity with eligibility and enrollment files, and monitoring of payroll data exchanges.

• Oversee and audit transmission files sent from HRIS to third party platforms. This may include, but not limited to, reviewing eligibility, correcting contributions, and working with IT to maintain files sent to vendors in areas of responsibilities.
• Participate in status meetings with benefit vendors as requested regarding current and upcoming projects.

Reporting

• Assist Sr Analyst and Director in preparation of annual reports for plan audits, renewals, 5500 requirements, and other needs as they may arise.
• Assist with various projects such as, but not limited to : survey requests, 5500 processing, SARs, HIPAA, CMS and other required notifications.

Open Enrollment

• Participate proactively in annual Open Enrollment Process, including verifying and updating benefits, testing and communications.
• Conduct open enrollment / year-end auditing.

Benefits Collaboration and Communication

• Support new hire benefits orientation for U.S. personnel.
• Provides guidance on benefit policies, programs, and procedures with all benefit areas through close collaboration, cross-training, process documentation, and open and on-going communication.
• Closely collaborate with and provide support for Benefits team, as needed, to accommodate department leaves, projects and initiatives.
• Respond in a timely manner to telephone and email requests for benefits information from staff, lawyers and partners, including management of the Benefits Support community mailbox and general benefits hotline.
• Create, post and refresh communications relating to areas of responsibility for internal Akin Connect, bswift benefits site, other department materials like Benefit Guides, flyers, partner benefits summaries and as agreed upon for general program promotion.
• Participate in updating plan related forms and enrollment materials as necessary and communicate changes to local Human Resources.

Qualifications (Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities) :

• Bachelor’s degree required; an advanced degree and / or professional certification helpful
• Minimum of 5 years of related benefits experience, preferably in a law firm or other professional services environment
• Demonstrated knowledge of retirement and welfare plans, healthcare group insurance, and general benefit policies, practices and legal requirements
• Thorough knowledge of MS Office applications including Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint
• Demonstrated mastery of HRIS (Workday preferred), benefits systems (bswift preferred), retirement administrator platforms (Voya) and file interfaces
• Ownership of areas of responsibility with an aptitude to anticipate and pro-actively execute tasks while identifying areas of enhancement, efficiencies, and solutions as needed
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate potentially detailed and complex information to all levels of personnel
• Demonstrated ownership of areas of responsibility with an aptitude to anticipate and pro-actively execute tasks while identifying areas of enhancement, efficiencies and solutions as needed
• Confidentiality, discretion and tact
• Aptitude and willingness to work with complex procedures
• Strong organizational skills including effective documentation management
• Attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adjust to changing priorities and deadlines in a professional and positive manner
• Ability to work independently and with a team
• Strong work ethic with the willingness and ability to assume new tasks and responsibilities
• Ability to exercise initiative, independent judgment and common sense
• Strong service orientation, and an ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with users, peers, office and firm management, and outside business partners
• Ability to work well under pressure, facilitate solutions, and meet deadlines and milestones for projects assigned
• Ability to work extended hours as necessary to fulfill time sensitive responsibilities
• Commitment to professional growth and development
30+ days ago