Sr. Benefits Analyst | Full Time | Detroit, MI

DESCRIPTION :

Responsible for supporting Total Rewards Benefits, its COE Leaders and Consultants, and local Human Resources and Employee Services in the design, development and delivery of programs and services intended to meet the needs of the health system.

• Provides comprehensive technical and analytical support to functional area programs by developing related communication and educational materials;
• conducting administrative processing activities; participating in system or Human Resources sponsored special projects and initiatives;

performing evaluative and reporting activities of business operational services; and assisting with the completion and delivery of portions of large scale and high impact projects.

• Work activities reflect increased complexity and greater decision-making and problem-solving latitude in compiling and analyzing plan participant data;
• researching best practice data; supporting audit activities; overseeing service providers; administering and implementing plan changes;
• assisting with program management activities; utilizing and maintaining appropriate benefits tools, systems, and databases;

and responding to multiple, varied and technically detailed assignments. Responsibilities are complex requiring the application of a broad knowledge of benefits administration methods, practices, and techniques.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

Participates in the design, development, implementation, delivery and administration of Total Rewards Benefits programs, plans, tools, policies and procedures and associated communication and educational materials.

Drafts or reviews summary plan descriptions (SPD) and plan certificates, as required. Researches and identifies best practices and recommends changes and enhancements, as appropriate.

Compiles and analyzes plan participant data for various regulatory and compliance activities, including but not limited to providing information for the filing of IRS Form , creation and distribution of Summary Annual Reports, and plan non-discrimination testing.

Provides technical guidance and expertise to annual audit activities. Responds to Department of Labor and IRS inquiries and provides analysis regarding regulatory and compliance issues related to benefit plans.

• Provides assistance with information and system audits; ensures data accuracy and compliance.
• Communicates, processes, and maintains records on all benefit plan changes, including the review of contract amendments for accuracy and ensuring the timely implementation of benefit changes.

Conducts data audits between source system and service provider databases to ensure accuracy and plan compliance. Updates and maintains related documents, systems, and databases.

Creates and disseminates reports, as appropriate.

Oversees service providers to ensure the completion of assignments, resolution of outstanding claims and administrative disputes, and the effective and efficient reporting for benefit planning, analysis, and operations.

Reviews and analyzes reports, along with vendor provided data, to identify trends and make recommendations regarding plan and administration.

Coordinates the fulfillment orders for numerous benefits plans and related communication materials, such as Summary Plan Descriptions, brochures, and certificates.

Works with printer(s) and supply chain management to ensure timely and cost-effective printing of supplies.

Supports Benefits Open Enrollment related activities. Compiles and analyzes benefit selections and their associated costs for use in the annual rate negotiations with third party Benefits Carriers / vendors.

Assists in the development and delivery of Open Enrollment associate communication materials. Participates in comprehensive system testing and validation of plan changes.

• Performs supporting work assigned by consultants, functional or system leaders, which may be portions of larger projects or deliverables.
• Participates in organization-wide or Human Resources-sponsored special projects or initiatives, as assigned, including Project Management.
• Performs administrative processing activities, which may be broad and complex in nature and requiring increased problem-solving abilities not supported by the Employee Services.

Works with the Employee Services on benefits processing and related issues (e.g., Open Enrollment testing, COBRA, Carrier Administration and FSA / HSA Administration).

Responsible for response escalated inquiries from Employee Services by counseling executives, managers, and associates on benefit programs.

Interprets and applies benefits related Total Rewards practices and guidelines; provides problem resolution as needed.

• Assists in overall benefits program management activities. Participates and may facilitate meeting with various leaders;
• assists in the development and delivery of state-of-the-art educational templates via toolbox, webinars and train-the-trainer;
• establishes, leads and communicates overall project expectations to team members and other stakeholders ensuring interactions and communications reflect consensus building;

prepares and presents information to various large and small groups and audiences; and serves as a technical resources responding to varied inquiries, requests and problems in order to meet established timetable and deliverables.

Responsible for Merger, Divesture and Acquisition (MD&A) related activities, as directed. Compiles and reviews comparative benefits summaries.

Assists in coordinating and integrating the merged, acquired, or divested organization and aligning the organization with HFHS culture and Total Rewards programs and policies.

Assists in designing, developing, and implementing Total Rewards program and policies for post-MD&A organization as business situations warrants.

• Provides benefits administration for closed groups, including processing life insurance claims and answering employee benefit questions.
• Assists in producing and analyzing business operations and reporting for Total Rewards programs. Collects, assembles, and analyzes data;

prepares related reports.

• Maintains a working knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, as well as other policies and procedures to ensure adherence in a manner that reflects honest, ethical, and professional behavior.
• Reasonable knowledge of experience with human resources practices, laws, and regulations.
• Ability to respond to variable situations requiring analytical, interpretive, evaluative, and constructive thinking abilities.

Strong logical and deductive reasoning abilities. Ability to understand and link data to initiatives and outcomes.

• Analytical and critical thinking skills to handle reasonably complex situations from both the micro and macro perspective while considering a broad range of issues / factors and recommends creative solutions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to discuss detailed technical or sensitive information with internal and external customers and to develop and review comprehensive plan documents.

Detail-oriented with an elevated level of organizational skills and ability to manage and complete work in an efficient and thorough manner.

• Proficiency in software programs including Microsoft Office. Familiarity with PeopleSoft preferred.
• Must be discrete and maintain the highest confidentiality with extremely sensitive data.
• Strong interpersonal, consultative and relationship building skills to initiate and develop productive working partnerships with management and staff.

Ability to read the subtle nuances of situations and react / plan accordingly.

• Proven customer-service orientation. Ability to know and understand customer requirements and exercise judgment in meeting reasonable expectations.
• Ability to support a change management and process improvement work environment.
• Flexibility with the ability to manage and prioritize competing and multiple tasks / projects in a timely and organized manner.
• Must be comfortable operating in a collaborative, shared leadership environment.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE :

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration, Health, Wellness, or a related field required or Seven years of benefit analysis or health and welfare benefits administration experience in lieu of degree.
• Three to five years of benefits, benefits analysis, and administration and / or health and wellness administration experience required.
• Health-care benefits experience preferred.
• Must possess a working knowledge of benefits administration.

Additional Information

Organization : Corporate Services

Department : Corporate Benefits

Shift : Day Job

Union Code : Not Applicable