Total Rewards Consultant - Benefits Lead

Position Summary / Career Interest:

Strategic internal consultant leading employee benefit initiatives to deliver the highest levels of service, as well as influence and improve departmental policies and procedures. Works closely with Benefits Manager and is responsible for developing and managing relationships with our vendor partners to create and deploy competitive strategies and objectives to provide effective, cost efficient and competitive platform of benefits to the employees of the Health System. Serves the benefits team as a lead point of contact and content expert for administrators, vendor and TPA. Benefit programs include but are not limited to medical, dental, vision, life, flexible spending, health spending accounts, and voluntary benefit coverages. Leads new acquisition initiatives in accordance with company strategies and guidelines, serves as the content expert throughout the acquisition process. Ensures compliance with State and Federal benefit guidelines and regulations through regular review process and educates team of any pertinent updates. Networks across organization to build strong partnerships, gain trust and successfully deploy programs and initiatives.

Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions

• Skills and duties may vary dependent upon your department or unit.  Other duties may be assigned as required.
• Operates with a high degree of autonomy to administer and manage the employee benefits plan, to include, but not limited to health, dental, and vision plans, premium rates, group life, and voluntary programs.  Researches and recommends cost containment strategies and options, utilizing consultant and carrier provided analysis and information. Responsible for managing the administration of the Health System’s health and welfare benefit program and administrative processes, including on-going process improvements.  These responsibilities include:
• Assists and leads fellow benefits consultants and benefit specialists with ongoing administration, process improvement and efficiencies, while providing superior customer service. Serves as the first escalation point for the benefits team related to member benefit questions or inquiries that require additional guidance or support.
• Supports management's decision making by analyzing benefit options and predicting future costs.  Identifies benefit options by studying programs and partnering with consultants.
• Leads testing of benefit system implementations and configuration changes.
• Completes benefit surveys on behalf of the benefits department.
• Responsible for benefit records through recordkeeping systems and benefit administration systems; initiating new-hire benefits; recording changes.  Resolves employee questions and problems by interpreting benefit policies and procedures.  Reconciles benefits accounts by approving billing statements.
• Prepares special reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends.
• Leads and oversees any acquisition and integration processes and serves as a content expert related to all benefits enrollments.
• Responsible for vendor policy and contract review with health system legal team.
• Administers integrated and comprehensive health and wellness strategies that align with our Vision, Mission and Values.
• Responsible for providing plan administration, participant communications and customer service of the health systems benefit plans. Will service as the lead for communications creation, support, and review with the communications team.
• Analyses existing or proposed benefit, practices and procedures and recommends changes and improvements, and develop integrative and positive relationships internally and externally with departments, providers, brokers, carrier account management and other vendors to leverage the medical plan for health system objectives and strategies for market competitive benefits which support health and productivity goals.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
• Manages all compliance practices including ACA tracking.
• Must be able to perform the professional, clinical and or technical competencies of the assigned unit or department.
• These statements are intended to describe the essential functions of the job and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Skills and duties may vary dependent upon your department or unit. Other duties may be assigned as required.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelors Degree in related field of study from an accredited college or university.
• 7 or more years of Human Resources experience.
• 3 or more years of experience specific to Health and Welfare Benefits with a large employer with 3,000 employees or more.

Knowledge Requirements

• Demonstrated advanced knowledge of Health and Welfare Benefits design, administration, and compliance.
• Ability to perform the professional, clinical and or technical competencies of the assigned unit or department.
• Excellent computer skills and Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrated excellence and expertise in knowledge of HR Systems and Benefits vendor applications. Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and ensuring privacy rules.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, ability to multi-task, and maintain a high level of accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines in a fast paced and challenging environment.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer without regard to a person’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), national origin, ancestry, age (40 or older), disability, veteran status or genetic information.