Benefits Strategy & Analytics Specialist

Reports to Vice President of Human Resources. Exempt status. Full-time, 40 hours per week.

About the role

Responsible for developing, designing, and administering all comprehensive employee benefit and retirement programs. Strategically evaluates plan structures, monitors emerging industry trends, and introduces innovative practices to ensure cost containment, market competitiveness, and optimal employee wellness. Oversees compliance and regulatory frameworks, manages benefit budgeting and financial forecasting, conducts data billing and claims auditing, and counsels employees regarding benefit status.

Responsibilities

• Researches, evaluates, and redesigns current and proposed employee benefit structures (health, retirement, voluntary benefits) to ensure alignment with organizational goals and market competitiveness.
• Analyzes utilization trends, claims data, and market benchmarks to introduce innovative benefit options, health management tools, and cost-containment strategies.
• Evaluates vendor proposals, manages broker/carrier relationships, and leads annual contract negotiations for benefit programs.
• Leads the annual benefits budgeting process and develops long-term financial forecasting models for health insurance, wellness programs, and retirement plans.
• Conducts monthly/quarterly data billing reconciliations across all carriers and plan providers to ensure accuracy, eliminate billing errors, and prevent overcharges.
• Serves as lead on the Wellness Committee, aligning program initiatives with the health plan design and onsite/virtual clinic settings to drive employee wellness and control plan costs.
• Ensures strict regulatory compliance of all employee benefit and retirement plans with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, DOL, FMLA, and IRS guidelines.
• Leads administrative preparation and execution for agency audits related to Department of Labor, 403(b), 457(b), and Workers’ Compensation.
• Administers and serves as lead for agency 403(b) and 457(b) retirement programs in conjunction with the Board Retirement Plan Oversight Committee to ensure adherence to legal and contractual standards.
• Maintains mandatory Federal and State employment poster updates and keeps organizational practices aligned with evolving legislation.
• Develops and administers all core employee benefit programs, FMLA, Tuition Reimbursement, Workers’ Compensation, and Unemployment Compensation on an annual basis.
• Oversees lost time determinations for payroll and ensures payroll is completed according to DOL standards and agency policy.
• Trains in core Employment HR processes and serves as backup in the absence of other HR staff.
• Completes earnings verifications and employment info requests from outside agencies in compliance with legal standards and employee Release of Information approvals.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Management, Finance, or related field.
• 5 years of experience in Human Resources, benefits administration, and financial plan oversight.
• PHR, SHRM-CP, or CEBS Certification preferred.

Skills

• Deep understanding of federal/state employment and benefits laws (FLSA, ERISA, ACA, FMLA, COBRA, HIPAA, DOL regulations).
• Familiarity with Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare.
• Advanced proficiency in benefit budgeting, financial forecasting, data analysis, claims auditing, and premium billing reconciliation.
• Proven ability to evaluate benefit plan structures, analyze utilization data, and innovate creative health/wellness solutions to optimize costs and employee satisfaction.
• High proficiency with HRIS, payroll, and benefits software, along with advanced Microsoft Excel/Office skills.
• Ability to evaluate complex datasets, spot billing discrepancies, and interpret legislation and contracts accurately.
• Excellent oral, written, and active listening skills to explain complex benefit/financial concepts to employees and leadership.
• Outstanding organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to handle highly confidential information with discretion.

Competencies

• Action-Oriented – Take strategies and ideas, develop plans, and turn them into reality.
• Drives for Results – Instill a sense of urgency in teams and organizations. Striving for results involves communicating a clear vision, setting priorities, and developing and executing plans that achieve the desired outcomes.
• Interpersonal Savvy – Possess a diverse set of interpersonal skills and know when to apply each one. Build connections in a flexible and considerate manner to achieve results while fostering goodwill.
• Decision Quality – Make sound choices that balance speed and quality, blending analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment.
• Communicates Effectively – Use communication to inform, persuade, coach, and inspire. Ensure messages are clear, relevant, and impactful to guide others toward a common goal.
• Cultivates Innovation – Engage in driving innovation to help the organization thrive in a competitive environment.
• Accepts Accountability – Take responsibility for your actions and those you lead. Foster a culture of accountability to build trust, respect, and high performance.

Core Values

• Opportunity
  • Communicate in a way that makes others feel respected, valued, and heard.
  • Actively listen to others when they communicate with you.
  • Work together with others to achieve goals.
  • Be open to change as it supports the mission and vision.
  • Take risks when necessary.
• Accountability
  • Arrive on time for your shift and be ready to work.
  • Help coworkers.
  • Acknowledge mistakes and work to correct them.
  • Work on solutions to problems and communicate them respectfully and collaboratively.
  • Be willing to accept constructive feedback to improve performance.
  • Perform to the expectations outlined in your role.
• Innovation
  • Conduct yourself at work in a way that creates a positive outlook.
  • Have an open mind to changes that provide benefits and opportunities to others.
  • Challenge yourself to be curious and a lifelong learner.
  • Positively collaborate with others.