Health and Welfare Programs Consultant

This role is hybrid in Pittsburgh, PA, requiring 3 days a week in office (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday).

About the role

Support the director in designing, developing, and consulting on various health and welfare benefit design strategies for the company. This position evaluates and benchmarks assigned current programs to determine competitive posture and assists in planning and designing changes in response to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Responsible for collaborating with Human Resource Business Partners to provide consulting and training on health and welfare benefit issues, and interfaces with and supports management on health and welfare benefit design and communication issues. Partners with HR Operations to ensure understanding of plans and compliance requirements and provides oversight of benefit plan processes.

Responsibilities

• Communicate effectively by:
  • Managing customer expectations.
  • Facilitating, planning, and designing presentations and meetings.
  • Partnering with HR Business Partners, management, and executives in implementing benefit changes.
  • Advising managers and executives on health and welfare design and communication issues.
• Design, develop, and consult on various health and welfare design strategies for the company, including:
  • Ensuring cost effectiveness.
  • Ensuring market competitiveness.
  • Determining regulatory compliance.
  • Maintaining consistency with the company’s overall strategic plan and objectives.
  • Planning and designing changes in response to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
• Evaluate and benchmark assigned current programs to determine competitive posture.
• Develop unique recommendations and solutions on plan revisions as well as new plans which are cost-effective and consistent with benefit trends and company objectives.
• Collaborate with legal and tax areas to track and understand new legislation and regulations to ensure plan compliance.
• Collaborate with Finance areas to monitor, control, and perform trend analysis of benefit costs.
• Evaluate multiple forms of benefit programs during the process of due diligence and plan integration in mergers, acquisitions, and other corporate transactions.
• Collaborate with Business Partners to provide consulting and strategic direction on health and welfare benefit issues.
• Recommend policy and program changes to ensure the company’s health and welfare programs and business objectives are aligned.
• Provide communications, training, and guidance on plans and compliance requirements for administration to HR Operations and the HR Business Partner groups.
• Interface at executive levels by providing consultative advice and direction on health and welfare design and communication issues.
• Develop strategies to report, update, and extract data from HRIS and other HR systems.
• Build databases and/or utilize complex queries and data analysis tools.
• Design systems to calculate, track, and deliver benefits to employees.
• Conduct, individually or in a team environment, multiple projects of varying size and complexity.
• Complete projects and studies as assigned, plan activities, and establish objectives within allotted time frames.
• Research and analyze information to determine the best course of action.
• Other duties as assigned or requested.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or other related field. Substitution: 6 years of relevant experience in lieu of Bachelor's degree.
• 4 years of experience providing health and welfare benefit planning consultation and design.
• 3 years of experience in data analysis and project management.

Preferred Qualifications

• 4 years of experience applying knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations applicable to benefits.
• Industry experience working with self-funded plans and large, complex organizations (e.g., union negotiations).
• Project management ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Certifications: CBPP, PHR, SPHR, or CEBS.

Skills

• Demonstrated consultative, interpersonal, communication, influencing, and presentation skills.
• Detail-oriented and self-motivated professional.
• Proficient with MS Office Suite.
• Advanced knowledge of ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, ADA, IRS Section 125 & 129, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
• Advanced knowledge of relevant legislation and mandated compliance.
• Benefits Plan Design Expertise.
• Benchmarking Proficiency: Extensive experience in evaluating benefit programs, comparing plan designs, and pricing strategies across organizations to optimize value.
• Deep knowledge of health plan options, including the nuances of various health plan models (e.g., EPO, HDHP), funding arrangements (e.g., self-funded), and ancillary benefits (e.g., dental, vision, life insurance, spending accounts, voluntary benefits, tuition reimbursement).
• Financial Acumen: Ability to analyze cost data and model the financial impact of different plan design changes.
• Compliance Expertise: In-depth knowledge of employee benefit regulations (e.g., ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA). Experience managing plan compliance including Form 5500 filings, plan document preparation, and audits.
• Data Analytics and Reporting: Proficient Excel skills and ability to use data to drive decision-making and create comprehensive reports.

Schedule

Hybrid schedule requiring 3 days a week in the office (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday).

Travel

0% - 25% travel required.

Physical and Mental Demands

• Office-based position.
• Regularly teaches/trains others.
• Occasionally travels regularly from the office to various work sites or from site-to-site.
• Constantly lifts up to 10 pounds.
• Occasionally lifts 10 to 25 pounds.
• Rarely lifts 25 to 50 pounds.