Senior Benefits Consultant

Lead the design, implementation, and optimization of employee benefits programs, including health, welfare, retirement, wellbeing, and ancillary offerings.

Serve as a strategic consultant to HR leaders, HR Business Partners, and organizational stakeholders on benefits strategy, workforce needs, market trends, and program effectiveness.

Conduct market benchmarking, competitive analyses, and industry research to ensure benefits offerings remain competitive, compliant, and aligned with organizational objectives.

Manage vendor relationships, performance, and service delivery while supporting contract negotiations, renewals, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Analyze benefits utilization, claims, enrollment, and workforce data to identify trends, develop recommendations, and support data-driven decision making.

Partner with Finance, Legal, and other stakeholders to ensure regulatory compliance and effective governance of benefits programs.

Develop business cases, executive presentations, reporting, and strategic recommendations to support benefits and total rewards initiatives.

Lead employee communication and education strategies, including annual enrollment, program launches, and ongoing benefits awareness efforts.

Manage complex benefits projects, system enhancements, process improvements, vendor implementations, and organizational change initiatives.

Perform other duties as assigned, demonstrating flexibility, collaboration, and a service-oriented approach consistent with Arkansas Children’s mission and values.

Required Education: High school diploma or general education degree (GED)

Recommended Education: Bachelor's Degree, Bachelor's degree in a related field of study.

Required Work Experience:

• Highly proficient in designing, implementing, and optimizing employee benefits programs
• Experience in conducting market benchmarking, competitive analyses, and industry research
• Proven ability to manage vendor relationships and support contract negotiations
• Strong analytical skills to interpret benefits utilization, claims, enrollment, and workforce data
• Experience in developing business cases, executive presentations, reporting, and strategic recommendations
• Effective communication and education strategies for employee benefits
• Experience in managing complex benefits projects, system enhancements, process improvements, vendor implementations, and organizational change initiatives

Required Certifications:

• Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) - International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
• Professional in Human Resources (PHR) - HRCI
• SHRM-CP - SHRM