Senior Benefits Consultant

About the Role

The Senior Benefits Consultant combines deep technical expertise with strong financial and analytical capabilities and enjoys turning complex information into meaningful, strategic recommendations. As a senior member of the Benefits team, you’ll partner closely with the Director of Benefits, Finance, vendors, consultants, and other key stakeholders to evaluate and enhance Baystate Health’s benefits portfolio. The Senior Benefits Consultant will help ensure our programs remain competitive, innovative, compliant, financially sustainable, and aligned with the needs of our diverse healthcare workforce.

Responsibilities

• Shape Benefits Strategy
  • Partner with Benefits leadership to evaluate, design, and enhance benefit programs.
  • Analyze plan design, market trends, utilization, and emerging practices to identify opportunities for improvement.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert on benefits trends, funding strategies, carrier practices, and industry best practices.
  • Bring external market insights and innovative ideas forward to strengthen Baystate Health’s benefits offerings.
  • Drive Data-Informed Decision Making
    • Perform advanced financial, utilization, cost, and trend analysis to support strategic decisions.
    • Develop cost projections and financial models to support forecasting and budgeting.
    • Interpret underwriting results, actuarial analyses, vendor proposals, and other complex financial data.
    • Translate complex findings into clear, actionable recommendations for leadership.
    • Support vendor selection and negotiation strategies in partnership with Benefits leadership and external consultants.
    • Evaluate vendor pricing, capabilities, and solutions while considering financial, operational, and employee experience impacts.
    • Monitor vendor performance and serve as an escalation point for complex or high-priority service issues.
  • Lead Vendor & RFP Strategy
    • Lead RFP processes, including vendor evaluation, benchmarking, and comparative analysis.
    • Support vendor selection and negotiation strategies in partnership with Benefits leadership and external consultants.
    • Evaluate vendor pricing, capabilities, and solutions while considering financial, operational, and employee experience impacts.
    • Monitor vendor performance and serve as an escalation point for complex or high-priority service issues.
  • Support Compliance & Benefits Operations
    • Provide guidance related to applicable benefits regulations, including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, IRS, and DOL requirements.
    • Serve as an escalation resource for complex benefits questions and issues.
    • Support open enrollment planning, execution, and benefits system readiness.
    • Support the evaluation and implementation of benefits technology platforms, integrations, and new solutions.
  • Collaborate & Lead
    • Prepare presentations, analyses, and recommendations that support leadership decision-making.
    • Build strong partnerships across Benefits, Finance, vendors, consultants, and other stakeholders.
    • Manage multiple priorities and complex projects in a dynamic healthcare environment.
    • Mentor and share expertise with junior members of the Benefits team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree, required
• Master’s Degree, preferred
• 7–10+ years of progressive experience in employee benefits, required
• Deep technical knowledge of health and welfare, retirement, and voluntary benefits
• Experience working within a healthcare system or large employer environment, strongly preferred
• Experience with self-funded benefit plans and financial modeling
• Strong financial, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to interpret complex data and translate it into clear, actionable recommendations
• Strong experience with vendor evaluation, RFPs, negotiations, and relationship management
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Strong project management, organization, and prioritization abilities
• Able to manage multiple complex initiatives while maintaining attention to detail

Preferred Skills

• Bachelor's Degree (Required)
• Master of Business Administration (Preferred)
• Certifications: Certified Employee Benefit Specialist – International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, Human Resource Professional – Society of Human Resource Management, Senior Human Resource Professional – Society of Human Resource Management