Senior Benefits Consultant

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled and analytical Senior Benefits Consultant to oversee the strategic assessment, compliance, and administration of our retiree Health and Welfare plans. In this role, you will be responsible for conducting thorough needs assessments, managing plan restatements and amendments, and ensuring strict adherence to regulatory requirements. This position acts as a critical analytical hub, partnering with Legal, Labor Relations, Actuaries, and vendors to support both represented (union) and non-represented employee and retiree populations.

Responsibilities

• Plan Management & Assessments
• Conduct comprehensive needs assessments for retiree Health and Welfare plans, including plan restatements, amendments, and benefit change forms.
• Research and analyze vendor implementation documents, plan documents, and HRIS data files to ensure operational alignment.
• Finalize complex data files for Summary Material Modification (SMM) mailings for all retiree populations.
• Compliance, Analytics & Reporting
• Analyze and prepare large, complex datasets from plan auditors, actuaries, third-party administrators (TPAs), and vendors for annual regulatory filings (e.g., Form 5500s, CMS, PCORI).
• Provide robust analytical support to track, investigate, and resolve compliance log issues in partnership with Legal, Compliance, and Executive Leadership.
• Interpret and apply HR policies, collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), plan documents, and federal/state laws to ensure all benefit structures remain compliant.
• Special Projects & Strategy
• Lead special projects driven by evolving regulatory requirements (e.g., Mental Health Parity, evolving healthcare legislation) and bargaining/labor changes.
• Adapt swiftly to shifting departmental objectives, assuming cross-functional duties as business needs evolve.

Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in Human Resources, with a dedicated focus on benefits administration.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Deep knowledge of ERISA compliance, regulatory reporting, and a strong primary focus on Retiree Health and Welfare benefits.
• Labor Relations: Proven experience interpreting collective bargaining agreements and managing benefits for represented employee groups.
• Technical & Analytical Skills: Systems Expertise: Advanced proficiency in HRIS platforms (Oracle HCM preferred) and database management/reporting. Software Proficiency: Expert-level skills in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, and advanced Excel/Access database functions). Data Literacy: Demonstrated ability to synthesize, audit, and draw insights from large, disparate data sets.
• Core Competencies: Project & Time Management: Exceptionally skilled at managing multiple complex projects simultaneously under tight deadlines. Adaptability: Highly flexible professional who understands team dynamics and thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment.