Senior Specialist, Benefit Operations

About the role

The Senior Specialist, Benefit Operations plays a central role in managing and coordinating the administration of all company-sponsored health and welfare benefits and wellness programs. This position is primarily for Canada and also provides support for US and Puerto Rico.

Responsibilities

• Utilize ServiceNow ticket system to research and provide resolution to Tier 2 benefits operations cases.
• Oversee the daily administration of company benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, COBRA, retiree MAP & EGWP programs, HSA, FSAs, life insurance, disability, wellness programs, and all other ancillary plans.
• Responsible for implementations, enhancements, testing, deployment, execution, administration and communications of the Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) benefit plans and systems.
• Partner with Benefit Strategists and Service Delivery Management to determine feasibility to successfully operationalize proposed benefit additions or modifications.
• Participate in implementation meetings and provide SME knowledge of benefit operations, plan requirements, vendor deliverables and project plans.
• Identify opportunities for process automation, reducing manual tasks and creating streamlined and efficient processes.
• Serves as main point of contact for our benefit administrators, carriers and vendors for all operational activities, including understanding plan requirements.
• Collaborate with the Benefit Operations Team to assist in the planning and execution of Annual Enrollments.
• Partner with the Communications to ensure employees are well-informed about their benefit choices and timelines.
• Oversee benefit administrator to ensure successful delivery of contracted services within project timelines.
• Analyze enrollment data to identify trends and areas for improvement.
• Compile and present relevant data for second-level appeals.
• Review and update employee reference materials, or Knowledge Articles.
• Ensure articles are updated, if applicable, and reposted before articles expire.
• Prepare and submit and/or oversee vendor preparation of required government filings (5500s, SARs, 1095s, etc.).
• Prepare financial reports as needed.
• Audit and reconcile invoicing for carriers, vendors, etc. and provide support for the PO process.
• Absorb and provide support for internal and external audits and benefit surveys, as required.
• Coordinate M&A activities for Benefit Operations (employee data load date coordination, requirements and enrollment windows, plan for specific M&A concessions, obtain data for Prism reports and historic archiving requirements, etc.).
• Collaborate with internal partners, carriers and vendors, to create and provide training and resources for benefits offerings, including webinars, workshops and informational materials.
• Monitor and analyze employee benefits utilization, costs and trends to identify opportunities for cost-saving, optimization and program improvements.
• Stay informed about industry best practices, emerging trends and regulation changes as it pertains to benefit operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or related field or equivalent experience preferred.
• Professional certifications such as SHRM-CP, PHR or CEBS preferred.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in benefits administration, with at least 3 years in a senior or lead role required, Canadian experience preferred.
• Experience with self-insured benefits plans or large, complex benefits programs required, RRSP and Medicare knowledge preferred.
• Experience with benefits administration software and HRIS platforms required, familiarity with Workday and Alight preferred.
• Prior experience implementing new benefit technologies, upgrading systems and operational redesigns strongly preferred.
• Strong analytical and MS Excel skills with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to interpret and present complex benefits data.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex benefits information to all stakeholders at all levels.
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Able to work in a highly collaborative, multifunctional team environment and the ability to deliver on individual goals with minimal supervision.

Skills

• Strong analytical and MS Excel skills with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to interpret and present complex benefits data.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex benefits information to all stakeholders at all levels.
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Able to work in a highly collaborative, multifunctional team environment and the ability to deliver on individual goals with minimal supervision.