Sr. Compliance Consultant, Employee Benefits

About the role

As the Sr. Compliance Consultant, Employee Benefits, you’ll serve as FNIC’s go-to resource for employee benefits compliance. You’ll help clients and internal teams navigate complex regulations, providing practical guidance on ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, the Internal Revenue Code, and related requirements. Staying ahead of regulatory changes, you’ll support compliance reviews, client needs, and translate complex requirements into clear, actionable guidance. You’ll collaborate with internal teams, industry partners, and legal counsel to help clients stay informed, reduce risk, and confidently manage their compliance responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Compliance Advisory & Client Support
  • Serve as a trusted compliance resource for clients and internal teams on ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, Section 125, Transparency in Coverage, the No Surprises Act, MHPAEA, and other employee benefits regulations.
  • Help employers understand plan sponsor responsibilities and translate complex compliance requirements into practical, actionable guidance.
  • Review benefit program structures to identify potential compliance concerns and recommend next steps.
  • Support compliance strategy discussions for large and complex employer groups.
  • Partner with outside legal counsel and compliance resources when matters require formal legal interpretation or specialized expertise.
• Compliance Documentation & Resources
  • Review and customize approved templates and third-party resources to support client compliance needs, including wrap documents, plan documents, SPDs, SBCs, Section 125 documents, required notices and disclosures, and PCORI fee calculations.
  • Help ensure compliance resources and materials remain accurate, current, and easy for clients and internal teams to use.
• Regulatory Updates & Education
  • Stay current on federal and state legislative and regulatory developments affecting employee benefit plans.
  • Translate regulatory changes into clear, relevant updates for clients and FNIC teams.
  • Leverage third-party compliance updates, newsletters, alerts, and educational resources to develop and customize FNIC communications.
  • Lead compliance training and educational sessions for clients and internal teams.
• Compliance Reviews & Assessments
  • Conduct compliance reviews of employer-sponsored health and welfare plans to identify potential gaps and areas of risk.
  • Recommend practical next steps to help clients address identified compliance concerns.
  • Provide guidance on Form 5500 filing requirements and related compliance matters.
  • Support clients in responding to regulatory inquiries, audits, and investigations, coordinating with outside resources as needed.
• Internal Partnership & Best Practices
  • Collaborate with Benefits Account Managers, Sales Executives, and Leadership to incorporate compliance into client service strategies.
  • Develop and maintain FNIC compliance workflows, procedures, escalation protocols, service standards, and best practices.
  • Contribute compliance expertise to agency initiatives focused on improving client service and operational excellence.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business, human resources, legal studies, or a related discipline preferred. Equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience may be considered.
• 5+ years of progressive employee benefits experience, including significant responsibility for health and welfare benefits compliance. Experience within an insurance brokerage, consulting firm, TPA, or employer benefit function preferred.
• Working knowledge of ERISA, Affordable Care Act (ACA), COBRA, HIPAA Privacy & Security, Internal Revenue Code provisions affecting employee benefits, Section 125 Cafeteria Plans, FMLA, and state leave laws (CO, NE, IA, SD, IL).
• Knowledge of employer-sponsored health and welfare benefit plans.
• Understanding of plan document requirements and fiduciary responsibilities.
• Familiarity with Form 5500 reporting requirements.
• Ability to independently analyze regulations, apply them to practical business situations, communicate clear guidance, and recognize when matters should be escalated to outside legal counsel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Resident Life & Health Insurance License.
• CEBS (Certified Employee Benefit Specialist).
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification.
• Experience working within an insurance agency, broker, consulting firm, or third-party administration environment.
• Experience delivering compliance presentations and educational programs.

Benefits

• Competitive Pay: Market-competitive compensation packages that reflect your experience, expertise, and the value you bring to our clients and teams.
• Benefits You Can Rely On: Health, dental, and vision insurance, HSA with employer contributions, 401(k) match, employer-paid disability coverage, and life insurance.
• Freestyle PTO & Work-Life Balance: Trust-based and freestyle time-off approach with flexible telecommuting options.
• Dress for Your Day: Encouragement to dress in a way that helps you feel comfortable and confident, whether client-facing or behind the scenes.
• Invested in Your Development: Support for continuous learning through tuition reimbursement, training opportunities, and career growth paths across FNIC.
• A Workplace That Cares: Access to mental health support through our EAP, virtual fitness classes, in-office gym access (Omaha), and a culture that prioritizes connection, fun, and collaboration.