Job Description

Job Summary:

Reporting to the People & Culture Manager, Benefits.  This role is responsible for the day-to-day administration of group benefit programs (group medical, dental, vision, short-term (STD) and long-term disability (LTD), long-term care (LTC), group legal, transit/parking, workers’ compensation, life insurance, travel and accident insurance, flexible spending accounts, COBRA, etc.) and leave of absence (LOA) policies in alignment with the firm’s Total Rewards Strategy, while providing excellent client service.

Job Duties:

Benefits Administrator

Administers the day-to-day operations of the Firm's benefits programs including medical, dental, vision, flexible spending, STD/LTD, LTC, life insurance, group legal, transit/parking, worker's comp programs, COBRA, back-up dependent care, pet insurance, travel and accident insurance, etc.
Assists in researching employee benefit programs and vendors to identify those that present the best service and value
Evaluates internal processes and identifies ways to reduce costs and increase efficiency
Ensures compliance with all applicable government regulations, including timeliness and accuracy of required postings, documents, responses to requests, notifications. etc.
Assists with maintenance and correction of benefit files/records and updating of employee and partner records in Benefits system, including file transfers to payroll and third-party vendors
Gathers employee, partner, COBRA participant and retired partner data and processes the monthly billings for payment of administrative fees for all group plans
Performs and participates in benefit plan audits as needed
Collaborates with others on benefits team on special projects, such as new/changes to systems, expansions, etc.
Provides excellent client service support to internal and external customers including assisting employees, partners, COBRA participants and retired partners, along with dependents regarding any benefits questions and concerns.  This includes investigation discrepancies, notifying National Benefits Manager and may involve our contacting our broker/benefits vendors on behalf of our clients until resolution is reached
Provides training and support to other Human Resources team members
Assists with designing and maintaining benefits communication materials, forms and information for employees, partners, COBRA participants and retired partners (SPDs, open enrollment, expansion, portal, general topics, newsletters, mailings) to promote BDO’s Total Rewards package.
Assists in facilitating the annual open enrollment process and new enrollment process for expansion firms.  This includes travel to incoming expansion firm prior to and post effective date
Ensures legal compliance with record retention, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, ACA, SECTION 125, Workers Compensation, Medicare, Social Security and DOL requirements
Assists the National Benefits Analyst and Benefits Manager with ACA tracking, reporting and corrections
Additional responsibilities as required.
Travel requirement:  Approximately 10%.
Serves as a back-up to the LOA Administrator and provides assistance as needed 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

N/A

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Education:

Bachelor's degree, required 

Experience:

Minimum of three (3) years of related benefits or HR experience, required
Experience with self-insured health care plans, required
Prior experience with administration of leaves, preferred
Strong understanding of all pertinent federal and state regulations, filing and compliance requirements both adopted and pending affecting employee benefit programs, including ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, ACA, SECTION 125, Workers Compensation, Medicare, Social Security and DOL requirements, required
Project and team management/leadership skills and experience. Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment with associates. Capable of effective planning and priority setting. Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously while working under pressure to meet deadlines, required

License/Certifications:

PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP or CEBS, preferred

Software:

Computer proficiency and technical aptitude with the ability to use of Microsoft Office applications, database systems and Oracle platform for core and benefits, required

Language:

N/A

Other Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Strong analytical skills and a thorough knowledge of benefit contract language and plan designs. Ability to understand, evaluate and make judgment on proposals.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, client service and organization skills
Solid organizational skills with the ability to meet project deadlines with a focus on details
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills along with attention to detail
Ability to successfully multi-task while working independently or within a group environment
Ability to work in a demanding, deadline-driven environment and handle multiple projects simultaneously 
Capacity to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external clients 
Capable of maintaining confidential information and matters with discretion, including legal compliance with HIPAA 
Strong understanding of applicable federal and state regulations BDO firm wide governing leave of absences
Strong working knowledge of HR policies and practices
Ability to communicate with all levels of leadership while providing a high level of customer service and confidentiality
Ability to adapt communication style to successfully convey messages and objectives to diverse audience