Total Rewards Analyst Lead - Benefits

The Total Rewards Analyst – Benefits Lead will be responsible for supporting the development, implementation, and administration of employee benefits programs, ensuring the programs are competitive, compliant, and aligned with the organization's Total Rewards strategy. This role will be on-site (M-F) in Duluth MN.

Duties and Responsibilities/Essential Functions

Benefits Program Management:

• Lead the design, implementation, and administration of employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, wellness, life insurance, disability, retirement plans, and other offerings.
• Collaborate with external vendors and internal teams to manage and optimize benefit plans, ensuring they meet the needs of Cirrus and its employees.
• Ensure benefits programs are competitive, cost-effective, and align with the company’s Total Rewards philosophy.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant federal, state, and local regulations related to benefits, including ACA, ERISA, HIPAA, FMLA, COBRA, and other applicable laws
• Oversee relationships with third-party benefits vendors, including health insurance providers, retirement plan administrators, wellness program providers, and other benefit-related partners.
• Evaluate contracts with benefits providers to ensure competitive pricing and quality service delivery.
• Manage Open Enrollment processes, including communication, vendor coordination, and system updates.
• Develop and deliver clear, concise, and engaging benefits communication materials to employees, ensuring they understand benefits options and the value of their Total Rewards package.
• Lead employee benefits education initiatives, including training sessions, webinars, and workshops, to ensure employees are informed to make the best decisions for themselves and their families.
• Analyze benefit data and trends to assess program effectiveness, employee satisfaction, and cost management.
• Prepare regular reports on benefits utilization, cost trends and program performance to HR Leadership.
• Act as primary point of contact for employee benefit inquiries, providing expert guidance and support on program details, claims and troubleshooting.
• Manage and submit data for 401k annual audit and bi-annual true-up calculations.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations related to benefits.
• Collaborate with HR Business Partners and Talent Acquisition to provide guidance on benefits related issues.
• Maintain benefits data integrity within HRIS systems and generate reports as needed.
• Participate in compensation surveys and analyze results to recommend adjustments to pay structures.
• Assist Total Rewards Compensation Analyst with compensation updates as needed through annual benchmarking process.  

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance or related field preferred or equivalent of combination education and experience.
• 7 years of benefits administration or Total Rewards with a strong focus on benefits.
• SHRM-CP or PHR Certification preferred.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with attention to detail.
• Experience with HRIS
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge in benefit administration principles, practices and relevant labor laws.
• Ability to demonstrate sound judgement and effective communication skills (written and verbal).
• Ability to effectively manage stress, including competing work demands and multiple projects at the same time.
• Experience with pricing tools and compensation survey participation preferred.

Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies: 

• Customer Focus: Builds strong customer relationships and delivers customer-centric solutions.
• Manages Complexity: Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes, contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Plans and Aligns: Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals
• Communicates Effectively: Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences
• Collaboration: Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Courage: Steps up to address difficult issues, says what needs to be said.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position.  Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.  Work beyond 40 hours per week may be required. 

Cirrus is dedicated to a drug free work environment promoting equal employment opportunity.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, national origin, color, age, disability, religion, pregnancy, veteran status, marital and family status, sexual orientation, receipt of public assistance, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Our Benefits: Cirrus provides a range of exciting benefits, including:

• 401(k) Plan: Dollar-for-dollar match up to 5% after 90 days, with 100% vesting.
• Employer-Paid Coverages: Group term life, short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, vision, dental, with additional dependent coverage options.
• Free Health Tracking: With rewards for meeting health goals.
• Generous PTO: 120 hours accrued within the first year.
• Employee Referral Bonus: For referring talented candidates.
• Career Development: Tuition reimbursement and professional growth opportunities.
• Exclusive Discounts: Access to partner and marketplace discounts.
• Community & Engagement: Company and employee clubs at various locations.

These benefits are designed to support your well-being, growth, and enjoyment at Cirrus!