Senior Benefits Analyst

Lakeside HR Group has been engaged to recruit for a Senior Benefits Analyst/Specialist position. This is a hybrid role based in Prior Lake, Minnesota. The Senior Benefits Specialist is responsible for providing subject matter expertise and performing complex administrative processes related to plan compliance, team member education and team member service models that support the company's benefit, retirement and wellness strategies. The position will evaluate, analyze and interpret a variety of external and internal data to resolve benefit related issues and provide advice, solutions and recommendations to leadership. This position is also responsible for ensuring that enterprise benefit programs are consistently administered in compliance with internal policies and external regulations.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Serves as a benefits and retirement subject matter expert (SME) and consultation partner to internal HR and business leaders on benefit related activities and initiatives.
• Leads and manages all HR system set-up, maintenance, process improvement, reporting and vendor issue resolution related to benefit and retirement programs in partnership with cross functional teams including HR, Finance and IT.
• Builds and maintain effective relationships with benefits brokers, benefits, and retirement vendors, Wellness, and other key stakeholders.
• Plans, coordinates, and implements annual open enrollment, which includes, but is not limited to, communications, trainings, vendor updates, changes, and other related items.
• Develops and delivers benefit and retirement training materials and communications for in person and virtual platforms to Human Resources team, leaders, team members and employees on benefit-related topics, including, but not limited to, trends, regulations, administration, and projects.
• Acts as the primary contact for plan vendors, team members and employees for resolution of escalated or complex benefit and retirement plan questions or issues.
• Provides education and guidance on benefit programs and practices to other benefits team members. Mentor other benefits specialists or extended team members regarding benefits plans, processes, execution; customer service techniques, and best practices.
• Leads the development and update of benefit plan and summary plan documents, as well as process and procedural documentation.
• Identifies and recommends methods to update, simplify and enhance processes, procedures, and technologies. Actively identifies continuous improvement initiatives to ensure benefit programs and services are effectively delivered.
• Responsible for staying abreast of employee benefits trends and developments, and recommending nature and timing of benefit plan improvements.
• Maintains internal team member and employee communication portals and systems with the most current benefits information
• Acts in a consultative and project management role to define and implement program delivery. Identify process and systems implications of, and solutions to, new or modified programs and policies.

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in benefits.
• Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) certification preferred.
• Advanced understanding of ERISA and other regulatory requirements of benefit and retirement plans, employee benefits processes, compliance, and employer group insurance and investment industries.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel) Suite; strong Excel experience.
• Experience with human capital management systems such as UKG (formerly UltiPro), Ceridian, ADP, etc.
• Superior customer services skills with effective verbal and written communication skills to partner with all levels of Human Resources, leaders, team members, and vendors.
• Ability to understand and analyze data to tell a story.
• Ability to solve problems through innovative solutions and sound judgement.
• Must possess a continuous improvement mindset; identify, recommend, and improve current processes.
• Excellent time management skills and ability to handle multiple projects/priorities as well as adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to identify process improvements and take initiative to implement and document new/improved processes.
• Ability to develop communications and training materials and present at all levels of the organization.
• Strong collaborator who influences effectively with a variety of internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to have a point of view and the confidence and courage to constructively challenge assumptions even when unpopular, coupled with a high level of professionalism and the sophistication and finesse to push through issues while maintaining relationships.
• Basic understanding of the gaming industry preferred.