IMI CIB - Human Resources Benefits Specialist

Scope and Purpose

• Design, recommend and implement new benefits programs; examine possible plan designs and benefits cost updates.
• Forecast trends and assist with future benefits design; develop specific recommendations for review by management.
• Serve as the main point of contact to explain and answer inquiries from employees and escalate as necessary with benefits broker and vendors.
• Primary contact for plan vendors and third-party administrators.
• Coordinate transfer of data to external contacts for benefit services, premium allocation and plan administration.
• Document and maintain administrative procedures for assigned benefits processes, assist in the Employee Handbook update of benefits related matters
• Ensure compliance with applicable government regulations and the timeliness and accuracy of required reporting
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable state, federal and city laws to ensure the company's compliance with all applicable regulations to provide HR policy guidance and interpretation
• Manage benefits enrollments, changes and terminations, COBRA guidance and registration, beneficiary designations, disability, accident and death claims, rollovers, QDROs, QMCSOs, distributions, loans, hardships and compliance testings; coordinate daily benefits processing.
• Oversee maintenance of employee benefits files, maintain group benefits database and update employee payroll records where necessary.

• Examine employee data pursuant to cost allocation of monthly billings and the preparation of invoices for payment of administrative fees for all group plans.
• Work collaboratively with Vendor Management to ensure that vendor contracts are complete and updated
• Negotiate contracts, evaluate vendor performance, and ensure that service levels and cost targets are met.
• Responsible for the annual plan audits; prepare, collect and organize data for actuarial assessments and review data in conjunction with external auditors.
• Manage the Defined Contributions and Defined Benefit Plans including, profit sharing and true-up preparation along with the annual 5500 filings.
• Organize, plan and conduct employee onboarding orientation sessions for newly hired staff
• Oversee the Leave of Absences programs: FMLA, PFL, Disability, etc.
• Main point of contact with Financial Advisors.

Required Experience

•    Minimum of 7 years hands-on experience in Human Resources Benefits Administration
•    Experienced in developing and implementing HR benefits policies and procedures that comply with federal, state and local laws.
•    Experienced in 401(k) and ADP.
•    Expertise in explaining retirement benefit plan policies, procedures, and legal requirements to eligible employees or their beneficiaries.
•    Practical experience conducting presentations for employee plan participants or leading individual interviews with employees regarding their benefit options.
•    Ability to interact with all levels of management and staff in a professional organization

Competencies Required

• Strong experience in managing and administering US benefits for an international organization
• Strong analytical skills and a thorough knowledge of plan designs.
• Ability to understand, evaluate and make judgment on proposals (RFPs).
• Thorough knowledge of benefits contract language.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) to interface with a diverse, international employee population
• Practical expertise in drafting HR policies and procedures, and translating legal documentation.
• Capacity to exercise independent judgment with discretion while utilizing company policies and practices in line with employment regulations to determine appropriate action
• Excellent PC skills with a proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel

Required Qualifications, Skills and Knowledge

• Undergraduate Degree with a strong focus in Human Resources and related professional/HR work experience required
• HR and CEBS Certifications strongly preferred
• Knowledge of all pertinent federal and state regulations, filing and compliance requirements, both adopted and pending, that may affect employee benefits programs, including the ACA, ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, Section 125, workers' compensation, Medicare, Social Security and DOL requirements.
• Extensive knowledge and experience managing defined contributions and defined benefit plans, including accountability for the annual 5500 filings, profit sharing and true-up, etc
• Solid understanding of laws, regulations, and company policies related to group plans
• Expertise in explaining retirement benefit plan policies, procedures, and legal requirements to eligible employees or their beneficiaries.

The salary range for this job offer would be $ 90,000 - $ 140,000