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Senior Benefits Specialist, Health & Welfare

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The Washington Post

1mo ago

  • Job
    Full-time
    Senior Level
  • Consulting
    People, HR & Administration
  • Washington
  • Quick Apply

AI generated summary

  • You need a bachelor’s degree, 7 years in benefits admin, knowledge of ACA/COBRA/ERISA, experience with benefits programs, strong communication skills, project management expertise, and analytical abilities.
  • You will manage health and welfare benefits, oversee enrollment, ensure compliance, resolve employee issues, educate staff, analyze trends, and coordinate vendor relations and payments.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance or related field
  • 7 years of benefits administration experience or an equivalent combination of experience and education
  • Knowledge of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), COBRA, ERISA, HIPAA, and other federal and state regulations
  • Experience with the full range of benefits administration, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, flexible spending accounts (FSA), Health Savings Accounts (HSA), and other employee welfare programs
  • Experience with end-to-end open enrollment processes, vendor management, and benefits compliance; experience with Workday benefits module preferred
  • Expertise in benefits communication and employee education, including creating and delivering presentations and written materials
  • Project management skills and proven track record of handling large, complex benefits programs, e.g., during benefits open enrollment and plan design changes
  • Excellent customer service skills
  • Strong analytical skills
  • Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters and balance empathy for employees with plan rules and limitations
  • Ability to automate processes and improve efficiencies

Responsibilities

  • Oversee day-to-day operations of U.S. health and welfare benefit programs by ensuring accurate and timely enrollment, changes, and terminations in benefit plans.
  • Lead open enrollment by testing systems configuration, developing communications and educational materials, coordinating with vendors, and troubleshooting employee issues.
  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local legal requirements for health & welfare plans by monitoring regulatory changes, obtaining legal opinions, preparing and submitting legally required filings, coordinating plan amendments, and distributing legally required notices.
  • Deliver excellent customer service and resolve employee benefits-related issues by researching benefit policies and procedures, enhancing data accuracy in applicable systems and integrations, and coordinating with internal and external parties.
  • Educate employees about benefit programs by developing and maintaining communication materials and designing employee workshops.
  • Enhance employee engagement, satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness by maintaining working relationships with vendors and third-party administrators and recommending improvements to benefits programs and benefits delivery.
  • Support management decision making by preparing benefits utilization reports, analyzing trends, and recommending plan design enhancements, process changes, and wellness initiatives.
  • Execute plan design changes and wellness initiatives by coordinating with insurance carriers, managing open enrollment and wellness events, verifying system changes, and updating employee communication materials.
  • Complete payments to benefit providers by researching and reconciling employee and carrier reports, requesting benefit payments, and reconciling benefits accounts.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of federal and state regulations (ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, FMLA, COBRA, etc.) and ensure compliance across all benefits offerings.

FAQs

What is the role of the Senior Benefits Specialist?

The Senior Benefits Specialist administers various U.S.-based health and welfare plans, ensures compliance with regulations, assists with plan design and implementation, and provides support to employees regarding benefits-related inquiries.

What qualifications are required for this position?

The position requires a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field, along with 7 years of benefits administration experience or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

What experience is preferred for this role?

Preferred experience includes knowledge of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), COBRA, ERISA, HIPAA, and other federal and state regulations, as well as end-to-end open enrollment processes and experience with Workday benefits module.

Is there a specific location for this position?

Yes, this position is based in our DC office.

What is the salary range for the Senior Benefits Specialist position?

The salary range for this position is $85,100.00 - $127,700.00 USD annually, depending on individual skills, experience, and qualifications.

What types of employee benefits are offered?

Comprehensive benefits include competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage, a company-paid pension and 401(k) match, parental leave, robust mental health resources, and more.

Are there opportunities for professional development?

Yes, the company offers leadership and career development programs to support employee growth.

How does the position contribute to employee engagement and satisfaction?

The Senior Benefits Specialist enhances employee engagement by developing communication materials, educating employees about benefits, and maintaining relationships with vendors to recommend improvements to benefits programs.

What skills are essential for this role?

Essential skills include strong analytical capabilities, project management skills, excellent customer service, attention to detail, and the ability to automate processes and improve efficiencies.

Is there any flexibility in the work schedule?

While the job is based in our DC office, the specifics regarding hours and flexibility would be discussed during the interview process.

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The Washington Post

Entertainment & Media
Industry
1001-5000
Employees
1877
Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

The Washington Post is an award-winning news leader whose mission is to connect, inform, and enlighten local, national and global readers with trustworthy reporting, in-depth analysis and engaging opinions. The Post is as much a tech company as it is a media company, combining world-class journalism with the latest technology and tools so readers can interact with The Post anytime, anywhere. Our approach is always the same– shape ideas, redefine speed, take ownership and lead. Every employee, every project, every day.