Benefits Specialist - Hybrid

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This position requires the selected candidate to reside in Michigan and work onsite at our Grand Rapids location three (3) days per week and remote two days per week.

This role is primarily a benefits strategy and administration position. While Workday experience is preferred, this is not an HRIS implementation or system‑only role.

This role will oversee the design, implementation, administration, communication, and ongoing evaluation of the organization's benefits programs, policies, and procedures. It ensures benefits program supports the organization's business objectives and meets all legal requirements. The role oversees benefits planning and programs including health and welfare, retirement and leave of absence programs. It ensures administration and maintenance of employee records, databases and systems including the HRIS (Workday) in connection to Benefits.

Must adhere to the organizational Policies, Procedures, Code of Ethics, and all licensing and accreditation standards of the position. Must represent the organization’s Mission in all actions and communications.

• Design, recommend, and administer all employee insurance programs including all health insurance plans, life, disability, and accident.
• Manage employee savings plans which include the organization’s 403(b) plan.
• Responsible for directing and planning the day-to-day operations of group benefits programs (group health, dental, vision, short‑term and long‑term disability, worker's compensation, life insurance, travel and accident plan, flexible spending plan, retirement plans, etc.).
• Collect and compile key HR metrics and data from relevant sources. Analyze trends and patterns with attention towards enrollment, utilization, absenteeism, leaves, recruitment, motivation, turnover and compliance.
• Prepare reporting of data including presentation, explanation and relative recommendations for Senior Leadership.
• Coordinate and oversee benefits enrollment events and administration of employee benefit plans including Open Enrollment planning, administration, and implementation.
• Develop and manage Wellness Programs, including wellness platform, offerings and communications.
• Effectively interpret Family Medical Leave Act and Americans with Disabilities Act implications as they relate to leaves of absence/disabilities while managing the administration of leave‑of‑absence requests and disability paperwork and coordinating with third‑party carriers.
• Act as Retirement Savings Plan Administrator including processing of rollovers, Qualified Minimum Distributions, loans, compliance testing and annual compliance audits.
• Conduct employee surveys, census, and other research and demographic efforts required to collect accurate quotes from benefit providers and compensation planning.
• Work with vendors to develop and launch communication plans to provide education and promotion of features surrounding benefits, wellness programs and initiatives including changes and developments related to eligibility, coverage and provisions.
• Manage the administration of Federal and State Loan Repayment programs.
• Process Qualified Medical Support Orders, ensuring compliance at hire and subsequent Open Enrollments.
• All other duties as assigned.

• Ensure compliance with all Federal, State and Local employment laws and regulations, including but not limited to;
  Affordable Care Act, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 5500, FLSA and ensure conducted/communicated timely and accurately as required by requesting agency.
• Maintain the HRIS system ensuring the accuracy of benefit data, including vendor interfaces, data integrity and addressing/correcting errors.
• Reconcile monthly benefit invoices.
• Perform plan audits in conjunction with broker. Prepare, collect and organize data for actuarial assessments. Review data in conjunction with actuarial evaluation task forces.
• In conjunction with payroll, participate in accurate and timely delivery of employer contributions and employee payroll deductions to carriers, plan administrators, or…