Human Resources Benefits Manager; Orleans, LA

The Benefits Manager position is responsible for directing and planning the day-to-day operations of group benefit programs (group health, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, compensation, 403(b) plan and 457 plan and all other retirement and total rewards plans. Provide excellent customer service (client and customer-centric). Investigate new benefit & compensations programs, improve existing programs, supervise and monitor benefit & compensation administration.

Design employee benefit & compensation plans. Provide analytical and technical support in the proactive delivery of the benefit and employee leave programs and services. Understand new total rewards market trends and partner/lead relationship with third-party benefits vendor/administrator. The Total Rewards Manager will also serve as the primary contact for employees, helping them understand and navigate their compensation plan and benefits options.

• Research employee compensation, benefit plans and vendors to identify those that present the best value.
• Design, recommend and implement benefit & compensation programs.
• Management of the benefit plan renewal process & compensation strategy.
• Negotiate with vendor or administrator for renewal.
• Collect experience data from available resources.
• Examine possible plan design or benefit cost changes.

Serve as primary contact for plan vendors and third-party administrators. Determine the best plan options by working with the third-party administrators. Coordinate transfer of data to external contacts for services, premiums and plan administration. Work effectively to make sure the plans run smoothly. Investigate discrepancies and provide information in non-routine situations.

• Evaluate and revise internal processes to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
• Document and maintain administrative procedures for assigned benefit & compensation processes.
• Ensure proper distribution of assignments and responsibilities.
• Plan, schedule, and direct work.
• Ensure compliance with applicable government regulations.
• Assure timeliness and accuracy of required filings.
• Develop long-range objectives regarding benefit programs in conjunction with the benefits team.
• Organize implementation of global projects: including total compensation, mergers and acquisitions, and HIPAA, as they relate to group benefit issues.

• Coordinate daily benefit processing
• Enrollments, COBRA, terminations, changes, beneficiaries, disability, accident and death claims, rollovers, distributions, hardships, compliance testing.
• Oversee maintenance of employee benefit files and updating of employee payroll records.
• Gather employee data and oversee the processing of monthly billings.
• Implement and maintain Group Benefits databases. Prepare regular benefit reports extracting data from the database.
• Provide technical support, test system functionality and work with end users to provide system support and troubleshoot system problems.

Analyze the current compensation & benefits plans, evaluating the usage, services, coverage, effectiveness, cost, plan experience, and competitive trends in benefits programs and identify the company’s stance.

• Perform plan audits outside of third-party audits.
• Prepare, collect, and organize data for actuarial assessments. Review data in conjunction with actuarial evaluation.
• Review both short- and long-range cost estimates/ projections and relevant statistical analyses regarding modifications in benefit programs and implementation of new programs.
• Survey industry trends. Complete benefit surveys and review information obtained from the results. Analyze complex benefit information. Forecast trends and assist with future benefit designs. Develop specific recommendations for review by management.
• Monitor administrative costs of benefit programs and recommend cost containment strategies including alternative methods for administration and funding. Prepare budgetary recommendations and assist in the monitoring, verifying and reconciling of budgeted funds.

• Provide customer service support to internal and external customers.
• Develop proactive communication tools to enhance understanding of the company’s benefits package.
• Design and distribute materials for benefit orientations, open enrollment and summary plan descriptions.
• Create and conduct presentations using audiovisual tools including power point and videos.
• Provide training and support to employees.

• Knowledge of company policies and procedures is preferred.
• Excellent communication and organization skills are required.
• Must be able to interact cordially and productively with a variety of people at all levels.
• Must be able to market Goodwill and explain the mission to the general public.
• Must be able to read, write and…