Benefits Analyst

Benefits Analyst I

IES Holdings is adding a Benefits Analyst I to our Corporate HR team. This role supports benefits administration and analysis across all IES divisions. We are looking for someone with genuine benefits knowledge, strong analytical instincts, and the confidence to work independently — someone who spots trends before they become problems and takes ownership without waiting to be directed.

• Audit Benefit enrollments and payroll deductions for accuracy.
• Evaluate employee inquiries to determine the validity of potential errors; escalated confirmed issues for resolution and provide clear, policy‑based explanations when no error is identified.
• Review inbound benefit vendor file transmissions to quickly distinguish isolated data issues from broader system problems, keeping processes proactive rather than reactive.
• Identify trends across employee inquiries from multiple divisions; when the same question surfaces repeatedly, treat it as a signal to investigate and fix the root cause.
• Support system implementations by helping test, validate, and configure benefits‑related workflows.

• Process enrollments, life event changes, terminations, and COBRA notifications accurately and on time.
• Reconcile monthly carrier invoices against enrollment data and partner with Finance on timely payment.
• Support open enrollment from system setup through post‑enrollment audit.
• Maintain benefits plan documents, SPDs, and compliance records in accordance with ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, and FMLA requirements.
• Assist our Retirement Benefits Specialist with general 401(k) inquiries, trending requests for educational opportunities and audit clean‑up activities.

• Serve as a knowledgeable point of contact for benefits questions from employees across all IES divisions—corporate and field—resolving issues or escalating appropriately.
• Communicate benefits information clearly to a diverse workforce.

In this role you will engage third‑party carriers, third‑party administrators (TPAs), and brokerage partners to resolve claims disputes and coverage discrepancies, ensuring accurate and timely resolution for employees.

• 0–3 years of experience in benefits, HR, or a related analytical role; backgrounds in benefits consulting (e.g., Mercer) or corporate HR are both welcome.
• Genuine understanding of how benefits work end‑to‑end — plan structures, payroll deduction schedules, carrier file flows, and eligibility rules.
• Excel proficiency sufficient to compare data sets, review file specs, and spot anomalies; no need to build files from scratch but must be comfortable working with them.
• Detail‑oriented with strong organizational skills to manage multiple benefit programs, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously.
• Proficient in using benefit and retirement plan administration software and tools, as well as Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive employee information with integrity.
• Strong communication skills — able to explain benefits concepts clearly to employees at all levels and across corporate and field divisions.
• Self‑starter who takes ownership, follows through, and doesn’t wait for every task to be assigned.
• Working knowledge of ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, COBRA, and FMLA.

• Experience with HRIS platforms such as UKG, Workday, ADP, or Dayforce; prior exposure to an implementation or system transition is a strong plus.
• Familiarity with benefits broker relationships and multi‑carrier environments.
• Experience supporting open enrollment planning and execution.
• CEBS coursework or HR certifications (PHR, SHRM‑CP) a plus.

• Own a meaningful portion of day‑to‑day benefits operations without requiring constant direction.
• Demonstrate trend awareness — connecting dots across divisions to surface and resolve issues proactively.
• Be fully prepared to support open enrollment and any future HRIS implementation.
• Have built strong working…