Populus is an amazing company where our employees stay because they love their teams and the growth opportunities. Additionally, we offer a competitive 401K match, a generous paid time off package, and Health Benefits.
Our mission is to provide a broad range of quality financial products and services delivered with best-in-class customer service. We work and lead with integrity, and we celebrate employees who exemplify our values. Come join our team!
The Benefits Analyst is the subject matter expert for Populus’ benefit plans and is the primary point of contact for benefit plan and leave of absence (LOA) inquires. This role is responsible for all benefit billing administration and reconciliation, including resolving vendor billing discrepancies. The Benefits Analyst is also a key project resource for the annual Open Enrollment process, partnering with HRIS, Payroll, and field HRBPs. This role will lead routine and ad hoc benefits audits. This role contributes to overall benefit strategy by identifying potential improvements and changes to current plans to improve the benefit offerings.
Major Responsibilities
- Acts as subject matter expert and educates employees on benefit plans during New Hire Orientation, Open Enrollment, and via ad hoc email and phone inquiries
- Resolves and responds to benefit and LOA inquires, as the primary point of contact for employees; maintains the daily call log to capture activity
- Analyzes, investigates, and resolves vendor discrepancy reports and notifications; collaborates directly with benefit vendors, HRIS, and Payroll as necessary
- Calculates, processes, and tracks benefit arrears (LOA and Non-LOA); partners with payroll and HRIS to ensure employee records and benefit premiums are processed timely and accurately
- Partners with Benefits Manager to ensure a compliant and timely LOA process, maintaining LOA Tracker and reporting updates to HR leadership. Evaluates and provides recommendations for policy changes and updates.
- Acts as primary point of contact for LOA employees, including conducting phone calls and maintaining employee files and case notes
- Reviews and analyzes multiple benefits reports for weekly benefit audits as part of the weekly payroll process; partners with Payroll and HRIS to communicate and resolve issues as necessary
- Performs analysis of the 401(k) data weekly for accuracy and resolves any discrepancies. Prepares weekly 401(K) files for funding, including completing totals spreadsheet and downloading the Summary Payroll Register
- Leads Billing Reconciliation, including analyzing invoices and identifying and resolving issues in a timely manner, maintaining the billing tracker, and working directly with vendors regarding issues and payment confirmations; escalates identified issues to manager and director promptly
- Leads COBRA administrative tasks, including creating accounts, analyzing monthly reports, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws
- Administers Life Events, including reviewing, confirming, and approving benefit elections
- Conduct monthly 401(K) audits to ensure regulatory compliance
- Updates employee records in MyHR based on routine and ad hoc employee audits
- Acts as key project resource for the annual Open Enrollment process, including the planning and preparation, during the live OE sessions, and post OE audit/clean-up
- Develop and maintain partnerships with vendors and field HRBP’s
- Processes Medical Support Orders timely and ensures compliance
Key Competencies
- Analytical
- Confidentiality & Discretion
- Detail Oriented
- Organized
- Strong written and verbal communication
- Problem Solving
- Teamwork
- Relationship Management
Interactions
Direct Report Title - N/A
Indirect Report Title - N/A
Other Internal/External Interactions
- HR, Payroll, and Benefits team; Field and Corporate Employees
- External vendors
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in human resources management, Business Management, or related field preferred
- 5+ years of experience within Benefits Administration required
- Solid understanding of group self-funded plans, Health and Welfare, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, ACA, and Worker’s Compensation (required)
- Knowledge of all pertinent federal and state regulations, filing, and compliance requirements, including ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, ACA, SECTION 125, Medicare, and Social Security (required)
- Intermediate proficiency in MS Suite, especially Excel, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint (required)
- Experience managing multiple projects and tasks with imminent deadlines (required)
- Benefit vendor management experience strongly preferred
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the major responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, or walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop or bend; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 lbs.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position, days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. This position might require long hours and weekend work.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in some work environments can be moderate.
Disclaimer
The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted, as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.
EEO Statement
Populus Financial Group, Inc. provides an equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.