Associate Director of Benefits

Reports to: Director of HR (NY)
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Responsible for delivery of all health and welfare programs and management of the defined contribution retirement plans, including policy formulation, communication, cost management and resource controls, management reporting, technology implementation, compliance, and monitoring the external environment.
• Manages 4-5 professionals (benefits assistant, temporary benefits analyst, senior benefits analyst, benefits supervisor and potentially a senior pension specialist) responsible for benefits administration and analysis, providing overall direction and supervision.
• Directs service activities including new hire benefits orientation; annual open enrollment; clarifying policies on benefits eligibility, coverage, and applicability of plan provisions; dealing with exceptional circumstances and unusual cases; collection and processing of enrollment data and claims information; benefits counseling and responses to partner, employee, and retiree inquiries.
• Reviews plans and proposes design modifications to meet changing market conditions, industry trends, new regulatory requirements, and Firm objectives.
• Evaluates new product and service offerings, and determines capabilities to integrate these products and services into existing plan offerings.
• Works with the Firm’s brokers to evaluate proposals from insurers.
• Stays continually apprised of vendors issues, gives direction for resolution, seeks consistency among multiple providers, and at times exerts pressure and negotiates to ensure benefit programs are being administered as intended. Leads the RFP analysis and negotiation process.
• Develops materials and communicates employee benefit programs, their plan provisions, and proper procedures to access these programs. Ensures compliance with ERISA standards for meeting legal compliance requirements for disclosure to plan participants.
• Provides benefit plan design knowledge and expertise to find optimal financial solutions for the Firm; works collaboratively with members of the finance department.
• Tracks monthly self-funded claims to determine deviation from budget.
• Manages all aspects of the Firm’s leave policies (FML, ADA, childcare, bar studies, etc.) that have a benefits impact.
• Works with Director of Human Resources to prepare the annual budget for all of the benefits plans and the benefits group.
• Manages and refines the benefits analysis and management reporting function as new requirements are mandated and other internal changes occur.
• Continuously reviews benefits trade periodicals and compliance publications to remain current on benefit plan legal requirements; and constantly monitors proposed benefits legislation, and pronouncements from regulatory agencies. Ensures operational compliance with governmental regulations (ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, DOL etc.). Oversees preparation of the 5500’s, SPDs, ACA filing, Workers’ Compensation filings, etc.
• Coordinates with branch offices to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of benefits and management of the benefits programs.
• Manages the implementation and ongoing maintenance of the Workday HCM Benefits module, in conjunction with HRIS and other departments. Participates in the development of policies and procedures for managing benefits data in Workday.
• Complies with, creates, maintains, and uses appropriate physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to guard Protected Health Information (“PHI”) maintained by the firm in full compliance with HIPAA and other applicable rules and regulations. This includes restricting access to PHI to those employees who need to know the information and obtaining PHI only after receiving written authorization by the covered individual; providing training to all benefit employees, supervisors/managers, and the HIPAA Privacy and Grievance Officers.
• Serves as advisor to Director of Human Resources in matters related to benefits, wellness, insurance and retirement programs and as an administrative member of the Firm’s Benefits Committee.
• Performs other tasks as required from time to time.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• 15 years’ relevant work experience, including 5-8 years managing people.
• Familiarity with international benefits administration, including government mandated pension and benefits plans.
• CEBS designation.
• General Human Resources Experience.

Qualifications:

• Very strong communication skills.
• Broad managerial skills.
• High level of technical expertise in a variety of specialty areas.
• In-depth knowledge of benefits management.
• Experience with HRIS systems; Workday a plus.
• Advanced Excel and Word skills.
• Ability to manage highly confidential and sensitive information.
• Must be available to report to work on regularly scheduled days and at the scheduled hour.