Senior Benefits Analyst

Our associates celebrate lives. We celebrate our associates.

JOB SUMMARY

This senior individual contributor is responsible for administering complex employee benefit programs while providing technical expertise, guidance, and operational leadership within the Benefits function.

Acts as a subject matter expert for health and welfare, retirement, leave, and related benefit programs, partnering with internal stakeholders, vendors, and other Benefits team members to ensure effective administration, compliance, and continuous improvement of the company employee benefits.

Supports broader benefit strategy, vendor management, and Total Rewards initiatives as needed researching, evaluating, and administering company benefit programs that attract and retain associates while ensuring compliance with all federal and state regulations.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the primary subject matter expert for one or more major benefit programs monitoring regulatory developments and recommend operational changes to maintain compliance.
• Lead annual Open Enrollment planning and execution, including project management, testing, communications, presentations, and post-enrollment follow-up.
• Support administration of the 401(k) plans, including plan operations and funding, audits, reconciliations, and compliance activities.
• Partner with communications and HR teams to deliver clear and engaging education and learning materials from internal and external sources to ensure programs are well understood, accessible, and valued by employees.
• Lead annual compliance activities and reporting requirements which may include ACA reporting, nondiscrimination testing, Form 5500 preparation, retirement plan compliance activities, and other regulatory filings to ensure organizational compliance and reduce risk exposure.
• Mentor and provide day-to-day guidance to Benefits Administrators on complex issues and departmental processes. Acts as a Tier 3 resource for responding to associate inquiries received through the Company's internal call center, which handles Tier 1 and 2 inquiries.
• Assist with vendor relationship management, issue escalation, and service delivery.
• Partner with Payroll, HRIS, Legal, Finance, vendors, and internal HR teams to resolve complex operational issues.
• Review weekly, monthly, or annual audits of payroll records, premium deductions, retirement contributions, carrier invoices, and system interfaces to ensure accurate associate deductions, timely remittance of payments, and proper financial reconciliation.
• Prepare regular reporting and analysis related to plan activity, participation, utilization, and vendor performance for leadership review.
• Develop, maintain, and improve departmental procedures and documentation.
• Coordinate benefit implementations, vendor transitions, and system enhancements.
• Lead testing for benefit system enhancements, integrations, and new program implementations Identify process improvement opportunities and lead implementation efforts.
• Coordinate and distribute all required benefit and retirement plan documentation, notices, disclosures, and participant communications in accordance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and other applicable federal and state regulations.
• Participate in benefit projects supporting operational excellence and associate experience.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education

• Equivalent combination of education, professional certifications, and progressively responsible employee benefits experience required.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.

Experience

• 5+ years of progressively responsible employee benefits administration experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of health and welfare, retirement, leave, and benefits compliance.
• Strong working knowledge of ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, FMLA, and applicable benefit regulations.
• Demonstrated experience leading Open Enrollment and benefit implementations.
• Experience working with HRIS platforms (Workday preferred).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to independently manage highly complex issues.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Advanced Excel skills preferred.
• CEBS, CBP, SHRM-CP/SCP, or PHR/SPHR certification preferred.

Postal Code: 77019

Category (Portal Searching): Human Resources

Job Location: US-TX - Houston