Benefit & Wellness Analyst

Description:

The analyst supports M&A activities by evaluating acquired company benefit programs, performing comparative analysis to align offerings with existing plans, supporting integration planning, and participating in on-site transition activities as required. The analyst independently drives process enhancements, identifies operational gaps, proposes solutions, and implements updates in a fast-paced environment.

COMPENSATION: At Spencer Fane, we carefully consider a wide range of factors when determining compensation, including but not limited to location, skillset, experience, training, licenses, certifications and other business or organizational needs. Compensation will be determined based on the above factors along with the requirements of the position. We expect the starting salary to be between $80,000-$100,000.

BENEFITS: Medical, Vision, Dental, PTO, 401k, Life, Disability

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsible for day-to-day administration, compliance, and communication of health & welfare and retirement plans in accordance with company policies and strategies.
Serves as the primary point of contact for all benefit processes and documentation.
Collaborate with HR peers to establish best practices and maintain standardized operating procedures for benefits administration.
Develops, implements, evaluates, and revises internal processes to increase operational efficiency and reduce costs.
Conducts benefit due diligence for M&A activity, including analysis of acquired benefit plans, comparison to current Total Rewards programs, and identification of integration requirements.
Supports end-to-end M&A benefits integration, including timelines, employee communications, vendor coordination, and travel to acquired locations for onsite education and transition support.
Coordinates retirement committee meetings, including scheduling, material preparation, minute-taking, and distribution of follow-up communications.
Partners with benefit brokers and vendors to ensure proper employee enrollment, coverage accuracy, and timely resolution of provider disputes.
Manages benefits billing and invoices, Summary Plan Description (SPD) review and distribution, payroll deductions, contributions auditing, and reconciliation.
Conducts monthly benefit deduction audits to ensure accurate enrollment and payroll processing; manages premium arrears reporting, communication, and payroll adjustments.
Prepares and coordinates vendor review activities in partnership with the benefits broker.
Supports compliance activities, including standard audits and federal/state reporting requirements.
Oversee the administration of COBRA compliance.
Administers the company’s Be Well wellness program, including development of the annual wellness calendar and coordination of all program activities.
Partners with insurance carriers, the EAP vendor, and the broker to design and deliver a comprehensive, data-informed wellness strategy.
Leads wellness communications, engagement initiatives, and incentive programs while ensuring compliance with HIPAA and applicable regulations.
Analyzes participation and health-related metrics to evaluate wellness program effectiveness and recommend continuous improvements.
Prepares benefit dashboards and reporting (enrollment statistics, cost trends, claims data, census information) in collaboration with the benefits broker.
Performs ongoing audits of benefit programs to ensure adherence to plan guidelines.
Provides analytical insights to support benefit program design, implementation, and continuous improvement.
Supports the development, communication, and delivery of wellness programs and engagement initiatives.
Prepares annual IRS reporting (Affordable Care Act) with broker support and ensures compliance with ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA, and IRS requirements.
Monitors and manages the internal compliance calendar and documentation related to federal, state, and local benefit-related laws, including the Form 5500 and PCORI fees.
Trains HR team members on benefits programs, processes, and initiatives.
Identifies opportunities for process improvements and assists with the development and communication of policies and procedures supporting benefits compliance and operations.
Participates in external benefit survey submissions and conducts related data analysis.
Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business or related discipline preferred.

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:

Experience: Minimum of 5+ years of experience in benefits and retirement (401k) administration, including execution of ERISA-governed plans and other regulatory requirements. Demonstrated background managing benefit operations, reporting, and compliance audits in a corporate environment. Working knowledge of HCM system configurations for benefits programs, including eligibility rules, plan setup, automated workflows, and payroll deduction code alignment, ensuring accurate enrollment processing and compliance with policy and regulatory requirements.
Technical Expertise: Advanced knowledge of benefit program offerings, employee elections, and administration of plan designs in accordance with Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs). Strong proficiency in MS Word, PowerPoint, and advanced Excel, including macros, charting, VLOOKUP, pivot tables, and regression analysis. Experience conducting benefit deduction audits and interpreting deduction codes tied to compliance and IRS reporting.
Analytical & Problem-Solving: Demonstrated ability to perform independent, in-depth analysis of benefit data, identify trends, reconcile discrepancies, and present clear findings. Applies sound judgment in evaluating benefit issues and determining appropriate resolutions. Strong understanding of government regulations governing benefit and retirement plans.
Communication & Collaboration: Supports the development and distribution of benefit program communications, including open enrollment materials and wellness program materials. Provides benefit plan interpretation, guidance, and counsel to employees, managers, and internal partners. Ability to present complex information clearly and concisely to inform and educate management.
Workflow Management & Operational Efficiency: Proven ability to manage multiple tasks, maintain accuracy, and meet deadlines in fast-paced environments. Demonstrated success supporting annual enrollment, ongoing administration, and compliance activities with consistent attention to detail and process integrity.
Independence, Initiative & Accountability: Works independently with minimal supervision, proactively identifies issues, recommends improvements, and ensures timely completion of responsibilities. Maintains strong accountability for data accuracy, regulatory compliance, and follow-through on all benefit operations.
Professionalism & Confidentiality: Detail-oriented and dependable with a strong commitment to protecting sensitive employee and benefits information. Demonstrates discretion, reliability, and adherence to confidentiality requirements.