Associate Director Benefits

Position Summary:

Collaborates on creation and implementation of competitive strategic and tactical plans and programs that address health & welfare, compliance and employee engagement and help to attract and retain highly-skilled talent for our organization.

(This will be a part-time, salaried position targeted to work around 32 hours a week)

Primary Responsibilities:

• Manages and administers leaves of absences to comply with Company policy and Federal and State statutory regulations and requirements.
• Responsible for compiling pay data for employees on all types of leave of absence (e.g.: medical, family, ADA Accommodation, Parental Leave Pay Benefit, Workers’ Compensation) to ensure accurate and timely pay each pay period, when appropriate.
• Works with People & Performance leadership and/or Legal on leave of absence and related employee relations issues.
• Back-up point of contact to work with employees, managers, People & Performance leadership, and/or Legal as appropriate on ADA accommodation requests and issue resolution.
• Manages and administers the 401k plan, ensuring compliance with all statutory regulations and requirements.
• Provides employee and management support related to the 401k program, including assisting with inquiries and troubleshooting issues.
• Collaborates with internal department team and external consultants, vendors and internal departments on benefits strategic planning and on the annual benefits open enrollment process.
• Contributes to the development and implementation of plan changes, as necessary, to ensure benefit plans are competitive, compliant and meet service level standards.
• Collaborates on the development of employee communication programs using various media to keep employees informed about company benefit plans and changes.
• Assists with ensuring all benefits documentation including plan documents, amendments and summary plan descriptions; assures plans are in compliance with legal and ERISA requirements
• Participates in the review of, and ensures the timely filing of Form 5500 and other related regulatory requirements.
• Assists with the tracking and analysis of benefits costs, pricing and projections
• Collaborates on the management of the Benefits Enrollment System; ensures data integrity and regularly reports associated metrics.
• Collaborates with department team to complete updates to benefits-related information for new hire orientation and during open enrollment periods.
• Back up point of contact for ensuring accurate and timely processing of monthly reconciliation of premium invoices.
• Works closely with payroll to ensure correct processing of benefit enrollment and deduction information.
• Provides on-going benefits administration and support to all employees.
• Works closely with internal department team and benefits consultants and third party administrators to research and resolve claim related issues.
• Works closely with HRIS, Payroll, and Benefits providers to ensure accuracy of enrollments, payroll deductions, billings, and file feed integrations.
• Assists with COBRA administration
• Assists with the maintenance of benefit information on the benefit website and/or Company communication platform
• Supports HIPAA and SOX compliance initiatives.
• Ensure integrity of all HRIS data and processes related to position; recommends and implements solutions to optimize their use in support of Benefits & People Operations.
• Provides project support for various health and welfare initiatives and ad hoc projects as needed (e.g. transitions to new carriers/vendors, implementation of new plans/programs, health and welfare surveys.
• Assists with development and implementation of Wellness initiatives and programs.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Education/Experience/Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Human Resources or related.  Benefits certification preferred.  An equivalent combination of relevant education and applicable job experience may be considered.  Minimum 8 years’ of progressive responsibility in benefits and program management.  Experience within a pharmaceutical/biotech/high tech environment strongly desired.  International benefits experience a plus.
• Affordable Care Act requirements.
• In depth knowledge and understanding of all Federal and California State laws in relation to leaves of absence and ADA Accommodation regulations as well as insight into multi state issues.
• Managing on-line benefit enrollment systems.
• Creating employee value propositions and/or employer branding.
• Data compilation and submission of statutory federal and state health and welfare reporting.
• Managing outside benefit vendors.
• Building effective relationships with all levels of an organization.
• Handling sensitive/confidential information.
• Complying with related federal and state laws/regulations.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office software applications.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, see, talk or hear in a standard office environment. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds.