Job title: Benefits Specialist – USA & Canada

Company: Kainos

Job description: Our people love the exciting and meaningful work they do, the cutting-edge resources and technology they have access to, the benefits we offer and the great community we’ve built. Want to join them?

MAIN PURPOSE OF ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE BUSINESS:

The benefits specialist position is primarily responsible for directing and planning the day-to-day operations of group benefits programs (group health, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, worker’s compensation, life insurance, travel and accident plan, flexible spending plan, retirement plans, etc.) for the US and Canada. This position provides excellent customer service and supports the global benefits manager in the design of quality benefits plans.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Day-to-day management of external partnerships, ensuring Kainos receives high quality services in accordance with agreements in place. Be initial point of contact for negotiations with vendors and administrators.
• Work with Benefits Manager and Broker to evaluate best plans, options and rates including benefits renewals.
• Support and guide employees through the claims process providing valuable, accessible, and accurate information on Kainos’ benefit plans.
• Promote the Benefits and wellness programs to maximise impact for employees including workshops/informal education sessions.
• Develop clear and informative materials to help employees understand their benefits options.Ensure benefit plans comply with relevant laws and government regulations, such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Ensure timeliness and accuracy of required reporting and fees.
• Assist employees in understanding and navigating benefit changes that may occur during life events, such as marriage, childbirth, or retirement.
• Escalating to Global Benefits Manager as required.
• Coordinate transfer of data to external contacts for services, premiums, and plan administration.
• Evaluate and recommend changes to internal processes to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
• Document and maintain administrative procedures for assigned benefits processes.
• Coordinate daily benefits processing. Handle enrollments, COBRA, terminations, changes, beneficiaries, disability, accident and death claims, rollovers, QDROs, QMCSOs, distributions, loans, hardships and compliance testing.
• Oversee maintenance of employee benefits files, maintain group benefits database and update employee payroll records.
• Gather employee data and oversee the processing of monthly billings and the preparation of vouchers for payment of administrative fees for all group plans.
• Allocate group health and dental claims monthly and review quarterly.
• Monitor current benefits, evaluating the use, services, coverage, effectiveness, cost, plan experience and competitive trends in benefits programs, and identify the company’s stance.
• Perform plan audits. Prepare, collect, and organize data for actuarial assessments. Review data in conjunction with actuarial evaluation task forces.
• Review both short- and long-range cost estimates/projections and relevant statistical analyses regarding modifications in benefits programs and implementation of new programs.
• Complete benefits surveys and review information obtained from the results. Analyze complex benefits information and assist with future benefits designs with the Global Benefits Manager. Develop any recommendations for review by Global Benefits Manager and Head of Reward
• Monitor administrative costs of benefits programs and recommend cost containment strategies, including alternative methods for administration and funding. Prepare budgetary recommendations and assist in the monitoring, verifying and reconciling of budgeted funds.
• Design and distribute materials for benefits orientations, open enrollment and summary plan descriptions. Provide training and support to group benefits associates, home office associates and the field staff.
• Participate in final determinations, including any determination upon appeal of a denied claim for Plan benefits. Act as the Plan Administrator and Named Fiduciary of the Plans benefits for purposes of ERISA.
• Ensure compliance with COBRA and checks accurate; amend the Plans as necessary to ensure ongoing compliance with applicable law; prepare and file any required tax or governmental returns (including Form 5500 returns) relating to the Plans; determine if and when a valid election change has occurred; execute and retain required Plan and claims documentation; and take all other steps necessary to maintain and operate the Plans in compliance with applicable provisions of the Plans, ERISA, HIPAA, the Internal Revenue Code and other applicable federal and state laws.
• Manage and maintain the accuracy of Eligibility Reports.
• Manage and update Qualified Beneficiaries who have elected COBRA continuation coverage to the health plan, including, if necessary, on a retroactive basis, ensuring addresses are correct.
• Ensure consistent information between plan documents and carriers.
• Liaise with representatives from legal, tax, technology, audit as needed.
• Undertake ad hoc tasks as required by the Remuneration SME’S (inc Benefits Manager) to support the delivery of the overall Benefits strategy.
• Undertake ad hoc tasks as required by the People Operations team to support transformation journey.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Computer proficiency and technical aptitude with the ability to use Microsoft products, including PowerPoint & Excel; experience with HRIS and benefits databases.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment with associates.
• Effective planning and priority setting. Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously while working under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical skills and a thorough knowledge of plan designs.
• Ability to understand, evaluate and make judgement on proposals (RFPs).
• Knowledge of benefits contract language.
• Knowledge of all pertinent federal, state, and province regulations, filing and compliance requirements, both adopted and pending, affecting employee benefits programs, including the ACA, ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, Section 125, workers’ compensation, Medicare, OBRA, Social Security and DOL requirements.
• Excellent communication and organization skills.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resource management or related field, and three to five years of related benefits or employee benefits administration experience.
• SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP/PHR or SPHR and CEBS professional designations preferred.

WHO YOU ARE:

Our vision is to enable outstanding people to create digital solutions that have a positive impact on people’s lives. Our values aren’t abstract; they are the behaviours we expect from each other every day and underpin everything that we do. We expect everyone to display our values by being determined in how obstacles are overcome; honest when dealing with others; respectful of how you treat others; creative to find solutions to complex problems and cooperative by sharing information, knowledge and experience. These values, applied collectively, help to produce an outstanding Kainos person, team and culture.

Expected salary:

Location: Indianapolis, IN – Canada

Job date: Fri, 15 Sep 2023 23:09:40 GMT