Sr. Specialist, Benefits

PACT Overview

Pact is an international nonprofit that works in nearly 40 countries building solutions for human development that are evidence-based, data-driven and owned by the communities we serve. Founded in 1971, Pact works with partners to build resilience, improve accountability, and strengthen knowledge and skills for sustainable social impact.

Department

Global Human Resources (HR) - Pact strives for a world where all people are heard, capable, and vibrant. The Global Human Resources team helps realize this objective by fostering a worldwide environment that inspires excellence where initiative, inventiveness, and professional development are encourages. We value innovation in our employees and believe it gives us a competitive advantage in this global marketplace. Our team focuses its resources and efforts on the lifecycle quality of employee activities with ongoing attention to: Employee engagement, professional development, rewards and recognition and organizational culture; Taking what might be complicated, distant, daunting and making it simple, understandable and workable; Finding ways to fulfill our intent for openness, transparency and accessibility of information, rather than control, restriction and containment; Ensuring cross-organizational collaboration, shared success and joint action.

Position Overview

On a global basis, the Senior Specialist, Benefits provides subject matter expertise on all domestic and international employee benefits programs, processes, policies, vendors, and other initiatives that enhance the organization’s ability to attract, retain and motivate a qualified workforce. The Senior Officer, Benefits works closely with the HR team and Pact’s benefit brokers and insurance vendors in all aspects of domestic and international benefits management including health, dental, vision, life/AD&D, voluntary life, FSA, executive benefits, retirement plans and participant driven plans. The Senior Officer, Benefits develops and coordinates Wellness plans and initiatives and oversees adherence to strict regulations regarding the Department of Labor, IRS, ERISA and Health Care reform.  S/he provides guidance and assistance to all locations on various employee benefit plans and develops cost control procedures to assure high quality, competitive benefit plans in the most cost-effective manner for employees and employer. The Senior Officer, Benefits may partner with local country offices in selecting and procuring in-country benefits.

Key Responsibilities

• Serves as a member of the Human Resources team collaborating on the development of HR activities, policies, strategy and annual departmental goals.
• Manages Pact’s US Domestic and Global benefit programs including design, compliance, communications, and administration for employee benefits programs, renewals, and open enrollments.
• Manages Pact's 403(b) retirement plans for US Domestic and global employees.
• Works with the Sr. HR Manager and brokers to evaluate and recommend changes to benefit programs maintaining a competitive posture in the marketplace.
• Advises HR Staff on benefit plans, policies and rules, and conduct research when necessary.
• Maintains compliance with ERISA, DOL and IRS in relation to all benefits plans.
• Ensures compliance for Pact's retirement plans, distributions are done in a timely matter, leads audits, and participates in the investment committee.
• Manages all domestic and global benefit inquiries and issues to ensure quick, equitable and courteous resolution.
• Orients HQ and Global staff to Pact benefits programs.
• Conducts periodic and ad-hoc benefit surveys, compile benefits-related statistics and census data, and summarize survey information to support benefits recommendations.
• Develops and provides detailed reports as required.
• Stays abreast of benefits best practices through participation in surveys, networking, and attending seminars.
• Participates in cross functional team meetings when a presence in a new country is being established.
• Develops benefit communications such as plan documents, plan changes, presentations and employee communication and notices.
• Partners with the finance/payroll team as appropriate on administration of benefit programs.
• Implements new and enhanced benefit programs to support the Total Rewards strategy.
• Assists benchmarking efforts by providing on-going analysis in support of determining market competitiveness of global benefit programs.
• Coordinates and supports the preparation of government filings such as Form 5500, Summary Annual Reports and Non-Discrimination testing; revises plan documents and SPDs in accordance with plan design changes and federal and state legislation.
• Manages the relationship with benefit vendors promptly addressing service issues.
• Running reports from Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS).
• Reconciling carrier invoices on a monthly basis and ensuring invoices are paid prior to carrier's monthly due date.
• Preparing spreadsheets for reportable billing issues, including premium discrepancies, terminations and qualifying events.
• Performs complete audits of billings every six months.
  Identifying and reporting findings of benefit account variances, including enrollment and/or terminations
• Employee complies with all company policies and procedures, including completing all compliance training topics by the deadline to satisfy each and receiving the corresponding acknowledgment statement that the training has been completed.
• All other duties as assigned

Basic Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with at least six (6+) years work experience.

• ADP Workforce Now experience, required.

• Excellent organizational and analytical skills. Ability to conduct research and participate in salary surveys to benchmark and learn industry best practices.

• Demonstrated sensitivity in handling confidential information.

• Ability to understand and apply local country regulations/laws to human resources.

• Outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively both in groups as well as independently. Self-motivated and able to work independently and as part of a team.

• Excellent customer service, with the ability to present information, make recommendations and influence positively across various levels of the organization while exercising professionalism and diplomacy to accomplish objectives.

• Demonstrated competence in employee benefits, compensation, employee relations, performance management and human resource practices and related laws and regulations.

• Ability to manage complex projects, prioritize multiple tasks with close attention to detail and accuracy and meet deadlines.

• Exceptional ability to communicate, both orally and in writing oral and written communication skills.

• Strong knowledge of all aspects of Benefits planning, legislation and compliance including ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, and Section 125, 403(b) required.

• Demonstrated knowledge of employee health and welfare benefits associated processes and procedures.

• Working knowledge of, federal and/or state regulations affecting the administration of broad-based or statutory benefit and retirement/pension plans.

• Strong problem solving and analytical skills; the ability to build solid relationships with the management team, HR team, cross-functional internal partners and external providers/vendors.

• Experience and fluency with Human Resource Information Systems.

• Fluency in English required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in an international development organization.
• Experience in HR focusing on benefits strategy, communication, implementation, and administration of plans.
• Experience developing Wellness plan a plus.