Benefits and Compensation Strategist

Function Description:

The Benefits and Compensation Strategist will be responsible for the critical analysis of benefit plans, design, and research to ensure cost effectiveness for employees and the organization. This role will analyze benefit utilization to provide employees with education on benefits and make suggestions for necessary changes. The Benefits and Compensation Strategist will process payroll, analyze job descriptions against internal and external data to make salary suggestions, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. This role requires the employee to maintain the highest level of confidentiality, accuracy, and integrity while supporting the organization’s commitment to employee satisfaction and operational excellence.

Reports to:Manager - Human Resources

Supervisory or Managerial Responsibility:None              

Contacts:On a routine basis interacts with internal staff, managers, and executives. Auditors, examiners, government agencies, and vendors.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates Bellco’s Act Nice Behaviors and Core Values in all interactions with members, prospective members, and personnel in other Bellco departments
• Responds to inquiries related to payroll and benefits with accuracy and in a timely manner.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local legal requirements including wage and hour laws, payroll tax regulations, garnishments, withholding requirements, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA reporting, IRS regulations and DOL requirements by advising management on needed actions.
• Processes biweekly and off-cycle payrolls accurately and on schedule for all employees.

• Reconciles payroll reports and general ledger accounts.
• Prepares year-end payroll activities including W-2 processing and payroll audits.
• Conducts pay equity analysis at intervals throughout the year.
• Levels and prices new roles and makes recommendations for compensation changes to ensure internal and external equity.
• Administers employee health, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, wellness, voluntary and supplemental benefit programs.
• Coordinates new hire enrollment, qualifying life event changes and annual open enrollment.
• Serves as a liaison between employees and benefit vendors.
• Processes benefits invoices and reconciles billing statements.
• Educates employees regarding available benefit programs and eligibility requirements.
• Administers, tracks, and communicates leaves, ADA accommodations, workers’ compensation and other applicable leave programs.
• Analyzes benefit utilization and implements necessary education and communication to increase participation. Makes recommendations for changes to plans as necessary.
• Completes annual audits/exams/testing related to areas of responsibility.
• Makes recommendations for benefits plan design changes and implements all changes related to benefits.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

Skills:Oral and written communication skills.  Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, effectively managing multiple projects/tasks.  Thorough knowledge of payroll processing and payroll tax regulations. Working knowledge of employee benefits administration and applicable employment laws.

Core Responsibilities:

• Be available to work as scheduled and report to work on time.
• Be willing to accept supervision and work well with others.
• Comply with all organizational policies, the Employee Handbook, Code of Conduct, and required annual training.
• Fosters an inclusive workplace where diversity and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission of the organization.
• Adheres to safe working practices and always follows all organizational safety policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates compliance with all state, federal and all other regulatory agency requirements.
• Ensure strict confidentiality of all records and PII.

Core Values:

BE ETHICAL AND DEMONSTRATE INTEGRITY:Treat others with respect, dignity and” tough love.” It’s about character and influence, not about a title. Be honest and direct. Challenge ourselves and each other to reach our full potential.

BE ACCOUNTABLE:Lead by example. You are the reflection of how you show up. Set realistic expectations. Make good business decisions. Meet commitments. Learn from mistakes.

EMBRACE CHANGE:Develop the individual, improve the team, grow the institution.Encourage and reward creative solutions. Ask impactful organizational questions.Identify the problem to be solved and the desired outcome.Engage others. Believe in what’s possible.

APPRECIATE THE MEMBER:Achieve and retain trusted, valued relationships with members.Listen and identify needs.Prioritize the member experience. Maintain a high level of member satisfaction. Serve the member with pride.

ACHIEVE SUCCESS TOGETHER:Strive for Flawless Execution. Not for the sake of numbers, but for a sense of pride in a job well done. Success favors the prepared. Consistently plan, coach and grow to master our roles. Celebrate our success.

Act Nice Behaviors:

Accept mutual accountability when things go wrong

Acknowledge others’ efforts and thank them

Avoid jumping to conclusions

Be honest, direct, and civil with no hidden agendas

Communicate with others face to face whenever possible

Empathize with others by putting yourself in their shoes

Establish and build relationships into trusted partnerships

Forget the past and avoid holding grudges

Hear individuals out by actively listening to them

Protect and build up each other’s self-esteem

Recognize and reinforce others’ positive actions

Respect each other’s priorities and personal space