Under administrative direction from the Senior Manager, analyzes designs, plans, and implements benefit programs, policies and procedures. Responsible for ensuring programs meet employee needs, comply with legal requirements and are administered in a consistent responsive manner. Assures the effective use of HRIS in managing benefit enrollment/participation and relies on experience and judgement to plan and accomplish goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborates with supervisor on the design and planning of the Lab's benefit programs and implementation including: medical, dental, vision, group basic and supplemental life insurance, retiree plan, 403(b), 457(b) retirement plans, a legacy defined benefit plan, health savings and flexible spending health care and dependent care accounts.

• Presents at the benefits new hire orientation

• Analyzes utilization data and provides recommendations for Health & Wellness Program initiatives.

• Analyzes and provides audited data for 403b retirement plan audit request and applicable non-discrimination testing for FSAs and 5500s.

• Conducts appropriate audit of all benefit invoices to ensure alignment with budget and creates benefit POs.

• Responsible for ACA filings for all medical plans including 1095C mailings

• Responsible for enrollment and administration of 457(f) and all executive disability and life insurance plans.

• Responsible for administering the Lab's review process for employee contested denied claims.

• Collaborates with Leaves and Wellness teams in resolving employee issues or implementing best practices where functional areas align such as COBRA, FMLA and EAP.

• Review and manage Stop loss notices.

• Serves on benefits customer service team and responds to employee inquiries via case system. Also serves as escalation point for benefit issues resulting from plan encounters from senior benefits specialist.

• Continuously reviews benefit processes and systems and proposes best practice to create efficiency where applicable.

• Manages benefit plan configurations and testing in Workday alongside Benefit Specialist

• Collaborates with supervisor in planning and implementing annual open enrollment and benefit fairs.

• Serves as secretary for the Retirement Committee.

• Consults and advises employees and retirees on eligibility provisions and other matters related to benefits including employee advocacy as needed..

• Coordinates and oversees alongside the senior benefits specialist, open enrollment processing, testing, corrections, builds, special inputs and troubleshooting.

• Maintains a strong working relationship with HRIS staff to coordinate information management.

• Responsible for limited employee benefits communication

• Provides input for presentations.

• Performs other adhoc responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• BS Degree required. Master's preferred

• Considerable knowledge of benefits and pension administration, FMLA and COBRA regulation and requirements.

• Expertise in benefit database administration and employee benefit records management.

• At least four to six years progressive benefits work experience including plan design, analysis and administration.

• Must have good organizational and analytical skills.

• Ability to complete complex administrative tasks and prepare presentations to managers and employees as required.

• Ability to listen and ascertain the needs of employees; ability to plan, organize and facilitate meetings.

• Able to build effective working relationships across the organization and externally to get things done.

• Able to communicate effectively with others in writing and verbally. Good time management skills with ability to multitask when needed.

• Team player and able to function effectively in a complex production/research environment and a demonstrated ability to openness to new ideas and approaches.

• Ability to work with confidential information

• Interpersonal relationship skills sufficient to allow incumbent to work in a high-profile environment requiring discretion, judgment, tact, and diplomacy

Pay Range: $73,305 - $122,730

About JAX:

The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California),Japan andChina. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health.

Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community. For more information, please visit.

EEO Statement:

The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.