Benefits Analyst (Halifax Regional Municipality)

Benefits Analyst

Under the general direction of the Director, Benefits, manages and administers all Canadian perks programs which include day-to-day plan administration. Responsibilities

Manage and administer the Canadian Retirement Plan for all employees. Serves as Secretary on the Company's Retirement Committee and in conjunction with other committee members and external consultants monitor performance of Investment Managers, review plan designs and recommend changes to senior executives. Responsible for reviewing and revising member plan booklet and enrolment brochure to ensure information is up to date. Responsible for communication to employees regarding any changes to the plan. Distribute enrollment packages to eligible members. Enroll all Group RRSP applicants into Oracle system to set up payroll deductions. Manage and facilitate RFP and vendor selection for group benefits and retirement plan. Conduct short list interviews/meetings with vendors and carry out reference checks. Compose strategy document and make recommendation on vendor to Sr. Management. Where implementation of new vendor is required, effectively run meetings, lead project and facilitate workflows between 7-Eleven, vendor and consultants. Involve in negotiation of vendor contracts, drafting of employee communications, and review of documentation including proposals, contracts, plan documents, amendments and employee booklet. In conjunction with third party consultant facilitate annual contract renewal with insurance carrier. Manage and administer Group Insurance program which includes enrollments, disability claims, dental, extended health care and life insurance claims. Process benefits enrollments for all special handling employees. Process and manage LTD claims for all employees. Process and manage all STD claims for all special handling employees. Process all life claims and act as liaison between beneficiaries and life insurance carrier. Responsible for reviewing and revising group benefits booklet to ensure information is current and accurate. Monitor and maintain policies with insurance carrier. Ensure policies are updated as changes occur. Manage external professional relationships with third-party consultants, providers and insurance carrier including coordinating deliverables and expectations. Respond to employee inquiries regarding perks eligibility, plan provisions and claims. Use good judgment to resolve escalated member, plan or claim issues in a way that is fair and minimizes cost and risk to the company. Manage the Company's Employee Assistance Program. Responsible for communicating to all employees on new features within the program. Responsible for contract renewal with EAP provider. Manage the Service Award Program for Canadian employees. Act as liaison with vendor. Ensure all program administrative procedures are being followed. Ensure all programs meet individual provincial regulations as well as federal regulations. Respond to employee inquiries regarding benefits eligibility, plan provisions and claims. Keep up to date with innovations in benefits programs and makes recommendations to senior management. Monitor company costs for benefits programs and recommend plan design changes or premium changes to senior management. Select, in conjunction with senior management, and supervise external benefits consultants, record keeper and insurance carrier. Assist Employee Service Center Personnel and Field HR Personnel with any difficulties in the advantages area. Produce reports as required. Serve as Business Process Owner and Subject Matter Expert responsible for all benefits related set-ups and maintenance in Oracle HR/Payroll system. Responsible for all User Acceptance Testing during upgrades and year end patches implementation. Train and assist Employee Service Center Personnel and field HR personnel with Oracle system. Perform other duties and responsibilities as required or assigned. Education / Experience

This position requires a bachelor's degree in business with 2 - 3 years in a trust company environment, insurance company or corporate insurance environment or in a related business with benefits administration responsibilities. Skills / Qualifications / Travel

Reading – Ability to read and interpret Company policies and vendor contracts. Writing – Ability to write correspondence regarding benefit eligibility, amendments to policies, etc. Math – Ability to perform general calculations to determine benefit deduction calculations, trend reports, etc. Computer – Utilize personal computer for word processing and spreadsheet applications to produce written documents and trend reports. Must be proficient in Oracle HRIS procedures to retrieve and enter data and produce reports. Equipment – Utilize photocopier, fax machine, and calculator. Travel – Limited travel within Vancouver to attend meetings. Physical Effort / Working Conditions

No particular demand for physical exertion and functions in a normal office environment. Innovation

Innovation and original thinking involved in keeping benefit costs under control while maintaining an acceptable standard. Decision Making / Problem Solving / Impact

Decisions are generally reviewed prior to implementation. Management / Planning

This position does not supervise any employee. The list of requirements, duties, and responsibilities is not exhaustive but is merely the most accurate list for the current position. Management reserves the right to revise the job description and to require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, changes in personnel, workload or technical development).

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