Benefits Analyst Principal

ECMC Group is a nonprofit corporation focused on helping students succeed. Headquartered in Minneapolis, ECMC Group and its family of companies provide financial tools and services, as well as funding for innovative programs to help students achieve their academic and professional goals.

Job Summary

As a member of the Total Rewards team, the Benefits Analyst Principal will ensure our benefits offerings are competitive, compliant, cost-effective, and aligned with the needs of our diverse workforce. In this role, the Principal Analyst will leverage strong analytical skills and attention to detail to ensure timely and accurate employee benefits enrollment and billing. They will provide excellent customer service to employees to resolve inquiries and communicate effectively to ensure understanding of the resolution. The Analyst Principle consults with business partners, stakeholders and vendors to educate, understand employee needs and perspectives, and drive continuous improvement of benefits strategies and offerings.

The Benefit Analyst Principal is a member of a team made up of subject matter experts across interconnected disciplines. The team members are expected to work closely together and flex across disciplines to support one another, to meet business needs and to support individual growth and development.

This position is classified as hybrid and requires attendance in office, Monday - Wednesday in Minneapolis, MN.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Respond to benefit questions and requests with excellent customer service, acting as an intermediary between employees and third-party administrators as appropriate.

• Ensure data accuracy in internal and external systems via system testing and ongoing auditing. Investigate and resolve issues, identifying the root cause and making changes to prevent recurring issues.

• Analyze, research, and summarize monthly eligibility data, resolving any data discrepancies or issues with vendors to ensure complete and accurate employee service

• Provide benefit vendor support and coordinate with benefits vendors to ensure accurate and timely benefit transactions are being processed

• Monitor and ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations. Responsible for the completion of government compliance activities (ACA, 5500s, COBRA, etc.), independent third-party audits, plan documentation and required participant communications.

• Proactively identify and drive execution of opportunities for process improvements (including Workday HRIS modifications) and changes in strategy/approach, in partnership with leadership, other HR teams and third-party vendors.

• Assist with review of benefit plan design options, evaluating new plans while balancing cost management and employee satisfaction.

• Independently manage the planning, system testing, and communications related to annual benefits open enrollment.

• Clearly communicate program changes and updates to affected employees and leaders. Deliver difficult messages with empathy, while reinforcing the rationale and alignment with company practices. Ensure that communications reinforce the value of various benefit elements in the context of a total rewards package.

• Assist with other projects within the Total Rewards team as needed

• Provide back-up support for the leaves and accommodations processes

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years progressive experience in a benefits administration role

• Bachelor's Degree or 4 additional years of experience in lieu of degree

• Proficient in the use of Workday Benefits or similar HRIS system

• Expertise in compliance and regulatory requirements of employee benefit programs

• Experience troubleshooting, analyzing data and recommending practical solutions

• Highly adaptable and proven experience thriving in a changing/dynamic environment

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint)

• Experience communicating effectively with business partners and leaders, translating needs into solutions and explaining complex topics clearly.

• Learning agility and a curious mindset

• Ability to appropriately handle working with confidential data

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing the leaves and accommodations processes

• Market Pricing, job leveling, incentive compensation experience

• Experience managing retirement benefits

• Payroll experience

• Creative mindset - ability to develop innovative solutions to complex benefit issues

• CEBS or CBP certification

The pay range for this position is $120,000 - $140,000. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as relevant experience, peer and market benchmarks, and geographic location.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ECMC Group also provides a comprehensive benefits package:

• Health & wellness benefits:Medical, dental, and vision insurance plan options, with a generous employer subsidy. Company paid life & disability insurance, pre-tax flexible spending accounts and robust wellness programs.
• Financial benefits:Generous 401(k) plan with a company match up to 6% and additional discretionary contribution potential, holiday time off, paid time off accrual starting at 20 days/year and commuter subsidy.
• Education benefits:Tuition reimbursement up to $10,500/year for approved programs and student loan payment reimbursement up to $4,800/year.Up to $5,250 of qualifying education benefits can be reimbursed pre-tax.