Senior Benefit Specialist

Job Description:

The Senior Benefit Specialist will support the accurate seamless delivery and administration of the North American benefit programs, including health and welfare and retirement benefit programs in the U.S. and Canada. The specialist will use their experience and technical knowledge along with their creativity to create and deliver best in class benefits that engage employees.

 Responsibilities

• Administers and communicates health and welfare programs for U.S. and Canada.  This includes health and wellness plans, spending accounts, life insurance, disability insurance and various other benefits.
• Performs all processes for the U.S. 401(k) plan and the Canadian defined contribution and defined benefit plans including, but not limited to, biweekly contribution management, NDT testing, audits, and pension distributions.  Communicates benefits of participation to employees.
• Provides day to day management of the benefit vendor relationships maintaining vendor accountability and high customer service.  Manages request for proposals and participates in choosing the best vendor. 
• Ensures compliance with U.S. and Canadian Federal, Provincial and State laws and/or regulations pertaining to the benefit programs.  Remains current on legislation, analyzing the impact to the company.
• Partners with Director of Global Benefits, Health Care Services and Human Resource Business Partners to deliver holiday and leave of absence policies and processes.
• Interfaces with internal and external counsel to ensure benefit compliance documents are accurate and up to date.  This includes, but is not limited to, Plan Documents, SPDs and regulatory notices.
• Establishes documentation and procedures for all processes.
• Partners with the Director of Global Benefits, broker of record, payroll department and vendors to plan, coordinate and communicate the U.S. Annual Open Enrollment process including working with underwriters to price the plans and establish annual budget.
• Conducts benefits benchmarking against peers including participation in third party surveys. Researches and analyzes new offerings. Provides recommendations for improvement to the benefits using industry knowledge and recent trends along with the voice of the HR partners and employees.
• Monitors the benefits budget and reviews and approves related invoices.
• Partners with Corporate Communications and Director of Global Benefits to develop and deliver employee education and communication initiatives to promote understanding and appreciation of benefits programs.
• Assist in preparing analysis and materials for senior leadership, executive, and Board meetings.
• Willingness to assist with various Total Rewards related activities and other tasks as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated comprehensive understanding of U.S. and Canada benefits plans, including but not limited to group health care, life insurance, short and long-term disability, leaves of absence, health Savings and spending accounts, retirement, and well-being benefits.
• Self-insured benefits program administration experience preferred.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of benefit laws and regulations, including ACA requirements, ERISA and Section 125 Cafeteria plans, etc.
• Experience with HR information systems and reporting, WorkDay HCM preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to establish rapport and effective working relationships with business partners, supervisors, and peers.
• Demonstrated aptitude for analytics and problem solving.
• CBP/CEBS certification or CBP/CEBS coursework preferred.
• Effective planning and priority setting and project management experience.
•  Able to work at a detailed level to complete or review analysis and develop recommendations, but also look at the big picture.
• Proven ability to use applications, including Office365applications (Word, Excel and PowerPoint),
• Degree in human resources/benefits or related field.
• At least 5 years' benefits experience is required.

Our Company:

Axalta has remained at the forefront of the coatings industry by continually investing in innovative solutions. We engineer technologies that protect customers’ products – whether they are battling heat, light, corrosion, abrasion, moisture, or chemicals – and add dimension and beauty with colorful finishes. We have a vast and ever-evolving portfolio of brands primed to play an important part in everything from modernizing infrastructure around the world to enabling the next generation of electric and autonomous vehicles.  

Axalta operates its business in two segments: Performance Coatings and Mobility Coatings, which serve four end markets, including Refinish, Industrial, Light Veh