Benefits Analyst - Retirement and Financial Programs

Job Description/Responsibilities

The Benefits Analyst administers and oversees assigned U.S. and global benefit plans, ensuring efficiency, compliance, and competitiveness. This role is primarily focused on retirement, financial, and leave benefits, but will also be cross-functionally trained in health and welfare benefits to ensure consistent plan administration and compliance.

Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills are essential.

 

Employee & Communication Support

• Advise employees and dependents on benefits, liaising with providers to resolve issues while ensuring confidentiality.
• Anticipate concerns, provide holistic solutions, and escalate as needed.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to create and implement an ongoing, multi-channel benefits communication plan for clarity and engagement beyond annual enrollment.

Plan Administration

• Administer retirement plans, social insurance, pre-tax accounts, paid leave, and financial well-being programs.
• Ensure accurate, secure, and timely benefits data transmission, correct payroll deductions, and monitor employee status changes.
• Manage vendor relationships, oversee service agreements, and drive program improvements through meetings, reviews, and project management.
• Plan and attend quarterly 401(k) and pension administrative committee meetings.

Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

• Manage compliance with regulations such as IRC, ERISA, HIPAA, FMLA, SECURE 2.0, and State Leave Laws.
• Read, review, recommend, and apply changes due to legislation affecting benefit plans.
• Complete annual regulatory activities with a high level of accuracy, including:
• Required minimum distributions (RMDs)
• Form 5500
• ADP/ACP testing
• Plan audits
• Nondiscrimination testing
• Compliance notices
• Plan documents

Reporting & Audits

• Compile nondiscrimination testing reports for benefit plans annually or as needed.
• Gather data, prepare reports, and support 401(k), pension, and leave of absence audits involving enrollment and deduction information.

Culture & Continuous Improvement

• Model company culture, delivering exceptional employee support with a focus on fairness and care.
• Recommend benefits improvements based on employee feedback and peer benchmark data.
• Support leadership in developing a total rewards strategy aligned with Sazerac’s global expansion, ensuring compliance with local retirement and social insurance regulations across multiple countries.
• Work with a continuous improvement mindset to optimize department operations, reduce errors, and enhance delivery of benefit programs.
• Create standard operating procedures, knowledge content, and training resources to shift repeatable benefits tasks to the HR Shared Services team (e.g., invoices, data and payroll audits, enrollment changes, Tier 1 employee requests).

Professional Development

• Work closely with managers to improve skills, performance, and professional growth.
• Continually seek ways to improve performance as measured by departmental KPIs.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Associate’s degree in a business-related field
• 2 years’ experience in benefits administration
• Ability to quickly learn new systems/processes
• Detail oriented
• Strong computer skills and high comfort using technology and systems
• Skilled in MS Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Word
• Demonstrated knowledge of all relevant government regulations
• Knowledge of labor laws, including FMLA, ADA, and other relevant regulations
• Familiarity with group health and retirement benefits
• Ability to communicate with all levels of an organization
• Ability to manage multiple projects at one time
• Ability to manage both strategic and tactical execution of HR programs simultaneously
• Demonstrated ability to work as a team as well as self-directed
• Excellent analytical, interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Visual acuity and ability to work at a computer

 

PREFERRED

• Professional certification related to team member benefits, such as CEBS or IFEBP certification
• One or more of SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP/PHR/SPHR certification
• Bachelor's Degree in Finance or Accounting or relevant experience.
• Bachelor degree in Business, Hu