Senior Specialist, Benefits

Practice Group / Department:

Benefits

Job Description

We are a global law firm with a powerful strategic focus and real momentum. Our industry-focused strategy is seeing us take on pioneering work in places that others have yet to reach. Our shared values define our culture and our workplace. You will find us to be unusually collegial, team-oriented, and ready to innovate. We work seamlessly across practices, offices and around the world. This elimination of boundaries has allowed us to evolve into a law firm that works as hard for its culture as it does for its clients.

The Senior Benefits Specialist will act as a subject matter expertise in health/welfare, assisting our Benefits Manager and team with US based benefits program administration including, but not limited to, medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, life, disability, voluntary plans, retirement plans, employee wellbeing, emergency back-up care, leave of absence, and worker’s compensation. The Senior Benefits Specialist will also provide support with compliance related reporting and other annual requirements. This position is ideally based in Dallas or Houston, Texas and reports to the Benefits Manager.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Respond and provide detailed guidance to employee’s benefit inquires
• Act as a liaison between employees, insurance carriers, or third party administrators to solve complex benefits/claims issues
• Act as main point of contact for partners and retirees
• Process new hire benefit enrollments and manage enrollment changes, including termination of benefits timely following any change in eligibility
• Carefully reconcile carrier bills for accuracy, to identify trends, and significant changes month over month
• Work closely with payroll to ensure accurate and timely benefits deductions
• Partner with the Benefits Specialist to administer leave programs including: STD, LTD, FMLA, parental leave, and personal leave
• Conduct benefits orientation for all new hires including partners, non-partner lawyers, and business services staff
• Co-manage all aspects of annual open enrollment with the Benefits Manager. Help design and distribute materials related to the open enrollment process.  Participate in HRIS system setup and testing, provide assistance to colleagues, and lead post-enrollment auditing
• Administer COBRA with third party vendor and ensure the participation reports are accurate
• Partner with the Benefits Coordinator to manage the Flex Spending and Dependent Care enrollment progress
• Assist with the preparation and distribution of Medicare Part D notices
• Research and stay up-to-date on changes to benefits related legislation
• Complete OSHA survey(s) required by law to be filed with state and federal regulations
• Partner with Benefits Manager to assist with compliance-related tasks such as ACA auditing and reporting, Form 5500s, PCORI, and any other compliance requirements
• Partner with the HRIS team to update and maintain benefit configurations within Workday

Other duties

Please note this job description does not cover or contain all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications and experience:

• Flexibility in adapting and responding to changing situations and responding to employee issues with a sense of urgency
• 5-10 years of progressive benefits experience working with mid to large complex organizations
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, exercise good judgement and have strong attention to detail
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and ability to adapt to new platforms and technology
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, set priorities, work independently and complete multiple projects within established deadlines
• Experience working with benefit administrative systems such a Workday and ADP
• Understanding of ACA and other compliance related items which require quarterly or annual reporting
• Strong customer service skills with a willingness to go above and beyond to provide support to colleagues
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills
• Must be able to interact effectively with employees and vendors
• Strong work ethic and ability to maintain strict confidentiality

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP is committed to providing employees with a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Benefit packages in