Associate Benefits Consultant

At Franklin Templeton, we're driving our industry forward by developing new and innovative ways to help our clients achieve their investment goals. Our dynamic and diversified firm spans asset management, wealth management, and fintech, offering many ways to help investors make progress toward their goals. Our talented teams working around the globe bring expertise that's both broad and unique. From our welcoming, inclusive, and flexible culture to our global and diverse business, we offer opportunities not only to help you reach your potential but also to contribute to our clients' achievements.
Come join us in delivering better outcomes for our clients around the world!
What is the Global Benefits group responsible for?
The Global Benefits team is part of Global Talent Management and is responsible for the implementation and administration of employee benefits and services including Health & Welfare benefits, time off, and other employee programs/offerings.
What is the Associate Benefits Consultant responsible for?
Manage all US, Bahamas and Latin America leave of absences and intermittent Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) partnering with outsourced administrator to ensure compliance with company policies and Federal/State regulations (FMLA, CFRA, PFL, and ADA). Function as liaison between employee, their leader, internal HR partners, and vendor to problem-solve and provide guidance for escalated and complex claims. Collaborate with HR partners and employees' leaders on return to work, accommodation requests and unauthorized time off. Coordinate company paid time off programs, and integration with state paid family leave benefits, with payroll. Develop and provide ad hoc reports for analysis to business units and senior leaders as needed.
This position is responsible for administration of benefits and employee programs which may include: Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, Discounts and Voluntary Benefit offerings working to assist employees and benefit vendors to resolve complex claim and eligibility issues. In addition, this role leads special benefit projects as assigned, including open enrollment and will work closely with the rest of benefits team to maintain a consistent approach in servicing customers, resolving issues, and executing projects.
What are the ongoing responsibilities of a Associate Benefits Consultant?
Leave of Absence Administration

• Manage the day-to-day administration, including directing and guiding management of complex LOA cases. Interprets policies and procedures to ensure leaves are administered consistently and in compliance with federal and state regulations and company policies.
• Research and analyze Federal and State regulatory changes to ensure company leave policies and corresponding LOA and Intermittent FMLA packets are up to date and compliant.
• Collaborate on the development and implementation of policies/procedures (new and updates to current)
• Perform monthly audits to monitor leave status and identify when to draft and send leave of absence exhaust letters.
• Collaborate with internal partners on non-standard LOA and intermittent FMLA, including analysis of case history, review of accommodation requests and recommendations on next steps.
• Manage unauthorized time off and Return to Work process (including maintaining a weekly LOA/Intermittent FMLA report to identify action items for RTW, exhaust letter generation)
• Maintain internal leave tracking and HR system, calculate partial wage percentages for integration with paid family leave benefits which varies by state and coordinate paid time off with payroll.
• Partner with payroll on the collection of insurance premiums to ensure fiscal responsibility is met.
• Complete verification requests from the applicable agencies for employees receiving Short Term Disability or Paid Family Leave benefits through a State program.
• Develop and provide ad hoc reports for analysis to internal HR partners and business units based on their needs. Examples include individual usage, specific department trends, etc.

General Benefits Administration

• Function as a liaison for employees and vendors to resolve escalated employee eligibility and claim issues.
• Assist employees with benefits questions and procedures as well as mid-year enrollments/changes for health insurance and other benefits.
• Ensure MyFTI is reviewed and updated on an on-going basis.
• Tier 3 askHR support

Health Savings Account (HSA) Plan Administrator duties include:

• Complete weekly CIP review: following up with employee, vendor and/or payroll to ensure bank accounts are opened timely and contributions accurately deposited if CIP failed.
• Liaison between vendor and payroll for contribution file issues
• Assists employees with questions and claim resolution.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Plan Administrator duties include:

• Keep abreast of and assess regulatory changes to ensure the plan remains compliant with IRS regulations and non-discrimination requirements.
• Enrollments/changes
• Employee claim issue resolution
• Facilitate the resolution of employee claim issues and concerns with vendor.

Time off Policy and Procedures
Includes but not limited to leave of absence, sick time, vacation, BEN time, bereavement:

• Provides support with the development and implementation of policies/procedures (new and updates to current), partnering with various HR groups as necessary.
• Assist with the communication of changes which includes notification to client facing groups, Business Units, HRD and any other applicable party, updating materials and the company intranet site.

Voluntary Benefits/Discounts

• Work with Discounts and Conveniences vendor on implementation and maintenance of discount offerings.
• Work with voluntary benefits vendors on coordination of offerings and payroll deductions.

Additional duties as assigned.

• Lead special projects as needed (e.g., open enrollment; assistance with rollout of new programs; and work on HR and Benefits-related initiatives)
• Develop and lead employee and leader training sessions on assorted topics as needed (e.g., LOA and Benefits-related initiatives)
• Collaborate with HR partners at multiple sites to coordinate onsite Health and Welfare events including wellness expos, flu shots, biometrics screenings and other vendor events as needed.

What ideal qualifications, skills & experience would help someone to be successful?

• Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent experience required.
• Experience in Leave of Absence Administration including multi-state law and administration preferred.
• General benefits knowledge is desirable.

Franklin Templeton offers employees a competitive and valuable range of total rewards-monetary and non-monetary-designed to support the whole person and to recognize their time, talents, and results. Along with base compensation, other compensation is offered such as a discretionary bonus, 401k plan, health insurance, and other perks. There are several factors taken into consideration in making compensation decisions including but not limited to location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. At Franklin Templeton, we apply a total reward philosophy where all aspects of compensation and benefits are taken into consideration in determining compensation. We expect the salary for this position to range between $60,000.00 - $80,000.00.
Experience our welcoming culture and reach your professional and personal potential!
Our culture is shaped by our diverse global workforce and strongly held core values. Regardless of your interests, lifestyle, or background, there's a place for you at Franklin Templeton. We provide employees with the tools, resources, and learning opportunities to help them excel in their career and personal life.
Hear more from our employees
By joining us, you will become part of a culture that focuses on employee well-being and provides multidimensional support for a positive and healthy lifestyle. We understand that benefits are at the core of employee well-being and may vary depending on individual needs. Whether you need support for maintaining your physical and mental health, saving for life's adventures, taking care of your family members, or making a positive impact in your community, we aim to have your needs covered. Learn more about the wide range of benefits we offer at Franklin Templeton.
Highlights of our benefits include:

• Three weeks paid time off the first year
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with 85% company match on your pre-tax and/or Roth contributions, up to the IRS limits
• Employee Stock Investment Program
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Purchase of company funds with no sales charge
• Onsite fitness center and recreation center*
• Onsite cafeteria*

*Only applicable at certain locations
Learn more about the wide range of benefits we offer at Franklin Templeton
Franklin Templeton is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and existing employees, and we evaluate qualified applicants without regard to ancestry, age, color, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, or gender expression, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation.
Franklin Templeton is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. If you believe that you need an accommodation to search for or apply for one of our positions, please send an email to accommodations@franklintempleton.com. In your email, please include the accommodation you are requesting, the job title, and the job number you are applying for. It may take up to three business days to receive a response to your request. Please note that only accommodation requests will receive a response.