Benefits Administrator

We are seeking a Benefits Administrator for our Plano, TX office. This exempt position is a senior benefits professional who will support the day-to-day operation of the firm-wide health and welfare benefits plan and leave administration, including but not limited to workers’ compensation, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, and Short-term Disability in compliance with federal/state regulations and firm policy. They will assist with providing administrative and technical expertise and oversight of the firm’s retirement programs working in partnership with the benefits team and ERISA partner. Secondarily, this position will also assist in the coordination of benefits for international locations.

Essential Duties

• Oversee and administer the daily functions of all leaves.

• Facilitate the completion of annual plan audits and all required compliance filings.

• Maintain knowledge and ensure programs/plans and procedures comply with related federal and state rules and regulations (e.g. PBGC, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ADA).  This includes notification distributions.

• Provide audit support through data gathering and vendor coordination. Leverage technology in partnership with vendors, payroll, IT, HRIS, and multiple office locations to improve overall process efficiency.

• Develop and document regular controls and practices to ensure the accuracy and efficiency of processes, inclusive of internal audits, cost tracking and utilization monitoring.

• Stay abreast of and maintain current data regarding industry trends, laws, and standards.

• Conduct benchmarking, competitive analysis and research.

• Responsible for survey participation and will analyze information obtained from the results to forecast trends to assist with future benefit designs.

Other Duties

• Back up for benefits department team members.

• Assist with the daily functions of firm-wide health and welfare benefits plans, as necessary.

• Assist with development and/or review of benefits-related communications and communications schedules.

• Coordinate special projects such as, open enrollment, annual renewals, package distribution, non-discrimination testing and wellness initiatives.

• Assist with vendor management of outsourced benefits services such as contract adherence and performance.

• Resolve escalation issues and problems regarding plans, programs, and policy.

• Perform other related activities as needed or assigned

Reporting Relationship

This position will report directly to the Manager of Benefits who reports directly to the Sr. Manager of Benefits. There is a dotted line reporting and supporting as necessary to the Employee Benefits Practice Group.

Subordinate staff:  N/A

Qualifications

Knowledge/Experience

A minimum of five years of related progressive work experience required.  This position also requires extensive experience and knowledge of leaves of absence, retirement programs such as Deferred Contribution (401k), Defined Benefit and Cash Balance, inclusive of compliance requirements.  Individual must be fully knowledgeable of benefits related laws and regulations including but not limited to ERISA, HIPAA, ADA, COBRA, PPACA and IRS/DOL regulations impacting plans.

Understanding and experience of HRIS, Benefit and Payroll systems are important along with work experience in a law firm or similar environment is strongly preferred.

Skills

• Ability to create effective, working relationships and dialog with all levels within the firm.

• Experience working with external auditors and understand how to direct the accomplishment of deliverables with firm management.

• Experience in benefits for foreign locations, preferably currently with Mexico and Shanghai.

• Strong analytical and/or statistical skills, with a keen detail orientation.

• Strong project management skills and ability to work with a team and independently.

• Strong organizational and problem solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and issues.

• Advanced working knowledge and proficiency of MS Office programs (Word, Power Point, Excel).

• Leverage technology in partnership with Payroll and HRIS for benefit purposes.  Payroll software a plus.

• Strong organizational and problem solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and issues

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human resources or management preferred; CEBS designation or other benefits certification; SPHR or PHR a plus.

Physical Demands

Must be able to move around the office up to 15% of the time to make copies, fax, file, etc.; Remains stationary at least 85% of the time. This position operates computers and other office productivity machines (e.g., fax machine, copier, printer, etc.) on a regular basis.); Occasionally required to move documents or files weighing up to 15 lbs.; This position requires constant communication and exchange of information with the Firm attorneys, clients and staff; This position must be able to inspect and observe information on a computer screen at least 80% of the time.

Working Conditions

Office Environment; occasional travel may be required.

About Haynes and Boone

At Haynes and Boone, our people are the driving force behind our success. Because we value the role every individual plays in how we deliver exceptional legal services, we hire people who will contribute to our professional reputation, enhance client relationships and share in our success.

Haynes and Boone’s Dallas-North office serves clients throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, nationally and internationally. Our office includes a large group of the firm's intellectual property and patent professionals, along with corporate, security, and technology law professionals. Our team members handle complex patent trial matters, including inter partes review proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and many of our attorneys are nationally recognized in this area of law. Our Dallas-North lawyers also counsel clients in patent strategy, patent prosecution and portfolio management, licensing, and litigation. Our lawyers are recognized in publications such as the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White, Inc.) We are committed to having a diverse workforce that reflects our communities, and we seek highly motivated lawyers and staff who value our culture of respect and teamwork. The new Dallas-North office is located in a mixed-use building with access to retail, restaurants and apartments at Legacy West in Plano – home to several national and global corporations.