Benefits Coordinator

Vedder Price's Chicago office is looking for a Benefits Coordinator. The Benefits Coordinator will assist and support the Benefits Team in the implementation, administration and coordination of the Firm’s employee benefits programs.

As the Benefits Coordinator, your job duties will include but are not limited to:

• Handles leave of absence requests and disability programs
• Coordinates and assists with Open Enrollment by preparing materials, responding to questions and requests for information
• Provides guidance to employees regarding benefits issues and questions (i.e. new hire enrollment, life events); including liaising with benefits vendors for claims questions and additional inquiries
• Downloads benefits reports from HRIS for vendor census reporting
• Documents and updates processes for all benefits administration
• Handles Flexible Spending Plans and Health Savings accounts
• Conducts benefits orientation, check-in meetings and explains benefits self-service enrollment within HRIS for new employees as part of onboarding
• Reviews and approves Life Events for employees including new hires, change of status enrollments and dependent verifications
• Handles departure meetings for separations; prepares and distributes benefits departure packets
• Liaises with payroll to input employee deduction/group changes and reconcile same
• Participates in regularly scheduled benefits data audits in HRIS system for employee use including updating the intranet
• Responsible for updating Benefits Plan Information with guidance from Director of Benefits
• Assist with maintenance and management of data for retirement plans (401k) including employee inquiries regarding account information
• Responsible for managing maintenance of the benefits mailbox to provide guidance to employees regarding benefits issues and questions; including liaising with third party administrator for claims questions
• Liaise with payroll on benefit changes/adjustments for late enrollments; organizing and filing emails upon completion
• Performs other benefits related duties as assigned

Skills & Competencies:

• Detailed-oriented and demonstrated ability to work with highly confidential information
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Ability to take initiative and work with limited supervision
• Ability to excel in a fast paced environment
• Ability to multi-task and work under pressure to meet strict deadlines
• Knowledge of applicable state and federal laws and regulations e.g., ERISA, DOL, IRS, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, Healthcare Reform, ACA, Section 125 and 401(k) preferred
• Strong interpersonal skills

Qualifications & Required Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree Preferred
• 2-5 years of Benefits/HR experience preferred
• Position also requires the ability to work under pressure to meet strict deadlines

Computer Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be proficient in the following software:

• Strong proficiency in MS Office, particularly Excel and demonstrated proficiency in HRIS systems

Equal Employment Opportunity

Vedder Price P.C. is an equal opportunity employer. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability (where applicant is qualified to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations), medical condition, protected veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We participate in E-verify.

Applicants who are interested in applying for a position and require special assistance or an accommodation during the process due to a disability should contact the Vedder Price Recruiting Team at vprecruiting@vedderprice.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)