Benefits Specialist

If you are passionate about employee benefits, highly motivated, goal oriented, enjoy working and winning as a team, and are eager to deliver exceptional customer service to talented union members, then we’re looking for you! The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) is the labor union of the finest singers, dancers and staging staff in opera, choral performance and concert dance in the united states. . AGMA members receive health care and retirement benefits through the AGMA Health Fund and Retirement Plan The AGMA Fund Office, which supports these benefit programs and serves about 8,000 members, is seeking a full-time Benefits Specialist reporting directly to the Executive Director.

The Benefit Specialist is a newly created position and will be an integral part of the Fund Office. This individual will take an active role in developing, maintaining and documenting internal controls and procedures, and will work directly with the fund office staff to optimize their use of custom benefits software with Bridgeway (formerly ISSI). This individual will also facilitate the benefits departments interaction with contributing employers on financial matters, as well as assist with updating Summary Plan Descriptions and promoting benefit plan provisions on fund office website. The ideal candidate would have the ability to multitask and be dynamic, flexible, organized, as well as take initiative and demonstrate leadership and management skills.

This is an opportunity to work with a small group of dedicated professionals who have built a strong working environment in a challenging industry. This position requires the Benefits Specialist to work on site during the training period with a hybrid schedule available after training.

This position includes exceptional benefits including:

• Fully Employer-paid Health Coverage (medical, dental and vision)

• Retirement Plan with employer contributions

• Generous paid time off benefits.

Responsibilities

• Performs the day-to-day operations of the Health & Welfare and Retirement Plans (including eligibility determination and transaction processing) to ensure financial and operational accuracy as well as compliance.

• Operates in accordance with Plan policies, procedures, and standards to ensure a level of professionalism and prompt, accurate service to members, participants, beneficiaries and contributing employers.

• Follows appropriate control procedures in place for benefit payments to participants and beneficiaries, including calculation and verification of final benefits.

• Handles customer service issues and identifies benefit appeals for resolution.

• Works with health carrier on specific member issues.

• Assist the Executive Director with implementing new governmental regulations and requires solid knowledge of ERISA, HIPAA, the Affordable Care Act, PPA, the SECURE Act and all requirements impacting benefit plans.

• Support Executive Director with trustee and member issues

• Perform additional duties and projects as assigned by management

• Assist with special benefit projects and employee presentations throughout the year

• Managing/Updating employee information in HRIS system

• Assist with HAS management and processing including funding, contribution changes, and audits.

• Support employees with benefit inquiries including general benefits education, troubleshooting issues, and solving complex claims issues.

• Support the annual enrollment process, qualifying life event changes, implementation of new vendors and onboarding employees for benefits and retirement.

• Resolve administrative problems with the carriers, investigate discrepancies.

• Research, interpret and provide employees guidance on established benefit policies and procedures.

• Draft and coordinate the distribution of communications for ad hoc participant issues.

• Support audit activities and the accuracy of data and benefit records in HRIS system.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required, College Degree, Business Administration or related field preferred

• Minimum three (3) years benefits administration experience, CEBS certification preferred

• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word and Excel) required

• Knowledge of Health Benefits such as medical and prescription drug coverage in a health insurance or benefits environment preferred

• Comprehensive knowledge of health and retirement administration, eligibility requirements, benefit provisions, and enrollment protocols required

• Knowledge of benefits administration systems preferred, with ISSI experience a plus

• Excellent interpersonal, writing, communication and presentation skills required

• Strong analytical, organization and time management skills; ability to multi-task and follow through skills as well as the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment with limited daily supervision

• Ability to work well independently as well as in a team setting. Solid leadership qualities and problem-solving skills

• Must be detail-oriented, highly organized, and be comfortable working on complex problems.

• Must have a desire to learn

Apply with cover letter and resume to suzanne.taranto@milliman.com