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SalaryAt Houston Methodist, the Senior Benefits Specialist position is responsible for assigned areas of Houston Methodist benefits programs such as retirement, health and welfare, or workers compensation with special focus on plan administration. Leads system implementations, upgrades and testing, generates required reports and has accountability for assigned projects. Identifies tasks and duties related to projects and partners with management to execute. This position contributes to the overall success of benefit related software within the Human Resources (HR) Payroll, time and attendance or risk management system by identifying issues and making recommendations for process improvements. The Sr. Benefits Specialist position works across the benefits management team to ensure delivery of innovative, consistent, and cost-effective services that support, sustain, and improve our benefits administration while in compliance with all regulatory and legal requirements. Serves as role model for the delivery of high-quality customer service through a variety of channels. Supports onboarding and training of new staff. Mentors other team members as appropriate.
PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Ensures that HR Hub staff have the resources and education pertaining to assigned areas of specialization to provide support and answers to our employee population.
- Serves as subject matter expert to Information Technology (IT) and providers regarding system updates, interfaces and customization as assigned.
- Acts as a resource to Human Resources(HR) and management across the organization for best practices, policy and procedures and state and federal law.
SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Drives the entire life cycle of implementing benefits programs with internal departments (IT and payroll) and external vendors. Leads user acceptance testing (UAT) and other related projects.
- Identifies service and/or system issues for external and internal stakeholders and vendors. Makes recommendations for resolution to department leadership.
- Performs complex operational and transactional tasks required to administer company benefit programs and provides prompt and accurate responses to customers through a variety of channels. (i.e. email, phone, chat)
- Serves as subject matter expert and resource to team members in absence of department management as appropriate.
QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Works with internal and external parties to ensure all benefit deductions, including arrears and refunds, 403(b) deferrals and contributions, or payment of wage replacement are accurate as assigned. Audits associated system reports to ensure accuracy and takes necessary action to correct discrepancies.
- Partners with vendors/providers to support flawless administration of benefit plans, such as healthcare, 403(b), Paid Time Off (PTO), leaves, and Worker's Comp that enhances the overall Houston Methodist total reward philosophy.
- Ensures compliance of associated state and federal laws/regulations and mandatory record keeping through routine and ad hoc reporting as required. Performs routine and special audits according to department requirements. Identifies discrepancies and reports to management.
FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Represents Houston Methodist with internal and external parties to ensure all benefit deductions, including arrears and refunds, 403(b) deferrals and contributions, or payment of wage replacement are accurate as assigned. Audits associated system reports to ensure accuracy and takes necessary action to correct discrepancies. Identifies trends and anomalies. Performs root cause analysis and alerts management as appropriate.
- Independently manages time effectively and prioritizes daily tasks. Seeks out opportunities to help other team members.
GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Stays abreast of industry trends and seeks out opportunities to apply innovative solutions to assigned programs. Makes recommendations focused on delivering high quality, cost effective programs to address the benefit needs of our employees.
- Proactively evaluates internal processes and makes recommendations for cost savings.
- Assumes responsibility for own learning needs and seeks continuing opportunities to meet those needs. Completes and updates the My Development Plan (MDP) on an ongoing basis.
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.
EDUCATION
- Bachelor's degree required or an additional four years of experience in addition to the minimum experience required below in lieu of degree
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Four years experience in HR or related field to include two years benefits related experience and customer service
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - PREFERRED
- Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
- Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
- Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
- Effective time management and ability to management competing priorities in an organized fashion in a fast-paced environment
- Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work independently and make decisions within scope of role
- Ability to professionally and confidentially resolve issues including working with stakeholders with varying work styles and personalities
- Expert in excel
- General knowledge of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Workers Compensation
- Advanced knowledge of assigned benefits area of focus
- Knowledge of benefits systems
- Strong project management skills
- Ability to seamlessly shift between strategic and tactical work
- Ability to work effectively and efficiently in a remote environment as assigned
- Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.
**Travel specifications may vary by department**
Company Profile:
Houston Methodist is one of the nation’s leading health systems and academic medical centers. Houston Methodist consists of eight hospitals: Houston Methodist Hospital, its flagship academic hospital in the heart of the Texas Medical Center, and seven community hospitals throughout the greater Houston area. Houston Methodist also includes an academic institute, a comprehensive residency program, a global business division, numerous physician practices and several free-standing emergency rooms and outpatient facilities. Overall, Houston Methodist employs more than 27,000 employees and is supported by a wide variety of business functions that operate at the system level to help enable clinical departments to provide high quality patient care.
Houston Methodist is an equal opportunity employer inclusive of women, minorities, disabled persons and veterans.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor – priority referral Protected Veterans requested.
