Benefits Senior Associate

Grant Thornton is seeking a Benefits Senior Associate to join the team. Approved office locations can be found below.

The Benefits Senior Associate serves as the Health & Welfare (H&W)/Retirement Plan specialist for the firmwide Benefits function.  Reporting to the H&W and Retirement Benefits Managers, the Benefits Analyst is responsible for the day-to-day administration of assigned firm benefit plans, including data reporting and analysis to support compliance with plan documents, and providing distinctive service to leaders and employees of the firm. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Become knowledgeable and supportive of the strategy and business priorities of the firm and ensure alignment of benefit strategy to those of the firm.
• Collaborate across service lines (e.g, Finance & Accounting, IT, Communications, etc.) as well as within People & Community (HR) operational and functional areas, vendor partners, and firm leaders in the execution of our business-aligned Total Rewards agenda.
• Manages the day-to-day relationship with the firm’s Third-Party Administrator (TPA) and other outside vendors for firm benefit plans.
• Assists in the annual open enrollment process by providing necessary information to the firm’s TPA and broker/consultants, ensuring accuracy of plan information, and completing analysis of enrollment trends.
• Leads efforts with broker/consultants to conduct annual non-discrimination testing.
• Supports the administration of the 401k and Employees’ Retirement plans and Partner Retirement Plans as needed.
• Identifies issues and works with the appropriate department or vendor to solve problems.
• Compiles data and metric information used to help identify problems and find trends.
• Under general direction of a Benefits leader, supports managing risk and other regulatory compliance matters in collaboration with ERISA counsel, broker/consultants, vendors, and P&C Leadership.
• Supports the execution of the firm strategies that support the “whole self” and align with and support our employment brand proposition.
• Ensures plan documents and procedural documentation is updated accordingly and plan procedures, plan documents and notices are housed appropriately.
• Updates the Firm’s Intranet and ensures all required documents are posted and current.
• Reviews compliance reporting requirements and prepares communications to plan participants.
• Pulls data and census information for Total Rewards offerings, reporting, and vendor requirements.
• Updates HRIS systems for benefit/retirement plan changes.
• Administers benefit changes for GMOB and coordinates between both Firm and GMOB pay systems to ensure compliance with IRS regulations.
• Works with payroll, HRIS and P&C community to address issues holistically.
• Manage, mentor, and coach staff within their scope.
• Ensure quality in the delivery of all products.
• Deliver a “high touch” people experiences related to assigned plans, including the experience delivered during new hire onboarding communication of benefits, responding to employee questions and other general questions about the benefit programs for the firm.  
• Support managing vendor contracts, monthly invoice processing and managing plan budgets.
• Support completion and review of annual 5500 filings, non-discrimination testing and other compliance reporting requirements for assigned plans.
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in related field
• 3 or more years of related work experience
• PHR, SPHR, or CEBS credentials a plus
• Past experience functioning as a Benefits Specialist or Administrator preferably within a consulting or professional services environment
• Experience in prioritization with demonstrated ability to manage multiple conflicting priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Highly collaborative and action-oriented; someone who can build collaborative relationships across a matrixed organization.
• Confident and strong personal initiative as someone who is willing to get into the details, roll up their sleeves, and do whatever it takes to get the job done
• Operationally focused with ability to think creatively and deliver tactically
• Metrics-focused with ability and history of using analytics to identify problems and propose solutions
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills
• A reputation for discretion, integrity, judgment, responsiveness, strong attention to detail and common sense
• Excellent PC skills with proficiency in MS Office
• Ability to travel as needed.  Expected travel less than 5%

The base salary range for this position is between $76,000 and $102,600. Placement within the pay range is at Grant Thornton’s discretion, and it is based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, job -related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, progression within the role, geographic location, and internal equity. At Grant Thornton, compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.