BENEFITS MANAGER - Military Veterans

Job Summary: Manages and administers the NEXCOM Benefits and Retirement Plans including active and post-retirement medical dental and life insurance disability insurance long term care insurance and flexible spending accounts. Ensures plan accounting and records are complete and accurate and completes all audits required by internal audit group as well as external auditors. Manages subordinate associates. Reports to the VP HR Total Rewards.

Duties and Responsibilities:

- Processes and/or reviews benefit plan enrollments, terminations, dependent/beneficiary updates, etc. Ensures proper application of complex Plan eligibility provisions, where applicable ensures plan changes and enrollments meet qualifying events in accordance with plan enrollment based on qualifying. Makes appropriate updates in the HRIS system and ensures timely notification of eligibility and ensures timely and accurate deductions are taken by payroll.

- Maintains close liaison with the Plan Insurers, brokers and 3rd Party Administrators regarding benefit payment, recordkeeping, plan communications and customer service issues. Participates in DoD NAF Employee Benefits Committee meetings to provide input regarding plan design, structure, and cost share as applicable.

- Researches cost and assists in the development and implementation of Health Maintenance Organization benefit programs. Advises NEXCOM associates of the Plan availability, plan tier options and cost of such programs. Assists field activities during the implementation process and annual HMO open enrollment period.

- Certifies eligibility and employment/coverage status of NEXCOM associates participating in the Life and Health Benefits plans, in accordance with Privacy Act requirements, responding to inquiries received from hospitals, insurance carriers and other health agencies.

- Administers the Post-Retirement Medical and Life Insurance Plans and "grandfathered" life insurance plans. Communicates directly with retirees on benefit entitlements and maintains accurate records. Ensures accurate deductions are taken from annuities or paid directly to NEXCOM for post- retirement medical/dental coverage, and update external systems ensuring to cancel coverage where applicable due to non-payment, and reconciles data between external and HRIS, benefits data.

- Assists retirees with preparing/completing social security forms. Prepares estimates and retirement letters. Provides retirees with information regarding their life insurance.

- Adjudicates the more difficult/unusual claims cases under the various Life, Disability and Health Benefits plans.

- Responsible for managing all aspects of Affordable Care Act, including, not limited to IRS reporting requirements etc.

- Investigates and resolves problems and questions concerning eligibility, enrollment, reinstatement, portability of benefits, termination of employment and entitlement to benefits based on proper application of Plan rules.

- Receives and reviews monthly billing reports for multiple HMO plans from respective insurance carriers. Audits for accuracy and coordinates with the Financial Division to ensure timely and accurate payments and credits as applicable. Resolves billing issues and questions directly with contracted Carriers.

- Keeps current on the changing Social Security, IRS and federal government benefit plan regulations relevant to Plans administered. Identifies and analyzes changes having impact on the Plans.

- Responsible for the development, revision and distribution of all forms necessary for the administration of Life and Health Benefits Plans. Ensures all relative Plan documents are accurate and updated in accordance with Plan changes authorized. Coordinates posting of the updated documents with designated page master to ensure current and accurate information posted to the Total Rewards section of the HR website.

- Participates in NEXCOM Command Internal and External Group Health Insurance Plan audits. Provides data, researches and answers questions raised during the audit, reviews controls in place, and develops and/or revises business processes to ensure appropriate controls are in place to ensure accuracy of plan records and accounting.

- Maintains close working relationship with NEXCOM Human Resources Managers, Accounting and Payroll staff, Internal and External Plan Auditors, TPAs, Actuaries, etc.

- In addition, incumbent of this position is expected to develop a thorough understanding of pension and 401(k) plans, supporting the administration of these programs. This may include performing the following duties in a training and development capacity to ensure continuity of benefits operations, and seamless administration of benefits and retirement plans. May assist associates with enrollment, coordinating with third-party plan administrators, and ensuring proper compliance and reporting requirements for the retirement plans.

- Carries out policies to achieve Equal Employment Opportunity. Ensures that human resources management is accomplished without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age or national origin.

- Carries out policy of courtesy and service. Tactfully responds to inquiries and provides assistance in a prompt and friendly manner. Actively seeks to become knowledgeable of new plan designs, benefits that maintain currency and where applicable meets the needs of generational differences.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Manages a group of associates involved in the administration of NEXCOM's employee benefit plans. Manages, organizes and assigns work, completes work performance reviews, approves leave, recommends disciplinary action, and selects applicants for unit vacancies. Provides on-the-job training and counsels associates as required.

Works under the general supervision of the VP HR Total Rewards, who makes assignments and is available for assistance and guidance, regarding questions of policy and precedent matters. Incumbent works independently and is required to be knowledgeable in all facets of the benefits Plans and eligibility criteria of the defined benefit and defined contribution plans (NEXCOM Pension and 401K plans respectively). Work is reviewed for overall technical accuracy and compliance with provisions of respective plans.

Requirements

3546 MGR, BENEFITS AND RETIREMENT - MQRs

Requires a total of 7 years of experience as indicated below:

GENERAL EXPERIENCE: 3 years of responsible experience which enabled the applicant the ability to gain general knowledge of the Human Resources Generalist or Benefits Administration specialist role; general understanding of the systems, methods, and administrative machinery for accomplishing work; the ability to analyze problems, apply sound judgment in assessing practical implications of alternative solutions and resolving the problems presented; and the ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing.

OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: 1 year of academic study above the high school level may be substituted for 9 months of experience, up to a maximum of a 4 year bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Account or related field for 3 years of general experience.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: 4 years of progressively responsible experience in benefits administration, encompassing group health, life insurance, retirement, and post-retirement plans, and comprehensive knowledge of DOL and IRS regulations, ACA compliance, and Social Security benefit rules. This includes experience coordinating audits, compliance reporting, and data reconciliation; advanced proficiency in HRIS platforms (e.g., PeopleSoft, ADP) and payroll systems; and experience collaborating with internal and external partners. Minimum two years of exempt or nonexempt supervisory experience.

Professional Certifications Preferred but not required: Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP, or PHR/SPHR are highly desirable.