Job Summary:
Manages NEXCOM's active and post-retirement health and welfare benefit programs, including medical, dental, life, and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, and voluntary benefits. Oversees plan administration, eligibility, enrollments, financial reconciliation, regulatory compliance, and audits. Supervises benefits personnel and coordinates with internal and external stakeholders to ensure accurate and timely service delivery. Supports Pension and 401(k) administration and collaborates with the Portability Manager to ensure continuity of benefits for eligible associates transferring between DoD NAF and APF employment systems.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Manages the administration of NEXCOM's active and post-retirement health and welfare benefit programs, including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, and voluntary benefits.
- Oversees benefit enrollments, terminations, eligibility determinations, dependent and beneficiary updates, qualifying events, and coverage changes in accordance with applicable plan provisions.
- Ensures accurate HRIS transactions, timely eligibility notifications, and coordination with Payroll for proper benefit deductions.
- Administers post-retirement medical, dental, and life insurance benefits, including grandfathered plans, retiree communications, premium collections, coverage terminations, and reconciliation of benefit records.
- Coordinates with insurers, brokers, and third-party administrators regarding benefit payments, recordkeeping, plan communications, and customer service matters.
- Researches benefit program costs and supports the development, implementation, and annual enrollment of Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans.
- Investigates and resolves complex eligibility, enrollment, reinstatement, coverage termination, and benefit entitlement issues.
- Adjudicates complex or unusual claims involving life, disability, and health benefit plans.
- Supports Pension and 401(k) plan administration, including enrollments, beneficiary updates, plan elections, recordkeeping, and coordination with plan administrators to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Collaborates with the Portability Manager to facilitate continuity of health, life insurance, and retirement benefits for eligible associates transferring between DoD NAF and APF employment systems.
- Coordinates with HR, Payroll, plan administrators, and external agencies to verify eligibility, obtain documentation, and process Portability-related benefit transactions.
- Assists eligible associates and retirees with Portability-related benefit enrollments, coverage elections, and resolution of eligibility or enrollment issues in accordance with applicable plan provisions.
- Assists retirees with Social Security documentation, retirement estimates, retirement correspondence, and life insurance benefit inquiries, as applicable.
- Ensures compliance with applicable benefit plan provisions, Affordable Care Act requirements, IRS reporting obligations, and federal benefit regulations.
- Monitors changes in Social Security, IRS, and federal benefit regulations; evaluates their impact on NEXCOM benefit programs and administrative procedures.
- Reviews and reconciles carrier billing, benefit deductions, premium payments, and plan records; coordinates with Finance and Payroll to resolve discrepancies.
- Participates in internal and external benefit plan audits, providing documentation, research, and responses to audit inquiries.
- Evaluates and strengthens administrative processes and internal controls to ensure accurate plan accounting, recordkeeping, and regulatory compliance.
- Certifies associate eligibility, employment, and coverage status in accordance with applicable Privacy Act requirements.
- Develops, reviews, and updates benefit enrollment forms, plan documents, administrative materials, and associate communications.
- Coordinates publication of current benefit plan information, forms, and resources on the Total Rewards HR website.
- Maintains working relationships with HR representatives, Payroll, Finance, insurers, third-party administrators, actuaries, auditors, and external agencies.
- Participates in DoD NAF Employee Benefits Committee meetings, providing administrative input regarding plan design, structure, and cost-sharing considerations.
- Advises associates, retirees, and HR representatives regarding benefit eligibility, plan options, enrollment requirements, and applicable administrative procedures.
- Supervises benefits administration personnel; assigns and evaluates work, conducts performance reviews, approves leave, recommends disciplinary actions, and participates in employee selection.
- Provides employee training, coaching, and technical guidance to ensure effective benefits administration, service continuity, and operational efficiency.
- Ensures adherence to Equal Employment Opportunity policies and promotes fair and equitable personnel management practices.
- Promotes courteous, responsive customer service and maintains current knowledge of benefit programs and evolving workforce needs.
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 on policy and precedent matters. The 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 the provisions of the respective plans.
#LI-NEX
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.
AND
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: 4 years of progressively responsible experience in benefits administration, encompassing group health, life insurance, dental, disability, flexible spending accounts, voluntary benefits, retirement, and post-retirement plans, working knowledge of applicable federal benefit laws and regulations, including ACA compliance, IRS reporting requirements, and Social Security benefit rules as they relate to employee and retiree benefits.
This includes experience administering benefits programs; resolving eligibility, enrollment, and coverage issues; 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.
