Southern Company

Employee Benefits Consultant

Southern Company • $80K — $95K *
Naperville, IL 60540In-Person
Business Services
Less than 5 years of experience
Today
Be an Early Applicant
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in HR, business, finance, or related field preferred
  • Minimum of 4 years of experience in employee benefit plan administration or vendor management
  • Proven analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Demonstrated project management capabilities

Responsibilities

  • Facilitate new benefit plan designs and update documentation
  • Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
  • Develop and deliver benefit-related communication materials
  • Troubleshoot complex inquiries and participant issues
  • Manage relationships and performance with benefit vendors
  • Support internal stakeholders with benefits-related requests
  • Collaborate on Total Rewards initiatives for employee experience

Benefits

  • Opportunity to lead projects aimed at improving vendor efficiency
  • Become part of a team that emphasizes a collaborative culture
  • Engage in meaningful work aligned with Total Rewards priorities
  • Gain exposure to benefit plan development and administration
  • Enjoy a role that balances independent and team-oriented tasks
Full Job Description
Job Description

The Health & WelfareBenefits Consultant supports the day-to-day operations of the Health & Welfare (H&W) team by providing ongoing administration and oversight of group benefit programs and vendors and serving as a primary contact for vendors and internal HR partners.

The successful candidate has experience in benefit plan administration and vendor management, along with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. The role should be a confident communicator with a customer service focused mindset and the ability to work effectively and efficiently both independently and in a team environment.

This position will be filled as a grade level 5 or 6 depending on relevant experience.

JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

This role will work under the direction of the Supervisor, Health & Welfare to achieve the goals of the H&W team and support alignment with broader Total Rewards priorities, including high-value benefit programs, employee experience, operational efficiency, governance, and data-informed decision making.

Benefits Administration
  • Facilitate implementation of new benefit plan design features and update plan documentation, procedures, and related materials to reflect plan design changes
  • Support compliance with legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements related to benefit plans and vendor administration
  • Partner with H&W leadership to develop and deliver benefit-related communications
  • Provide support for complex benefit-related inquiries and escalated participant issues, as needed
  • Maintain effective communication with internal stakeholders on benefits-related matters or requests for benefits and/or vendor support (e.g. presenting at business meetings)
  • Coordinate resolution of member claims, appeals and escalated cases - partner with internal and external resources for timely execution


Vendor Management
  • Manage day-to-day relationships with vendors, monitoring trends, issues, and customer service levels, raising appropriate risks, opportunities, and enhancements to leadership
  • Analyze vendor-related issues and recommend solutions
  • Monitor vendor service delivery and data interfaces; identify opportunities to improve operating efficiency using data and trends to inform recommendations
  • Develop and maintain plan and vendor summaries
  • Coordinate plan and vendor audits, identify trends or issues affecting participants and processes, and recommend or implement appropriate follow-up actions
  • Actively monitor, evaluate and report on plan and vendor performance using established key performance indicators
  • Support new vendor selection and current vendor renewal activities
  • Coordinate with vendors, as needed, to support Annual Enrollment processes
  • Support or lead assigned projects to improve customer experience, vendor efficiency, and cost effectiveness
  • Support vendor invoice review and coordination, as needed


Total Rewards Alignment
  • Support execution of broader Total Rewards priorities by helping ensure Health & Welfare programs are competitive, sustainable, and aligned with business and workforce needs.
  • Bring an enterprise Total Rewards perspective to day-to-day work by connecting Health & Welfare activities to employee experience, operational effectiveness, and long-term program success and value.
  • Collaborate across Total Rewards, HR, vendors, and internal stakeholders to support integrated solutions and a consistent employee experience across rewards programs.
  • Contribute to a One Team approach by collaborating on initiatives that integrate Health & Welfare, wellbeing, retirement, and other rewards programs where appropriate.


JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education

  • Bachelor's degree in HR, business, finance, or related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience


Experience

  • Must have a minimum of 4 years of progressive experience in employee benefit plan administration, vendor management, or related benefits operations required.


Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Effective critical thinking and problem-solving skills: skilled at relating and comparing data from different sources, identifying issues, securing relevant information, critically evaluating situations, and presenting sound factual reports
  • Confident and skilled to work independently as well as in a team environment
  • Flexible and adaptable - able to learn new technologies and applications quickly
  • Demonstrates effective project management skills - able to multi-task seamlessly
  • Exhibits the highest level of customer service focused on ownership, speed, responsiveness, and accuracy
  • Demonstrates strong communication skills - ensures key stakeholders are updated and informed; experience developing successful working relationships to drive effectiveness
  • Demonstrates behaviors consistent with the Southern Company culture: Safety First, Intentional Inclusion, Act with Integrity, Superior Performance


About the Team

Southern Company Services

About Southern Company

With 4.4 million customers and more than 42,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company is the premier energy company serving the Southeast. A leading U.S. producer of electricity, Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states and a growing competitive generation company, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and retail electric prices that are significantly below the national average. Southern Company has been listed the top ranking U.S. electric service provider in customer satisfaction for nine consecutive years by the American Customer Satisfaction Index.

Southern Company Careers

Join the dynamic team at Southern Company, a leader in energy innovation and a champion of sustainable practices. As one of the most respected companies in the energy sector, Southern Company offers unparalleled job opportunities that promise not only professional growth but also a commitment to diversity and leadership development.

Work You’ll Do

At Southern Company, we are not just about power generation; we are about empowering our team to innovate and lead the industry. By joining our team, you will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the field, using your skills to solve complex problems and drive meaningful change.

Explore a World of Opportunities

Whether you are looking for a full-time position, an internship, or a leadership role, Southern Company has a place for you. Our wide range of employment options ensures that every team member can find a path that best suits their career ambitions and skills.

Innovate and Lead

Southern Company is at the forefront of technological innovation in the energy sector. Our team members are encouraged to lead projects and initiatives that push the boundaries of what is possible in energy production and management.

Grow and Develop

We believe in nurturing the potential of our employees through targeted diversity training, leadership workshops, and continuous professional development. Career growth at Southern Company is not just a possibility—it is an expectation.

Be Part of Our Culture

Southern Company’s culture is built on a foundation of respect, integrity, and inclusion. We celebrate diversity and believe that it drives innovation. Our team is our family, and we support each other in achieving personal and professional goals.

Benefits That Go Beyond

Choosing a career at Southern Company means enjoying a range of benefits designed to enrich your life and support your lifestyle. From health and wellness programs to retirement plans, we ensure our team members are taken care of.

Join Our Team

Ready to power up your career? Explore the job opportunities at Southern Company today. We are actively hiring and looking for passionate, curious, and solution-driven individuals. Enhance your skills, join a community of innovators, and work towards a sustainable future.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest at Southern Company by following our careers blog. Gain insider perspectives, industry-leading insights, and practical tips to advance your career.

Networking and Career Advancement

At Southern Company, networking and internal mobility are key components of career advancement. Connect with leaders, engage in cross-departmental projects, and take your professional journey to new heights.

Prepare for Your Interview

Make your mark from the first interview. Visit our career site for tips on crafting your resume, preparing for interviews, and making a lasting impression.

Join Southern Company—where careers glow brighter!

SEARCH SOUTHERN COMPANY JOBS Stay ahead of the curve in your career with Southern Company, where innovation meets tradition and every employee is empowered to excel.
Learn more about Southern Company
Size
27,000 employees
Market Cap
$77.6 billion
Industry
Energy & Utilities
Net Income
$3.1 billion
Founded
1912
5 Year Trend
+3%
Revenue
$20.3 billion
* Ladders Estimates

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