Pierce Atwood Hiring for Benefits Manager & Human Resources Specialist Job at Boston, MA Full Time

The Benefits Manager and Human Resources Specialist is responsible for managing the firm’s comprehensive health benefit programs, including as well the day-to-day activities of the firm’s 401(k) plan, tuition reimbursement and compliance reporting. In addition, this person will also be asked to assist with various human resources duties as needed, including employee relations and performance management as well as various administrative tasks such as preparing a monthly headcount report.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage our health benefits programs, including:
  • Ensure all new hires are enrolled in firm benefits as appropriate. Conduct the benefits portion of new hire orientation.
  • Provide instruction to new and existing partners/employees who are newly enrolling in, or changing, benefits elections.
  • Process benefits termination for partners/employees departing the Firm. Conduct exit interview to review impact on benefits as a result of separation from the Firm as well as provide post-separation coverage options. Administer COBRA as required.
  • Serve as point person for all inquiries on benefits programs, striving to ensure quick, accurate, courteous and empathetic resolution.
  • Perform responsibilities keeping in mind compliance with provisions of ERISA, IRS, U.S. and state Departments of Labor (DOL) as well as Affordable Care Act (ACA) regulations. Monitor and ensure timely and accurate preparation of reports and applications required by law to be filed with federal and state agencies. Review, analyze, and implement changes to benefits plans as impacted by new and/or revised federal and state laws.
  • Maintain accurate benefits records in compliance with related data privacy regulations.
  • Working with the firm’s health insurance broker, and in consultation with the Director of Human Resources, ensure the design of our health plans remain current and competitive. Help Director of Human Resources and firm leadership assess whether or not the firm should “go to market” to solicit bids from other carriers.
  • Coordinate annual benefits open enrollment process.
    
    • Ensure implementation of approved new plans and revisions to those already in place.
    • Assist Director of Human Resources as requested in preparing related communications.
    • Schedule and conduct open enrollment meetings for all Pierce Atwood offices.
    • Working in conjunction with our on-line open enrollment system vendor, ensure the system is updated to reflect any plan/rate changes.
    • Perform testing to ensure system is accurate and functional for the open enrollment process.
    • Prior to first payroll of new plan year, conduct audit to ensure accuracy of payroll deductions made as a result of open enrollment changes.
  • Develop and maintain successful and productive partnerships with vendors, consultants, and brokers so as to provide effective benefit plan administration as well as analysis of usage and cost effectiveness. Make recommendations to Director of Human Resources for changes to benefits plan line-up that might provide more effective options.
    • Coordinate the Firm’s wellness program. Develop and make recommendations to Director of Human Resources for an annual wellness plan that raises awareness of wellness-related issues and addresses key issues/concerns for our employees.
  • Coordinate workers’ compensation claims, including first report of injuries, doctor’s appointments, reports to carriers, and coordination with Office Services.
  • Manage the Firm’s various leave of absences programs, including parental leave, STD/LTD, FMLA and PFML and partner with Payroll Specialist to ensure timely payments when necessary.
  • Reconcile monthly invoices from benefits providers as necessary. Code and submit for payment as per Firm policies.
  • Regularly audit and perform quality checks to ensure the accuracy of all benefits related data in our in firm’s HRIS system (Paylocity) as well as on carrier websites.

• Manage our 401(k) plan, including:
  • Coordinate defined contribution retirement plan in conjunction with the Plan Administrator:
    • Maintain organized files.
    • Facilitate/participate in the annual audits and Form 5500 filing process.
    • Ensure we are meeting our notice obligations to plan participants.
    • Attend quarterly investment committee meetings. Prepare draft minutes for committee/advisor review and approval. Distribute minutes accordingly.
    • Coordinate the annual profit sharing calculations and top heavy testing with 401(k) record keeper.
    • Review plan documents as necessary in handling issues as they arise. Work with record keeper as well as ERISA counsel for plan interpretation, as appropriate.
    • Coordinate 401(k) education meetings for all Pierce Atwood offices.

• Assist with other tasks within the Human Resources department.
  
  • As requested by the Director of Human Resources:
    • Partner with Directors of administrative functions, Partners-in-Charge and Practice Group Leaders in handling employee relations and performance management issues.
    • Find solutions to resolve workload distribution issues due to employee absences.
    • Miscellaneous tasks of varying complexity.
  • Manage compliance responsibilities, including preparation of the EEO-1 report and other federal and state reporting requests, such as the quarterly Bureau of Labor Statistics Multiple Worksite Report (MWR).
  • Prepare monthly headcount report.
  • Assist as necessary with coordinating special events, such as annual staff recognition lunch, Staff Appreciation Week activities, Portland Day of Community Service, and Portland United Way Campaign.
  • Backup HR and Recruiting Coordinator in approving timecards, ensuring they are accurately completed and taking the necessary steps when they are not.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of previous benefits administration experience in both health and retirement plans; prior experience in a law firm is desirable. College degree strongly preferred.
• PHR, SPHR or CEBS designation preferred.
• Operate with a superior level of customer service, whether internal or external.
• Previous experience with Paylocity is desirable.
• Strong organizational, attention to detail, time management and multi-tasking abilities.
• Ability to work in fast-paced environment with ever-changing deadlines/priorities.
• Ability to work well independently but also function as part of a team.
• Strong communications skills – both written and verbal.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality concerning financial and employee information.
• Solid Microsoft Office skills (Excel, Word, Outlook)

To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume to Heather Higgins at [email protected].