Senior Benefits Analyst

The Sr. Benefits Analyst is the operational owner of the benefits and retirement function for ~800 employees across Tides Network and Tides Center. This role encompasses end-to-end health and welfare benefits administration, 403(b) and 457 retirement plan administration and compliance, financial reconciliation and billing, LOA and workers’ compensation oversight, and vendor management. The Sr. Benefits Analyst operates with significant autonomy over vendor relationships, billing reconciliation, and compliance execution, escalating renewal strategy, plan design, and budget decisions to the Total Rewards Director. The ideal candidate embodies Tides’ core values — Respect, Accountability, Creativity, Equity, and Empowerment — and brings deep technical proficiency and a service-oriented mindset.

Responsibilities

Administer all benefit programs (medical, dental, vision, life, disability, FSA/HSA, voluntary, COBRA); manage enrollments, QLE changes, terminations, and eligibility tracking; Audit enrollment and eligibility data; resolve discrepancies with vendors, carriers, and internal stakeholders; Manage benefits inbox daily; handle employee verification requests and coordination of benefits; Serve as escalated contact for complex benefits inquiries and cross-functional cases; Support new hire benefits education and offboarding; own end-to-end open enrollment; Own carrier billing across multiple vendors; reconcile via reconciliation vendor, resolving retro adjustments, terminations, and eligibility mismatches; Process invoices, check requests, and payment submissions; partner with Finance/AP; maintain audit documentation; Identify opportunities to streamline billing/reconciliation; partner with HR systems and Finance on automation; Serve as primary vendor/carrier liaison; manage day-to-day service issues and escalations; Participate in renewals and service reviews; bring recommendations and analysis to the Director; Support new vendor implementation or system migration as needed; Primary liaison for third-party LOA vendor (FMLA, ADA, state leave, STD/LTD); respond to vendor questions and maintain eligibility alignment; Administer Paid Family Leave (PFL) forms and processing; Manage workers’ compensation claims communications with employees, carriers, and stakeholders; Maintain OSHA logs, compliance, and required posting; Ensure LOA/benefits/payroll alignment; distribute all required compliance notices; Administer 403(b) and 457 plans: enrollments, contribution changes, loans, withdrawals, distributions, and rollovers with the record-keeper; Liaise with record-keeper and investment advisor; manage service issues; participate in annual plan reviews; Reconcile employee and employer contributions with payroll; Coordinate Form 5500, nondiscrimination testing (ADP/ACP), RMDs, and plan audit support; Distribute required participant notices (SPD, Safe Harbor, QDIA, fee disclosures) within deadlines; Ensure compliance with ACA, ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA; prepare health/welfare Form 5500s, nondiscrimination testing, and state filings; Prepare biweekly benefits reports; maintain ADP/SharePoint records supporting audits and regulatory reviews

Requirements

Expert knowledge of benefits regulations: ACA, ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, state PFL laws; Working knowledge of 403(b) and 457 plan administration, IRS/DOL compliance, and record-keeper operations; Financial acumen in billing reconciliation, invoice processing, and cross-departmental coordination; Advanced ADP Workforce Now proficiency (benefits module, reporting); Advanced Excel: complex formulas, pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, ad hoc reporting; Workers’ comp and LOA oversight experience, including vendor liaison work; Strong vendor management skills; Operates with autonomy on vendor relationships; escalates strategy appropriately; Clear, empathetic communicator with sound judgment on confidential information; Bachelor’s in HR, Business, or related field (equivalent experience accepted); 5 - 7 years progressive benefits/HR administration experience; 403(b) and/or 457 retirement plan administration required; Workers’ comp and LOA oversight required

Nice to have

3+ years ADP Workforce Now strongly preferred; Compliance and record-keeper liaison strongly preferred; Implementation experience a plus; STD/LTD familiarity preferred; Nonprofit or multi-state organization background strongly preferred; CEBS, CBP, PHR, or SPHR a plus; NAPA or ASPPA retirement credential a plus; Payroll/accounting familiarity a plus