Benefits Analyst

The Role

Responsible for developing and implementing benefits programming, including short-term disability programming across the Region. Collaborates with others and advises on benefits initiatives that improve employee experience and contain costs. Supports the development of reports regarding employee benefits and related functions and works directly with the insured benefits carrier to support the annual benefits renewal and costing of benefits proposals in support of collective bargaining and policy change. 

Provides leadership, technical supervision, training, and guidance to benefits coordinators in the delivery and administration of the Region’s employee benefits and employee leave programs (e.g., sick, vacation, maternity leave, and bereavement). 
 

Duties/Responsibilities

• Provides technical expertise, support, guidance, and training to benefits coordinators; periodically assigns and re-directs work to respond to urgent demands (e.g., strikes).
• Develops and maintains benefits program procedures, processes, and related knowledge tools for  consistent application and program administration (e.g., long term and short term disability, health, dental, life). Ensures processes and procedures comply with collective agreement rules, legislation, and HR policies. 
• Monitors operational compliance with policy, legislation, and standard practices and procedures. Prepares and reviews discrepancies and follows up with appropriate staff, including designated department/program area staff and managers/supervisors across the organization, to resolve discrepancies and provide related direction to correct inaccuracies.
• Leads the benefits team in the delivery of excellent customer service. Ensures the team pursues all reasonable measures to provide client satisfaction per collective agreement rules, laws, and HR policies. 
• Liaises with benefits carrier, HR staff involved with labour and employee relations and disability management, and operational management to resolve complex/escalated situations that are outside current benefits offerings/guidelines. Communicates decisions and changes in processes using clear, user-friendly terminology, and respecting client perspectives. 
• Supports development and implementation of benefits programming. Runs reports and analyses data. Provides summaries regarding usage, costs, and trends. 
• Researches best/leading practices in benefits programming and administration.
• Provides guidance and advice, and makes recommendations on benefits initiatives that improve employee experience and/or contain costs. Works on project teams regarding changes to programming. 
• Analyzes and prepares financial information/costing relating to benefits plan annual renewals and proposals/options. 
• Prepares monthly payment for benefits carrier. Receives billing information for premiums and reconciles charges by type, group, and GL. Authorizes payments up to $10,000 to benefit carriers and benefits consultant.
• Has oversight and audit responsibility for terminations as they relate to payments over $10,000.
• Provides ongoing support and guidance to designated staff across the organization following and during implementation of new human resources information systems as they relate to time and attendance, and benefits. 
• Participates in the preparation and delivery of training materials used by regional employees (e.g., online webcasts, quick tips, in-class training).
• Participates on project teams to represent program interests and contribute to the development and enhancement of new systems. Participates in testing, provides feedback, and liaises with project staff to address issues with system functionality.
• Uses data and runs reports from human resources information system to identify and reconcile data, prepare costing information, and support program development. Conducts related analysis.
• Maintains documentation and other historical records and information related to treatment of complex situations and past practices. 
• Provides input to time and attendance and benefits training programs.
• Liaises directly with bargaining agent representatives as it relates to complex matters involving insured and non-insured benefits. 
• Works directly with the benefits carrier to support the resolution of complex employee matters, annual benefits renewal, and costing of benefits proposals (e.g., collective bargaining, policy change). 
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and skills in group benefits and pension programs and systems, and administrative policies and procedures, normally acquired through post-secondary education in Business Administration, Human Resource Management, or equivalent, plus progressively responsible experience in group pension and benefits administration for union and non-union groups.
• Knowledge and experience working with legislation such as the Workplace Safety & Insurance Act, Pension Benefits Act, Human Rights Code, Employment Standards Act, Service Canada and Canada Revenue Agency requirements, and other legislation related to benefits administration in union and non-union settings.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, collective agreements, and related legislation (e.g., employment standards, CRA, WSIB).
• Analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills to identify, monitor, and develop process requirements for compliance; reconcile data; analyze data and prepare reports and costing information to support decisions, resolve issues, and support changes and new programming.
• Math skills to perform costing projections and calculations.
• Ability to work independently, adapt to changing priorities and balance multiple, time-sensitive requests within expected timeframes. 
• Anticipates and presents change positively and undertakes appropriate actions to support successful implementation.  
• Leadership, consultation, and human relations skills to train, motivate, and support the benefits team; provide direction and guidance to various levels of regional staff regarding benefits (using diplomacy and tact); participate in working groups; present information and recommendations to management; respond to and/or facilitate response to escalations; and participate as an effective team member.  
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply collective agreements, reports, correspondence, applicable legislation, training/user manuals, and professional journals.
• Ability to prepare briefing materials and reports, including detailed costing and program information; develop and conduct information sessions and training; and respond to inquiries from HR peers, management across the organization, and union leaders, regarding benefits administration.
• Computer skills with the ability to use software such as Microsoft Office (including Excel); human resources, time and attendance, and document management systems; and benefits plan/carrier system. 
• Ability to travel within Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.