Benefits Manager U.S. Health and Welfare

Avaya is known as a leader in helping organizations around the world succeed by integrating communications with business strategy and operations. In fact, Avaya came about as an independent company so it could bring even more focus to innovating in business communications.

Under limited direction, the Health and Welfare Benefits Manager owns all functions relating to the company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, assigned risk and welfare employee programs in the U.S. This includes analysis and administration of benefits for employee populations that are active, retired, represented and terminated. This role is also responsible for the management of company wellness, FSA, HSA, HRA, and commuter benefit programs.

Principal activities include extensive management of day-to-day processes within the benefits administration and outside provider activities for enrollment, issue escalations, program delivery, regulatory compliance and participant communications.

• Determine employee benefit practices by benchmarking best practices; researching industry and employment trends, completing surveys, tracking legislation and estimating impact.
• Oversee provider invoice reconciliation and payments
• Recommend employee benefit programs by examining, evaluating, and optimizing employee understanding, acceptance, and interests, costs, regulatory requirements, and competitive advantage. Needs to know how to expertly leverage consultants in the review of these plans
• Evaluate proposed employee benefit contracts by studying provisions, costs and estimating impact
• Explain employee benefits by conducting meetings; preparing written and graphic announcements and explanations; responding to requests.
• Provide management planning and control information by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing employee benefit data and trends.
• Drive programs and provide guidance to other HR personnel for all related HIPAA, ERISA, DOL, ACA and IRS legislation as applicable
• Control and manage plan documents and Summary Plan Descriptions
• Drive and participate in all related audit processes for both internal and external parties
• Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Accomplish human resources and organization mission by completing related results as needed.
• Manage benefits providers and consultants
• Collaborate with internal labor relations; provide updates and regular meeting cadence with union personnel
• Oversee preparation of Form 5500s, Summary annual Reports and other federal and state compliance filings
• Understand and manage the private and public exchange environment for employee populations
• Drive vendor RFP and conversion efforts effectively
• Demonstrate cross-functional effectiveness with finance, legal, audit, treasury, and other HR

• Bachelor’s degree required with minimum of 5 years of experience
• Experience with a union population a plus
• Demonstrated project and program management skills along with attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong planning, initiative, and resourcefulness with ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and quickly adapt to changes in direction
• Experience with web based enrollment and vendor and payroll integration with benefits system
• Excellent listening, analytical & complex problem -solving skills
• Strong communication and customer service skills are required
• Flexible and proactive problem-solver, adept at achieving results in a team-oriented and collaborative environment
• Able to exercise independent judgment, with a certain degree of creativity and latitude
• Technical proficiency
• Excel and PowerPoint should be a strength
• Exceptional analytical abilities, accuracy, and attention to detail are required
• Strong Project Management skills, ability to prioritize and produce results are critical for success in this role
• Must be able to physically work at company headquarters in Santa Clara, CA