Benefits Analyst

The Benefits Analyst is a key member of the company’s Total Rewards team whose purpose is to ensure that we can attract, reward and retain talent by providing a comprehensive and competitive compensation and benefits package to support our employees’ total wellbeing. Under general supervision, this position assists with the administration of employee benefit programs and services. With a primary focus on employee health and welfare and 401(k) plans, this position may also assist in the delivery and administration of other total rewards programs as needed. This position serves as a liaison with service providers in business planning and benefit program interpretation, as well as provides guidance and counsel to employees, managers, and business partners. The ideal candidate possesses a strong analytical background and can effectively communicate with all levels of the organization.

What You’ll Be Doing:

The Benefits Analyst is a key member of the company’s Total Rewards team whose purpose is to ensure that we can attract, reward and retain talent by providing a comprehensive and competitive compensation and benefits package to support our employees’ total wellbeing. Under general supervision, this position assists with the administration of employee benefit programs and services. With a primary focus on employee health and welfare and 401(k) plans, this position may also assist in the delivery and administration of other total rewards programs as needed. This position serves as a liaison with service providers in business planning and benefit program interpretation, as well as provides guidance and counsel to employees, managers, and business partners. The ideal candidate possesses a strong analytical background and can effectively communicate with all levels of the organization.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The essential responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

Plan Administration (40%)

• Maintains administration timelines and ongoing operations activity calendar to ensure timely and accurate completion of tasks. Participates in the development, implementation and ongoing maintenance of procedures relevant to the administration of total rewards programs.
• Prepares documentation and data files, coordinates the transfer of data files and invoice payments between Equity Residential and its vendors.
• Monitors carrier interfaces and processing results; makes changes and corrections as needed.
• Tracks and administers eligibility for employee benefits plans. Monitors plan limits, eligibility and other restrictions on plan participation to ensure compliance with both plan provisions and federal and state government requirements.
• Researches and troubleshoots company and employee issues. Collaborates with internal and external business partners in resolving issues. Provides friendly, timely, and accurate customer service to the employees of Equity Residential.
• Supports vendor relationships and reviews billing invoice discrepancies, conducts external audits and reporting, and oversees requests from customers.

Data Analysis & Reporting (30%)

• Conducts system audits and corrections to ensure data integrity and accuracy; perform reconciliation of benefit vendor data files, payroll, direct billings and payments and/or invoices.
• Analyzes benefits and human resources systems for overall effectiveness in administering total rewards programs. Develops departmental processes to improve delivery of products to customers.
• Creates ad hoc reports in support of business needs, including all levels of management.
• Delivers accurate and timely reports and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders.

Project Management (10%)

• Serves as a representative on cross-functional teams and collaborates with other HR functions to deliver holistic solutions to address employee and business needs.
• Coordinates and participates in activities surrounding Annual Benefits Enrollment and wellbeing initiatives.
• Participates in initiatives relevant to acquisitions/mergers, plan design changes, and vendor conversions as applicable.
• Contributes to project plans for large scope projects or special requests with contingencies and moves them to completion.

Compliance (10%)

• Compiles data necessary to complete government compliance activities (5500s, audits, etc.), employee mailings, and vendor billings.
• Assists the Benefits Manager with ensuring timely completion of assigned compliance activities as prescribed in the annual compliance calendar.

Communications (10%)

• Participates in the design and implementation of employee communication campaigns relevant to employee benefits and wellbeing initiatives, including those materials related to Annual Benefits Enrollment.
• Updates forms, letters, emails and procedural documentation, as required.
• Participates in preparation of Plan Documents/SPDs.

Additional Requirements

• Represents the Company in a professional manner at all times. Consistently maintains a professional courteous attitude when dealing with residents, coworkers and the general public.
• Works with protected health information and confidential data. Maintains employee confidence by keeping benefits information confidential.
• Execute time management and organizational skills, pay attention to detail, and prioritize to meet deadlines.
• Performs other duties as necessary.

The Company may revise this job description from time to time as business needs require. It is not intended to be an exhaustive listing of all the functions of the job, nor limit the Company’s right to assign other functions to an employee in this position. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge/Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources Management or related field strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of prior human resources and/or benefits experience required. Benefits outsourcing experience and/or experience working with outsourced service providers a plus.
• Demonstrates high learning agility, curiosity in learning new skills and seeks to broaden one’s knowledge in Human Resources.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, communicate effectively, draft written communication materials, and strong analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Intermediate proficiency with analyzing data in Microsoft Excel, specifically Pivot Tables and VLOOKUPs.
• Must possess the ability to work independently, have excellent organizational skills, and be able to effectively prioritize workload. Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality is also required for this role.
• Must demonstrate a solid understanding of general benefit plan rules; Experience with benefits enrollment and payroll systems strongly preferred.
• HR certification is a plus (CEBS, CBP, PHR, SPHR).

SALARY: $71,015 - $86,796 per year; in addition to base salary, a discretionary annual 10.5% bonus is provided.

The successful candidate's starting pay will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, and qualifications.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT Office environment. Monday-Thursday onsite; Friday is a remote work from home day.

We Care About Your Total Wellbeing:

• Physical Wellbeing: Medical, dental, and vision care
• Social Wellbeing: 9 paid holidays, annual vacation time, paid sick leave, new parent benefits
• Financial Wellbeing: 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan, Rent Discounts, Competitive Compensation
• Community Wellbeing: Paid Community Service Hours
• Career Wellbeing: Leadership Development
• Learn more about our Total Wellbeing program here.

PHYSICAL AND VISUAL ACTIVITIES:

Ability to hear and speak well enough to converse verbally over the phone and in-person (expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken or written word). Ability to interpret, evaluate and communicate detailed written or verbal instructions to others accurately and easily. Able to see well enough to use the computer effectively and read written communications. Ability to lift, push, pull or carry up to 15 pounds for the dissemination of documents, supplies, materials, etc. to various locations throughout the office/facility. May be required to climb stairs depending on the property structure.

The above describes the physical and visual activities that are commonly associated with the performance of the essential functions of this job. “Commonly associated” is not intended to mean always or only. Reasonable accommodation will be provided as required by law to enable otherwise qualified employees with a known disability to perform the essential functions of the job.

About Us

Working for Equity Residential (EQR), a leading multi-family real estate investment trust (REIT), means living our purpose: creating communities where people thrive. It means striving to provide the best in apartment living, speaking boldly about new ideas for innovation, and inspiring creativity in the ways we work together.

Our portfolio of high-quality properties in urban growth markets – New York City, Boston, Washington DC, Seattle, San Francisco, Southern California, and Denver – provides homes where people most want to live, work and play. We've got the best people in the business, as evidenced by our employee engagement scores and customer loyalty ratings. That’s why our employees say they are proud to work at Equity, a company that gives our residents a place where they can Live Remarkably, and offers a culture where our employees have the opportunity to thrive.