Senior Manager of Benefits - Plano, United States - Haynes and Boone

Description

At Haynes and Boone, our people are the driving force behind our success. Because we value the role every individual plays in how we deliver exceptional legal services, we hire people who will contribute to our professional reputation, enhance client relationships and share in our success.

Haynes and Boone's Dallas-North office serves clients throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, nationally and internationally. Our office includes a large group of the firm's intellectual property and patent professionals, along with corporate, security, and technology law professionals. Our team members handle complex patent trial matters, including inter partes review proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and many of our attorneys are nationally recognized in this area of law. Our Dallas-North lawyers also counsel clients in patent strategy, patent prosecution and portfolio management, licensing, and litigation. Our lawyers are recognized in publications such as the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White, Inc.) We are committed to having a diverse workforce that reflects our communities, and we seek highly motivated lawyers and staff who value our culture of respect and teamwork. The new Dallas-North office is located in a mixed-use building with access to retail, restaurants and apartments at Legacy West in Plano - home to several national and global corporations.

Responsible for the management of the Firm's health, welfare, retirement benefit plans and programs and leave administration in all firm operations. Leads initiatives to plan and recommend overall design, implement, communicate, and administer benefits to assure and maintain the Firm's competitive position while supporting the Firms strategic goals. Coordinates and oversees brokers assuring quality review, industry benchmarking, vendor and plan cost effectiveness, adherence to regulations, and compliance with governmental state and federal regulations. Develops, recommends, and implements new or changed plans and policies to support firm wide employees and Partners and synchronizes with internal departments. Monitors cost control procedures to assure maximum coverage at the least possible cost to Firm, employee, and Partner. Provides special guidance and assistance to Firm locations. Special projects involving benefit involvement such as mergers, acquisitions, technology changes/upgrades or Committee requests. Supports the HRIS benefits module to maximize Firm capabilities.

Essential Duties

• Oversees the efficient operation and administration of the following functional activities; health and welfare, workers' compensation, qualified retirement/savings plans, compliance and leave programs and policies.
• Evaluates and compares existing Firm benefits to industry and professional employers by analyzing other plans, surveys, and other sources of information. Assures Firm plans, develops, and/or participates in benefit area and industry surveys. Analyzes results of surveys and develops specific recommendations for review by management.
• Responsible for the annual renewal processes for US and international locations. Develops census data, evaluation of quotations presented by broker, and makes recommendations to management and/or Committees. Reviews cost analysis to budget and sharing of expenditures between Firm, employee, and Partner for Committee review. Strives to maintain consistency between locations with varying programs.
• Keeps abreast of federal and state benefits and leave regulations and trends. Apprises management of impact, benefits issues, concerns and ascertains Firm potential and required changes. Implements required processes for compliance.
• Oversees the communication process of approved new plans/programs and changes via all media methods such as announcement material, booklets, webinars, educational sessions, and promotions.
• Responsible for managing vendor relationship with brokers, insurance companies, record-keepers, actuaries, service providers. Prepares and evaluates request for Proposal(s) for presentation to Committees. Prepares and executes, with legal consultation, benefit documentation such as original and amended plan texts, benefit agreements and insurance policies. Directs insurance carriers, trustees, and other administrative agencies outside the company to implement Committee approved changes in benefit plans and programs. Ensures prompt and accurate adherence to contracts and agreements.
• Assures Firm compliance with provisions of Employee Retirement Income Security Act, DOL and the Internal Revenue Code. Supervises preparation of reports and applications required by law to be filed with federal and state agencies, such as Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor, insurance commissioners, and other regulatory agencies. Reviews and analyzes changes to state and federal laws pertaining to benefits and reports necessary or suggested changes to management. Coordinates Firm benefits with government sponsored programs.
• Assures organizational compliance with provisions of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and the Affordable Care Act.
• Assures that existing and new benefit programs are adaptable to the HRIS system which provides reporting capabilities to the Firm and compatible to reporting needs of vendors and state and federal reporting. Provides benefit information, statistical and census data for actuaries, insurance carriers, and management.
• Handles benefit inquiries and complaints to ensure quick, equitable, courteous resolution. Maintains contact in person, by phone or mail, with hospitals, physicians, insurance companies, employees/Partner, retirees, terminated employees and beneficiaries to facilitate proper and complete utilization of benefits for all employees/Partners.
• Supervises maintenance of benefits records. Supervises maintenance of enrollment, application, and claims records for all benefit plans. Assures compliance with Firm security protocol and privacy regulations.
• Develops and monitors functional area budgets to ensure efficient utilization of resources. Plans and directs the achievement of area goals and objectives within established company policies.
• Maintains adequate staffing levels to ensure proper administration of activities. Selects, develops, trains, motivates, and evaluates the performance of assigned employees.
• Supports ongoing benefits module HRIS education and expansion by benefits staff.
• Aligns communications and plans with benefit education and wellness endeavors promoted by the Firm to all locations and personnel.
• Annual required events; Open Enrollment and ACA reporting

Other Duties

• Perform other related duties as needed or assigned.

Reporting Relationship

The Benefits Senior Manager reports directly to the Director of Human Resources and applicable Committee Chairs.

Subordinate staff: Benefits Specialist and Benefits Administrator(s)

Qualifications

Knowledge:

The Benefits Senior Manager should have strong knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint). Deep knowledge of the benefit function and corresponding sub functions of health, welfare, retirement, and leaves. Strong knowledge of the Benefits modules of an HRIS system strongly desired.

Skills:

The Benefits Senior Manager should possess the ability to communicate, persuade and/or influence internal and/or external clients at a high level such as senior management on matters of a technical and/or complex nature. Necessitates the ability to strategize, troubleshoot, and formulate options and resolutions. Must have the ability to perform analyses involving ratios, percentages, and simple statistical methods. Requires the ability to operate in a team and independently. Must be capable of multi-tasking and handling complex details. Excellent management/leadership skills required.

Education/Experience:

The Benefits Senior Manager should possess a bachelor's degree in a related field at least 7 years of progressive experience in benefit plan administration or a master's degree in Human Resources Administration and 5 years of progressive experience in benefit plan administration. Any appropriate combination of education and experience. CEBS or equivalent certification strongly desired.

Physical Demands:

Must be mobile in an office environment up to 15% of the time to utilize office equipment and maintain office processes. Remains stationary at least 85% of the time. Operates computers and other office productivity machines on a regular basis. Occasionally required to move documents or files weighing up to 15 lbs. This position requires constant communication and exchange of information with the Firm attorneys, clients, and staff. This position must be able to inspect and observe information on a computer screen at least 90% of the time.

Working Conditions

Office environment