Benefits Specialist (Remote)

At Salas O’Brien we tell our clients that we’re engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That’s why we’re committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future. Building for the long-term means that all of our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem solving. It also means that each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high-impact career—and they’ll receive great total rewards along the way.

About Us

Founded in 1975, Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We know that tomorrow’s requirements are today’s opportunities, and we are here to design lasting solutions for pressing challenges. We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high-rise buildings, clean energy, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more. Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in bringing our commitments to life every day.

Job Summary

The Benefits Specialist is a subject matter expert responsible for delivering competitive and equitable benefits strategies for our diverse team. They will serve as a key Total Rewards stakeholder in the integration of new team members joining Salas O’Brien through mergers and acquisitions. They will also spear head our North America benefits programs, ensuring that we continue to attract, support, and retain the best talent in our industry. Joining a fast-paced and respected firm on a dramatic growth path, the Benefits Specialist will have the opportunity to develop broad strategies with a direct impact on our future success.

In This Role, You Will

• Administer the health and welfare benefits programs across North America including health, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, spending accounts, voluntary benefits, wellness, COBRA, and retirement plan in compliance with plan documents.
• Conducts ongoing research, analysis, and financial modeling on benefit plans.
• Ensures benefit and retirement plan compliance such as ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, FMLA, and other regulations.
• Assists with in-depth due diligence during the M&A process related to benefits packages, including benefit compliance and gap analysis.
• Contributes to the M&A integration process from a benefits perspective, serving as a point of contact between outside business entities, third-party brokers, and internal stakeholders to support and expedite the onboarding of new team members.
• Contributes to both the annual 401k audit and Open Enrollment.
• Updates benefit communications along with our internal benefit website on a regular basis.
• Manages third-party benefits vendor relationships, including the resolution of escalated benefits-related issues.
• Addresses carrier feed discrepancies and updates the HRIS as needed.
• Helps manage the annual benefit renewals with carriers for both US and Canada.
• Assists with the management of the 401(k) and RRSP plans.
• Manages internal and external audits as well as creates SOPs to standardize processes.
  
  

You Will Be a Great Fit If

• You have an ownership mindset and can switch between precise problem solving with exceptional attention to detail and big-picture strategizing that embraces your own unique perspective.
• You have high energy, high empathy, and enjoy solution-oriented problem-solving.
• You are comfortable navigating ambiguity and can manage day to day responsibilities while building for the future.
• You approach work as a self-directed project manager, able to prioritize and complete work on time without active supervision while still knowing when to ask for help.
• You are a genuine collaborator, an empathetic listener, and an excellent decision-maker with sound judgment.
• You can build rapport with stakeholders across all functions and levels of seniority, establishing yourself as a go-to business partner and trusted advisor.
  
  

Skills/abilities

Required:

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience as a Benefits Specialist, Benefits Analyst or in a related role
• Experience with 401(k) and benefit plan management including self-insured
  
  

Desired

• CEBS or CBP certification
• Experience with Canadian benefits plans and RRSP is helpful
• Experience with M&A activity
• Bachelor’s Degree in human resources management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Ability to manipulate large data sets in complex ways to analyze and convey findings
• Collaborative interpersonal skills
• Exceptional analytical and decision-making skills
• Ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Extensive knowledge of benefits programs, including state and federal legislation
• Ability to influence and manage change within a virtual environment
• Superior verbal and written communication
• Extremely proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; Advanced Excel skills a must
  
  

Location: United States, Remote

Travel: Limited travel is required

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Salas O’Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. Salas O’Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.