NVA

Role: Benefits Administrator

About: National Veterinary Associates is one of the largest and most respected communities of veterinary hospitals in the world, operating nearly 1,000 hospitals in North America, including in all 50 states, and caring for 8,000,000+ animals annually. NVA is backed by JAB Holding, a leading private equity firm. Each person who joins NVA is motivated by our mission to provide excellent, accessible care to improve the lives of animals and the people who love them. NVA has been extremely successful over its 25+ year history and we’re very excited about our next chapter as we work toward our shared vision of revolutionizing the pet care experience to provide more fulfilling lives for pets, their companions, and our team. 

Located in: Remote or Austin, TX

Reports to: Manager, Benefits & Business Partnership

Reporting to the Manager, Benefits & Business Partnership, this position is a Benefits program subject-matter expert and partner to an assigned group of Veterinary Hospital Sites to administer and support a comprehensive suite of benefits programs, interface with vendors, and managers, and employees. These programs include health, dental, vision, HSA/FSA, COBRA, retirement, employee assistance programs, and voluntary benefits.

Works with employees and management to explain benefit programs and resolve issues. Collaborates closely with HR, Operations, Payroll, and vendors to ensure service delivery excellence and address complex or escalated issues.

Performs administrative, professional, and analytical duties to develop, maintain, and administer company benefits programs and policies.

Responsibilities:

Benefits Partnership and Administration

• Serves as the Business Partner to one or more Business Units as the go to person for Benefits escalations and support.

• Interprets benefit policies and answers a wide variety of questions about all benefit programs and policies for plan participants, including retirement, medical, dental, vision, life, long-term disability, etc.

• Takes appropriate actions to direct or solve escalated benefit issues; research, troubleshoot, and provide timely resolution.

• Works closely with benefit vendors on problem resolution.

• Serves as Benefits Administrator for selected benefit plans – is the Subject Matter Expert and Vendor liaison.

• Works closely with management in policy and procedure formulation, development or revision, implementation, and communication of existing policies/processes.

• Assist with the design and distribution of materials for benefits, open enrollment and summary plan descriptions.

• Provide training and support to HR Operations and HR Business Partner teams.

• Serves as back up to other Benefits team members including leave of absence administration, bi-weekly payroll funding files, and premium payments.

Compliance Administration

• Maintains plan documents and records for all plans.

• Ensures compliance with all federal and state regulations, including ACA, ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, and other applicable laws.

Conducts regular audits of benefits programs and processes to ensure accuracy and compliance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Human Resources or Business Administration and a minimum of 7 years of professional experience in benefits administration for both health and welfare and retirement plans.

• Knowledge of benefit programs, including ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, ACA, Section 125, HIPAA, 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan, and Medicare.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge and understanding of benefit plan administration. Leave administration and 401k plan administration are a plus.

• Ability to foster effective working relationships and build consensus.

• Ability to work effectively and commit to excellent customer service with individuals at all levels of the organization.

• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and exercise discretion; maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.

• Excellent and effective written and verbal communication skills.

• Understanding of applicable federal and state regulations, filing, and compliance requirements.

• Strong MS Office Skills. High-level proficiency with Excel (e.g., v-lookups, pivot tables, if/then formulas).

• Effective time management to complete operational tasks; skills with ability to prioritize and manage deadlines.

• Strong organizational skills, demonstrated initiative, and ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, hands-on, deadline-driven environment. High accuracy, attention to detail, analytical and numerical skills.

• Must be able to work effectively as part of a team and independently.

• Experience with HRIS and Payroll systems required.

Preferred

• Experience with Ceridian Dayforce and ADP for Core HRIS and Payroll

• Benefits certification, e.g., CEBS or CBP

Compensation: 

The compensation range for this position is $70,000 to $85,000 and is eligible for benefits.