Global Benefits Analyst

Stanford University is one of the world's premier academic and research institutions, devoting tremendous intellectual and physical resources toward the betterment of humanity. As a major Silicon Valley employer, Stanford seeks people committed to excellence and to improving our world. In turn, the university is committed to supporting its employees as they develop their careers and enrich their lives.

Reporting to the Global HR Director and in partnership with the Senior Director of Benefits, the Global Benefit Analyst will be responsible for global benefits portfolios, developing the strategy, making recommendations, and implementing competitive programs. The Benefits Analyst will be responsible for enhancing and managing HR benefits for global staff across 12+ countries and eight Stanford schools and units. This is a fantastic opportunity to join our dynamic and dedicated benefits team and support Stanford's global centers and staff who advance the university's mission of teaching, impact, and research worldwide.

This Benefits Analyst delivers exceptional client service by counseling and supporting staff and affiliates, ensuring compliance with the US and each country's unique regulations, in alignment with Stanford's global policies. The position plays a key role in administering benefits programs, including oversight and management of vendors and consultants, and as an internal resource for employees. The primary responsibilities include analyzing and managing benefits programs tailored to the diverse needs of our workforce.

This remote position is based in the US, and requires flexibility to adapt work hours for effective and timely collaboration with Stanford's central HR organization and staff in California as well as the Global teams from the EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa), APAC (Asia-Pacific), and LATAM (Latin America) regions.

CORE DUTIES:

• Manage benefits programs--including but not limited to retirement, supplementary health insurance, disability, life, flexible spending, travel, wellness, and perks--in partnership with University HR Benefits Team and global benefits brokers to effectively manage vendor relationships.
• Participate in the design and development of a long-term strategy for global benefits initiatives to ensure competitive offerings. Conduct market research on benefits offerings, trends, best practices to benchmark programs, and engage in contact negotiations for setup and renewals. Monitor and assess the effectiveness of benefits programs and make recommendations for improvements.
• Manage benefits enrollment for Global Staff and Stanford Global telecommuters, and respond to benefit-related questions. Prepare benefit plan communications with accuracy and clarity.
• Partner with finance and payroll teams in the US and in each country to ensure proper benefits deductions or payments are made on a timely basis.
• Partner with third-party administrators, vendors, and consultants to investigate discrepancies, claim issues, and provide information in non-routine situations.
• Review and maintain contracts, review cost and performance, and ensure accurate and timely plan administration, claims payment, manage escalated issues, etc.
• Manage monthly billings, enrollments, changes, census, volume, and take action to keep current, and prepare reports and interface with payroll, finance, and carriers.
• Ensures seamless integration of benefits with HRIS, payroll, and other systems.
• Support leave of absence and worker compensation administration cases, including general administration, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations in each country.
• Promote and handle Wellness events and Stanford benefits initiatives, such as coordinating BeWell, Tuition Grant Program (TGP), and Staff Training Assistance Program (STAP).
• Create and maintain global holiday schedules and annual vacation leave policies, ensuring both are communicated to the centers and staff, and posted on the Global HR website, within the HR Manager Toolkit and the Stanford Admin Guide.
• Reporting, finance, and analysis
• Receive financial reporting from external vendors and consultants for global benefits, and review for accuracy. Provides oversight and coordinates payment of benefit plan premiums directly to carriers and monitors cash flow activity to ensure correct accounts are debited and credited.
• Coordinate information for Fringe budget management; coordinate data gathering for audits; oversight of benefit plan claims, funding, and premium payments. Assist in preparing financial information for the Fringe office for audits.
• Compare administration practices with plan documents and coverage certificates, conduct annual reviews to ensure current and accurate benefit documentation, and analyze gaps to proactively propose solutions for enhancing global benefit programs.
• Reviews initial and second-level appeals relating to global benefit plan eligibility and/or contributions and makes a determination based on the provisions set forth in the plan documentation and the circumstances of the participant. Determines the potential risks and benefits of plan compliance.
• Create and provide quarterly benefits reports for the Global Compensation Analyst.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:

Bachelor's degree and five years of relevant experience or a combination of education and relevant experience.

Certified Benefit Professional (GBP(r)) preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Comfortable working knowledge of accounting functions and the ability to evaluate benefit plan budgets.
• Experience with evaluating benefit plan documentation and benefit communication strategies, including composition, review, and revision.
• Ability to analyze complex situations (i.e., benefit issues, appeals, administrative issues), identify workable solutions/alternatives, and make appropriate determinations and/or recommendations resulting in minimal risk.
• Ability to work effectively, prioritize, and be flexible in a high-paced, high-volume environment, and to complete job tasks in a timely manner.
• Ability to quickly absorb and learn new concepts and new software programs.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to interpret and communicate policies effectively.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and deal with ambiguity, and willingly explore alternatives and exceptions.
• Presentation and public speaking skills.
• Strong computer skills such as Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Frequently stand/walk, sit, use a computer, use a telephone, and grasp lightly/fine manipulation.
• Occasionally twist/bend/stoop/squat, reach/work above shoulders, grasp forcefully, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 20 pounds, write by hand, sort/file paperwork.
• Rarely kneel/crawl.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Flexibility to adapt work hours for remote collaboration across time zones with a distributed team, including EMEA, APAC, LATAM, and Stanford University HR in California.
• Occasional work on evenings and weekends.

WORK STANDARDS:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.

The expected pay range for this position is $75,000 to $90,000 per annum. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good-faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford's extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.