Benefits & Compensation Specialist

Job Description Summary:

We have an opening in our Human Resources department for a Benefits & Compensation Specialist who will partner with the Director, People Operations and the Benefits and Compensation team members in attracting and retaining top talent by participating in the design, communication and efficient administration of our total rewards programs for both attorneys and staff members. Additionally, this position will help to ensure that our benefits and compensation programs are aligned with business objectives, market competitive, cost effective and focused on enhanced organizational capability. The Benefits & Compensation Specialist will ensure client service and satisfaction are attained in all areas of position.

This position offers a hybrid schedule and requires at least 1-2 days onsite per week at your designated office with the possibility of additional required in-office days depending on business and client needs. This is a full-time exempt position. This role can be based in either our Silicon Valley or San Francisco, CA office.

Job Description:

Health & Welfare Benefit Plan Administration and Processing

• Proactively coordinates reporting, recordkeeping and auditing between the Benefits Department, and internal and external contacts (Finance, Payroll, and health and insurance carriers as appropriate). 
• Administers new enrollments, terminations, and other changes as applicable for all health and welfare plans in HR System and vendor portals.
• Assists in responding to and resolving employee and partner inquiries to team inbox.
• Researches and resolves complex insurance claims and eligibility problems (including basic troubleshooting of data feeds).
• Supports the Benefits Department with conducting benefits orientations for new Staff, Non-partner Attorneys and Partners when appropriate.
• Supports the Benefits Department with annual open enrollment, ACA reporting, carrier renewals, non-discrimination testing, and other projects as necessary.
• Working with Total Rewards Manager, administers submission of all invoices in a timely manner including reconciliation when appropriate, and updating budget and invoice tracking documents. 
• Ensures that appropriate actions are taken to ensure funding of various programs with each pay period, working closely with internal and external teams to ensure deadlines are met according to appropriate plans and regulations. 
• Assists team in training and mentoring junior team members as necessary.

Leave of Absence Administration

• Responsible for leave of absence and Worker’s Compensation Claim processing in accordance with applicable state and federal regulations as well as benefit plans, insurance guidelines and contracts.  Includes maintenance of documentation and coordination with appropriate vendors and departments during leave period. 
• Proactively communicates with Staff, Non-Partner Attorneys, Partners to provide information and assist with various leave of absence issues including requests and determinations of leave of absences.  Progressively monitors and administers full step-by-step leave of absence processes.
• Responsible and accountable for maintaining accounting procedures for benefit payments from participants during leaves of absence.
• Using independent judgment, grasps underlying issues and sensitivities, including thorough research on complex leave inquiries, and collaborates with other areas of HR when needed to ensure comprehensive analysis and solutions for leaves of absence and benefits issues.
• Analyzes leave of absence reports, benefit plans and surveys for implementing best practices, cost containment, process improvement, and legal compliance.  Ensures policies remain up to date. 
• Suggests enhancements to streamline procedures and communications to ensure efficient processing for leaves of absence, including review of state/federal/vendor flyers to ensure materials are current. 

Compensation

• Using a data driven philosophy, assists with managing the ongoing development, assessment and administration of compensation programs and structures.  Ensures all programs follow the appropriate federal, state or local regulations. 
• Continuously researches, monitors and analyzes pay practices in applicable geographies to ensure the market competitiveness of our programs.  Completes selected surveys and collects benchmarking data sources.
• Performs operational tasks such as compiling and presenting market and equity data throughout the year for new or revised job evaluations and ad hoc compensation transactions such as internal/external offers, counter offers, promotions, market adjustments, or bonuses.
• Actively participates in the development and execution of compensation processes such as annual merit & bonus reviews, auditing, etc.
• Participates in the development of compensation communication materials and trainings.
• Partners with managers and recruiting team to review job descriptions ensuring alignment with market data.

Desired Skills and Qualifications:

• Ability to handle confidential leave of absence information and various health and welfare benefit insurance information.  Including ensuring compliance with the Firm's Information Handling Policy, safeguarding confidential and personal information, and reporting any suspected breach appropriately and immediately.
• Highly organized with ability to work under pressure, manage multiple requests, assess priorities, and achieve solutions under deadlines.  Strong sense of accountability, taking ownership over projects and responsibilities and resolving issues proactively.
• Responsible for independent prioritization of daily workflow to ensure timely completion of projects and/or assignments; interacts substantively with team and assists with various team projects.
• A highly proactive, solution-oriented approach to work and interactions.  Including proactively providing back-up to within the HR Operations Team where needed.
• Ability to perceive and analyze problems, develop responsive solutions, solve complex problems and communicate issues effectively.
• Excellent communication skills, the ability to build effective internal and external client relationships, and demonstrate poise, tact and diplomacy when working on sensitive and confidential information and situations.
• Initiative to ensure consistent quality and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated passion for the profession and possess outstanding analytical skills, sound judgment and solid project management skills.
• Advanced Excel and Strong Word and PowerPoint skills are required.
• Experience in a professional services/law firm environment is a plus.
• Working knowledge of Workday HCM is preferred.

Reporting to the Director of People Operations, the ideal candidate with have 5+ years of experience in leaves of absence, health & welfare benefits administration, and compensation analysis, including design and administration with increasing responsibility. The individual should also have detailed knowledge of group insurance programs, regulations, contracts, policies and procedures; administration of leave of absences according to all applicable regulations or laws; compensation program best practices; and the related employment laws.  A bachelor's degree is preferred.

#LI-Hybrid

Benefits and Compensation Details:

At Fenwick, we believe that our partners and employees are our most important asset. Helping you and your families achieve and maintain good health - physical, emotional, and financial - is the reason we offer a comprehensive benefit program. We provide benefits to eligible employees under plans such as Healthcare, Life Insurance, Health Savings Accounts, Flexible Spending Accounts, and Wellbeing.

The anticipated range for this position is:

$94,000 - $141,250

Depending on the role, the actual base salary offered may depend upon a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.

A discretionary bonus for eligible employees may also be available based on performance.  Additional information about employee eligibility for benefits and discretionary bonus will be made available upon request.