BENEFITS REDESIGN SPECIALIST

(2500004U)
Primary Location : UNITED STATES-NY-Syracuse
Other Locations : UNITED STATES-NC-Charlotte
Organization : Equitable
Schedule : Full-time
Description
At Equitable, our power is in our people.
We’re individuals from different cultures and backgrounds. Those differences make us stronger as a team and a force for good in our communities. Here, you’ll work with dynamic individuals, build your skills, and unleash new ways of working and thinking. Are you ready to join an organization that will help unlock your potential?
The Benefits Redesign Specialist is responsible for overseeing large, complex projects related to benefit plan design and automation of ongoing administrative functions in support of the Human Resources Center of Excellence (COE). This team member will examine current benefit programs and evaluate alternative design scenarios to ensure our offering aligns with market practices and employee needs. The Benefits Redesign Specialist will evaluate current benefit plan administration activities and provide recommendations to automate, combine, re-engineer or eliminate certain processes. Additionally, this role will work closely with benefit plan vendors, Human Resources Solutions Delivery teams, legal, finance and IT to identify opportunities to increase efficiency and reduce cost while meeting the needs of employees and ensuring continued regulatory compliance.
This team member will also work closely with legal, finance and external consultants to evaluate opportunities related to legacy benefit programs, in order to ensure resources and capital are allocated efficiently.

SKILLS

Analytical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.
Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
Executive Benefits Programs: Knowledge of executive benefits programs, processes, issues and considerations; ability to design and implement special benefits programs targeted at an organization’s executives.
HR Legal and Regulatory Environment: Knowledge of HR legal and regulatory environment; ability to advise on laws and regulations affecting HR practices.
Problem Solving: Knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations.
Specific Benefits Plan Development: Knowledge of a benefits plan’s issues and considerations; ability to design, implement, and administer the content and processes of a specific benefits plan.
Stock Options Administration and Management: Knowledge of stock options; ability to use tools, techniques and services for administering and managing stock options.
Vendor Management: Knowledge of vendor management methodologies, technologies and processes; ability to gain increased value and excellent services from vendors, as well as costs control and risk mitigation throughout the deal life cycle.
Written Communications: Knowledge of written communications issues; ability to produce a variety of business documents that demonstrate command of language, clarity of thought, orderliness of presentation while communicating ideas, information and requirements effectively.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Demonstrates a commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion by treating everyone with respect and dignity, ensuring all voices are heard and advocating for change.

ABOUT EQUITABLE

At Equitable, we’re a team of over ten thousand strong; committed to helping our clients secure their financial well-being so that they can pursue long and fulfilling lives.
We turn challenges into opportunities by thinking, working, and leading differently – where everyone is a leader. We encourage every employee to leverage their unique talents to become a force for good at Equitable and in their local communities.
We are continuously investing in our people by offering growth, internal mobility, comprehensive compensation and benefits to support overall well-being, flexibility, and a culture of collaboration and teamwork.
We are looking for talented, dedicated, purposeful people who want to make an impact. Join Equitable and pursue a career with purpose.

Equitable is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to our employees, applicants and candidates based on individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, mental or physical disabilities, sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic information or any other class protected by federal, state and local laws.
NOTE: Equitable participates in the E-Verify program.
If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process or to perform the essential job functions of this position, please contact Human Resources at (212) 314-2211 or email us at TalentAcquisition@equitable.com.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 10+ years of experience in compensation and benefits plan design/administration. Experience with defined benefit pensions a plus.
• Self-starting with ability to manage multiple competing priorities in demanding environment.
• Established track record in maintaining strict compliance with ERISA, 409A, SEC, IRS and other federal and state laws and regulations.
• Proven success in the strategic development and execution of innovative plan designs and administrative system platforms in health, retirement, wealth accumulation, and equity plans, contributing to enhanced operational excellence and stakeholder engagement.
• Demonstrated vendor management capability. Familiarity with benefits vendor administrative platforms and reporting capabilities a plus.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Proven time management skills and the ability to prioritize tasks effectively.
• Effective leadership and mentoring capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including HR, legal, finance, benefits, and payroll.
• Proficiency in HR information system (HRIS), payroll system, and HR software and platforms and tools (e.g., Oracle HCM).
• Experience with process automation tools (e.g., RPA, AI powered digital workers, Oracle HCM)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree or certifications

Plan Design and Administration

• Evaluate current plan design by researching industry trends, best practices and benchmarks to recommend innovative benefits solutions as appropriate.
• Present redesign recommendations to leadership, incorporating data-driven insights and employee/financial professional feedback.
• Ensure that benefit program designs align with company culture and evolving workforce expectations.
• Monitor the effectiveness of new benefit designs and make data backed recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Review ongoing administrative processes and identify opportunities to automate, streamline or re-engineer to reduce cycle time and increase efficiency.
• Oversee the implementation of any plan design or administrative changes.
• Ensure vendors comply with company standards and contractual obligations.
• Monitor service levels and ensure adherence to quality standards.

Compliance and Reporting

• Partner with legal, internal/external audit teams to address any risk and/or control concerns related to benefits designs, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and internal risk management standards.
• Ensure all vendor activities comply with relevant laws, regulations, and company policies.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to develop and improve processes, policies and procedures that pertain to ongoing benefits reporting and reconciliations.

Collaboration

• Work closely with internal departments across Human Resources, legal, finance and business segment teams to understand their needs and ensure alignment with company goals.
• Facilitate communication between vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and support to the HR Benefits team members, leveraging automation opportunities and promoting knowledge sharing and best practice adoption to enhance overall efficiency.
• Support development of user-friendly resources, such as FAQs and interactive guides to enhance employee/financial professional understanding and engagement.
• Work with HR, IT and external partners to integrate automation solutions (e.g., RPA, digital workers, expanded self-service and workflow automation platforms) that improve administrative capabilities.

In office schedule: This team member will be working in office 2-3 days per week.
The base salary range for this position is $110,000-$160,000. Actual base salaries vary based on skills, experience, and geographical location. In addition to base pay, Equitable provides compensation to reward performance with base salary increases, spot bonuses, and short-term incentive compensation opportunities. Eligibility for these programs depends on level and functional area of responsibility.
For eligible employees, Equitable provides a full range of benefits. This includes medical, dental, vision, a 401(k) plan, and paid time off. For detailed descriptions of these benefits, please reference the link below.
Equitable Pay and Benefits: Equitable Total Rewards Program
Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 10+ years of experience in compensation and benefits plan design/administration. Experience with defined benefit pensions a plus.
• Self-starting with ability to manage multiple competing priorities in demanding environment.
• Established track record in maintaining strict compliance with ERISA, 409A, SEC, IRS and other federal and state laws and regulations.
• Proven success in the strategic development and execution of innovative plan designs and administrative system platforms in health, retirement, wealth accumulation, and equity plans, contributing to enhanced operational excellence and stakeholder engagement.
• Demonstrated vendor management capability. Familiarity with benefits vendor administrative platforms and reporting capabilities a plus.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Proven time management skills and the ability to prioritize tasks effectively.
• Effective leadership and mentoring capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including HR, legal, finance, benefits, and payroll.
• Proficiency in HR information system (HRIS), payroll system, and HR software and platforms and tools (e.g., Oracle HCM).
• Experience with process automation tools (e.g., RPA, AI powered digital workers, Oracle HCM).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree or certifications.