HR Benefits Systems Analyst

About Occidental College

Founded in 1887, Occidental is a nationally recognized, private college of the liberal arts and sciences, dedicated to providing a gifted and diverse group of students with a total educational experience of the highest quality -- one that prepares them for leadership in an increasingly complex, interdependent and pluralistic world.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Associate Vice President & Chief Human Resource Officer, the Benefits Systems Analyst, is responsible for administering and maintaining the College’s employee benefits data feeds between the benefits platform and external vendors, with a focus on automation, testing, and reconciliation to ensure data accuracy. The Benefits Systems Analyst will conduct audits to identify system bugs and data discrepancies. Evaluates and helps optimize the benefits platform user experience, including retirement enrollment, leave of absence and workers’ compensation data collection process. Prepares and presents benefits data analysis to a variety of constituencies. The Benefits Systems Analyst will support compliance with local, state and federal regulations and participates in benefit activities, including TIAA/CREF Investment Committee.

Job Duties

• 30% - Systems Optimization - Responsible for evaluating and optimizing the College’s Benefits platform to ensure it supports HR operations and meets organizational needs. Identify and implement system enhancements to improve performance, usability and data accuracy. Prepares for annual open enrollment by validating and updating benefits data in both the benefits platform and ERP/ payroll system, ensuring that benefit plan calculations, payroll deductions, and contribution limits are accurate and properly configured. Maintains and monitors data feeds between the benefits platform and third-party vendors, identifying and resolving errors through auditing and reconciliation. Develops and implements digital workflows to improve benefits administration processes and enhance data accuracy. - (Essential)
• 15% - Retirement Contribution Transmittal and Data Integrity - Oversee the TIAA retirement automation process, ensuring the accurate and timely transmittal of payroll contributions and employer match for each payroll. Coordinates with 403(b) Plan Auditors and TIAA/CREF, preparing information for the College’s Audit and Budget Trustee Committee. Monitors retirement plan contributions within IRS guidelines, ensuring that updates, caps and employee birthdates are tracked correctly in the ERP system. Audits and test payroll and retirement files for accuracy and conduct regular sample testing to ensure data integrity. - (Essential)
• 25% - Legal and Regulatory Compliance - Monitors and maintains compliance with federal and state benefit regulations by tracking external regulatory changes and supporting required filings. Assists with the non-discrimination testing for retirement and flexible spending plans, preparing reports as needed. Maintains and follows a compliance calendar for medical and retirement 5500 filings, discrimination testing, annuals audits and annual disclosures. - (Essential)
• 10% - ACA Compliance - Prepare accurate and timely 1095-C annually and coordinating with external vendors to transmit information to state and federal agencies. - (Essential)
• 20% - Financial Accounting for Benefit Expenditures - Reconciles retirement plan contributions to ensure accurate remittance to carriers. Audits carrier invoices and collaborates with the Business Office to address discrepancies and assist with corrective actions as needed. - (Essential)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, computer science, accounting, data science, machine learning, human resources, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Two years of experience in benefits administration, HRIS/Benefits systems, payroll, or related field.
• Technical experience with system integrations and conversions, including full lifecycle of a workstream such as business analysis, functional specification, system configuration, design and testing, as well as experience developing HR analytics dashboard.
• Proficiency and curiosity in AI-powered technologies, including relational databases and chat bots.
• Ability to analyze, synthesize and organize data, and present findings in a comprehensible manner for different audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google drives/folders/forms, Adobe Acrobat, Web Editing, and social media applications or any combination of productivity programs applicable to position responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to be detail-oriented and thorough; skilled at anticipating and preventing potential problems and handling a wide variety of tasks with efficiency and accuracy.
• Strong commitment to a quality work product.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbally, in writing and electronically.
• Effective interpersonal skills as evidenced in the ability to collaborate with a variety of constituencies.
• Demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, inclusion & diversity.
• Demonstrated skill in adapting to and performing work effectively in high-volume, high accountability, confidential environment with multiple and changing priorities.
• Effective organizational, logistical, time management and planning skills with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks/projects simultaneously, prioritize and fulfill the functions of an office in a timely manner.
• Ability to self-motivate and work independently.
• Ability to provide effective leadership and training, and to work effectively and professionally across functions, disciplines, levels, and with diverse groups.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business administration, public administration, computer science, accounting, data science, machine learning, human resources, or related field to position responsibilities. PHR, SHRM-CP, or Project Management certification.
• Experience working in higher education environment, particularly with benefits administration, HRIS/benefits systems, payroll integrations, and compliance reporting.