WHY NTS? We make an Impact on the World! We are a purposeful organization that tests products the world can trust, making tomorrow safer than today. Our work is critical to industries such as aerospace, defense, space, telecom, automotive and to national security, space exploration, and the next generation of technology-driven products.

Summary:

Reporting to the VP, HR, the benefits manager is a senior level individual contributor/functional leader of benefits for the company. Independently manages the design, implementation, and administration of all benefits programs, processes, and reporting. Serves as subject matter expert for the company. This includes medical, dental, vision, life and disability as well as wellness and retirement. Ensures ongoing administration, compliance, and reporting are timely and accurate in compliance with regulatory and ERISA requirements. Also supports employees who need assistance and directing them to the appropriate resource or carrier. Partners with brokers and carriers as communication lead for all benefits including managing the entire open enrollment process and execution.

Primary Responsibilities:

Below are the highest priority responsibilities performed in this position.

The statements below are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed.

They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

• Administer the implement new hire enrollments, including monitoring on-time enrollment, confirmation of beneficiary appointment, and ADP approvals.
• Advise and assist employees with qualifying events which may result in benefit enrollment and/or termination of benefits.
• Handle day-to-day employee inquiries, which may include broker and/or carrier involvement to resolve employee enrollment, claims, or authorization issues.
• Own benefit program design including revisions to offerings, vendor RPFs as necessary, and serves as single company point of contact for all benefits, vendors, and broker.
• Manage the annual Open Enrollment (OE) process which includes:
  • Lead initiatives throughout the company, to include OE communications, ensuring ADP set up with new benefit plans and rate adjustments, testing, new carrier connection file requests and/or updates, benefit election approvals, EOI tracking and processing, and complete post-OE audit process.
  • Work with broker and ADP to ensure actual enrollment screens and tools are ready for OE. Perform testing of OE screens to ensure accuracy and useability of process.
  • Creates OE materials for employee education, to include benefits guide and rate sheets, if applicable.
  • Retirement Plan lead for the company. Responsible for the day-to-day administration of the 401(k) program. This includes monitoring the 401(k) Plan Service Center (PSC) portal to process pending requests, i.e., loans, withdrawals, etc. Follow up with Client Relationship Manager and/or participant(s) as needed. Process weekly deferrals, reported on PSC which includes entries in ADP and communication to payroll. Drive 401(k) Plan education and participation by partnering with recordkeeper and their resources. Ensure employee and employer contributions are made timely into participant accounts and that funding is made timely to recordkeeper. Serve as the company contact for retirement plan audit and 5500.
• Administer COBRA enrollments and terminations with our third-party administrator. Manage COBRA severances with TPA. Resolve enrollment conflicts and expedite as needed.
• Determine eligibility for ACA benefits. Provide communication to eligible employees on benefit options.
• Determine sick time eligibility based on state and local requirements as applicable.
• Lead preparation of 1095 benefits coverage requirement, reporting, and providing information to IRS and employees within required timelines.
• Assist employees with planning and coordination of all leave types, i.e., FMLA, disability, etc. Confirm LOA reporting with carrier to ensure compliance and tracking efforts. Provide guidance on state filings where applicable. Review and advise employees on benefits while on leave, including premium payments and pay coordination. Complete data entry in ADP upon exit and return. Follow up on leave status as needed.
• Prepare, reconcile, and compile details for all carrier invoices on a monthly basis. Research as needed to resolve discrepancies. May require follow-up with carrier contacts or Accounts Payable.
• Drive wellness initiatives throughout the organization. Using resources from carriers and other sources, help develop an annual wellness calendar to highlight key events and topics to identify goals and engage employees.
• Process death benefit claims, including life, AD&D, and 401(k)for employees and covered dependents as needed. Outreach to beneficiaries and provide assistance navigating the claims reporting process.
• Ensure compliance-related notices are distributed and posted as required throughout the year. This includes the Summary Annual Report (SAR), Welfare Benefits Notice, etc.
• Perform required and ad hoc benefits reporting, ensuring compliance with governmental and ERISA requirements.
• Primary point of contact for benefits broker on benefits design, Open Enrollment planning, monthly reviews, as well as cost management and large claim reviews.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years as a benefits professional with experience in health and welfare and working with 401(k) plan administration.
• Experience with ADP preferred.
• HRIS and/or Compensation experience would be helpful but not required
• Experience leading people, preferred

• Extensive knowledge of employee benefits programs and administration.
• Strong pc and analytical skills to work with large amounts of data and detail efficiently.
• Knowledge of ERISA and employment-related laws and regulations.
• Must have functional benefits knowledge to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Must be able to quickly use all available resources to urgently resolve issues that arise.
• Strong judgment to be able to work with various carriers and employees and make decisions.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and work under pressure in a very fast paced environment with ongoing time sensitive required deadlines.
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Strong interpersonal skills as well as negotiation skills and conflict-resolution skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong leadership and influencing skills to influence across and upward and with external providers.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Must be able to multi-task, have excellent follow-up and communication with employees and carriers.
• Must be able to collaborate with other internal departments and vendors such as with payroll and accounting and finance and with external auditors, carriers, and plan administrators.

• This position will be located at a lab location and must be able to work onsite daily in our Belcamp, Maryland location.
• Must be able to travel to 6 labs across the country for open enrollment and 3 - 4 times per year for HR Leadership team meetings.

Culture:

Given the importance of the work we do, we hold ourselves to a higher standard. As a result, the NTS environment is one where people are committed to excellence and working together to accomplish common goals. Our culture is defined by trust, valuing our employees, respect for each other, unity as a team, quality customer service, and training and development of our team for ongoing success. Our goal is to foster an environment where our employees are motivated to break barriers and conceptualize ideas that support our customers' goals of getting their products ready to deliver to market. We recognize hard work, and we reward performance!

At NTS, you get a great benefits package with the time off you need to feel refreshed. The benefits, along with a highly competitive salary, are offered to provide protection and security to you and, where applicable, your dependents. Benefits include the following:

• Paid Holidays - 11
• PTO - 17.5 days
• Paid Volunteer Time Off (PVTO)
• Medical, Dental &Vision
• 401K
• Life/AD&D
• Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Legal Shield/Identity Theft
• Pet Insurance

We always take pride in putting our people first. We are an equal opportunity employer that recognizes diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our business.All suitably qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective work-related criteria and without regard for the following: age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, race, religion, responsibility of dependents, sexual orientation, or gender identity or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; climb stairs; balance; stoop; kneel; crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V

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