Benefits Strategy Manager at American Water Works Service Company Inc in Camden, New Jersey

Job Description:

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Camden, NJ, the company employs over 6,800 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in 46 states.  To learn more about American Water and additional career opportunities, visit www.amwater.com.

Primary Role

The Benefits Strategy Manager is a key strategic and analytical role primarily responsible for researching and implementing strategic benefits initiatives.  Responsible for evaluating and implementing changes to various benefit programs (e.g. medical, dental, vision, 401(k), pension, retiree healthcare, life & disability insurance).

Key Accountabilities

• Coordinate activity with the Health Transformation Alliance (HTA), a large employer coalition, of which American Water is a member. Responsibilities will include participating in HTA working committees and investigating solutions put forward by the HTA to determine whether appropriate and beneficial for American Water.


• Investigate benefits offerings or enhancements to benefits provisions based on (1) latest market trends and benchmarking information, (2) intelligence gathered from analyzed plan data, or (3) requests from other sources, such as senior management


• Monitor plan performance and marketplace trends


• Responsible for benefit data from the IBM Watson (through the HTA) for strategic planning, evaluation of new offerings, determining best practices, and benchmark the American Water benefit plans.


• Leads Wellness strategy, initiatives, and plan design based on the analysis of American Water specific demographics and claim data. 


• Contribute and present to the Joint Health Care Committee (JHCC) - A team made up of members from Benefits, Labor Relations, HR Operations, American Water Leadership, and Union Leadership for the purpose of sharing information and ideas, as well as and exploring options regarding controlling healthcare costs. 


• Ensure the completion of regulatory reporting and filings (such as Forms 5500, 1095 / 1094, etc).


• Maintains ongoing knowledge of legislative requirements pertaining to benefit programs in multiple geographies and ensure compliance with all such legislation.


• Responsible for leading  RFPs in partnership with other functional groups including selecting vendors and consultants for managing programs.


• Lead the annual benefits forecasting, budgeting, and rate setting process in partnership with our external consultants/actuaries for both the active and retiree populations. Coordinate/Inform this activity with the Finance team


• Serve as a knowledge resource for Benefits Administration and Investment Committees, and other business partners.


• Research and provide regulatory interpretation, and issue resolution related to plan compliance with assistance from internal and external technical experts, as needed. Examples include VCP filings, 


• Work with the Retirement Specialist and plan actuary on pension, executive benefits, and OPEB projects


• Assist the HR Labor team prepare for local negotiations related to Benefits and prepare and participant in negotiations for a National Benefits Agreement with all American Waters unions. 


• Coordinates the review of benefits contracts with Supply Chain and Legal.


• Supports Rate Case activities.


• Lead activities related to Benefits for acquisitions and divestitures


• Recommend and assist in the implementation of process improvements.

Knowledge/Skills

•    High capacity, self-directed, motivated, dependable, detail-oriented, and be a strong team player; this includes showing a drive for results.

•    Exceptional project management skills and experience with the ability to manage multiple projects, initiatives, and deadlines concurrently.

•    Analytical skills with the ability to resolve a wide variety of complex issues or problems.

•    Ability to work effectively in a fast paced, team-oriented environment.

•    Data inspired with the ability to analyze data, identify trends, and make recommendations.

•    Continuous improvement mindset and a passion for measuring results through data.

•    Must be detail oriented and able to multi-task in a high-volume environment.

•    Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

•    General knowledge of general Human Resource areas.

•    Must have superior knowledge health & welfare plans and retiree plans.

•    Advanced technological skills - Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and other technology.

Experience/Education

•    Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of progressive U.S. health and welfare experience.

•    MBA or HR/Benefits Certification preferred

Competencies

Champions safety

Customer obsessed

Cultivates innovation

Nimble learning

Drives Results

Collaborates

Join American Water...We Keep Life Flowing™

American Water is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based on his or her age, race, color, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship, or because he or she is an individual with a disability, protected veteran or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.

 

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