*This is a hybrid role with three weeks per month onsite (Mon. – Thurs.). The fourth week is fully remote.

The Benefits Analyst will play a critical role in supporting and enhancing Lands’ End employee benefits programs. This position requires a strategic thinker with strong analytical skills and expertise in benefits administration, compliance, and vendor management. The Benefits Analyst is passionate about creating meaningful employee experiences (Life Journey’s) while ensuring the company’s benefits programs remain competitive, cost-effective, and compliant with applicable regulations.

Job Functions (Employees must be able to perform the job functions of this position satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the duties, knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. If requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.)

Benefits Administration & Analysis:

• Administer and analyze employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, and wellness initiatives.
• Utilize benchmarking studies to evaluate the competitiveness of benefits offerings and provide recommendations for enhancements.
• Monitor benefit trends and proactively identify opportunities to optimize programs.

Compliance Knowledge:

• Comprehensive understanding of federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA) to ensure benefits programs comply with applicable laws.
• Experience in preparing and submitting compliance reports, including ACA filings, 5500 filings, and other required documentation.
• Ability to audit benefits plans and processes regularly to ensure accuracy and compliance.

Vendor Management:

• Expertise in serving as a liaison between the company and benefits vendors, ensuring effective service delivery and issue resolution.
• Skills in leading the annual benefits renewal and open enrollment process.
• Lead the implementation and set up of new vendors on company systems.
• Proficiency in overseeing vendor performance through regular evaluations and data analysis.

Strategic Initiatives:

• Support the design and implementation of new benefits programs aligned with the company’s goals, budget, and workforce needs.
• Partner with the broker to conduct cost-benefit analyses and create business cases for proposed initiatives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate benefits solutions into broader HR strategies.

Additional Duties:

• Partner with the broker to conduct research and analysis of industry trends, employee surveys, and workplace best practices to make recommendations on the design of benefits packages that are competitive, meet employee needs, and support organizational goals.
• Assists in benefits communications and open enrollment.
• Answers questions from employees regarding benefits offerings and eligibility.
• Ensures offerings comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
• Mentor and coach Benefits Assistants and Specialists to ensure an ability to answer employee questions regarding benefit offerings and eligibility.
• All other duties as assigned.

Skills

• Demonstrates proficiency in core responsibilities and tasks within their role.

Analytical Skills:

• Strong ability to analyze employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, and wellness initiatives.
• Proficiency in utilizing benchmarking studies to evaluate the competitiveness of benefits offerings and provide recommendations for enhancements.
• Capability to monitor benefit trends and proactively identify opportunities to optimize programs.

Communication Skills:

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a focus on delivering excellent employee experience.
• Ability to develop clear and engaging benefits communications, including guides, FAQs, and presentations for open enrollment and new hire orientation.
• Experience in partnering with HR and communications teams to promote benefits offerings and drive employee engagement.

Problem-Solving Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to address complex employee inquiries about benefits programs.
• Capability to escalate issues to vendors or internal partners as necessary.

Project Management Skills:

• Proficiency in conducting cost-benefit analyses and creating business cases for proposed initiatives.
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate benefits solutions into broader HR strategies.

Interpersonal Skills:

• Ability to build collaborative relationships and work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Strong customer service skills to respond to employee inquiries and provide support.

Collaborative Skills:

• Ability to work under general supervision and handle moderately complex issues and problems.
• Experience in providing leadership, coaching, and/or mentoring to a subordinate group.
• Contributes to team projects and collaborates effectively with peers.
• Builds and sustains a strong organizational culture.

Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related field or equivalent relevant work experience.
• 2-5 years of relevant professional experience in Benefits administration or HR discipline
• Comprehensive knowledge of U.S. benefits regulations and compliance requirements.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and HRIS systems (e.g., UKG).
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Professional certifications/designations such as CEBS, REBC, PHR, or SHRM-CP etc. are a plus.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.