Benefits Coordinator

About Charles River Associates

Charles River Associates is a leading global consulting firm that provides economic, financial, and business management expertise to major law firms, corporations and governments around the world. CRA advises clients on economic and financial matters pertaining to litigation and regulatory proceedings, and guides corporations through critical business strategy and performance-related issues. Since 1965, clients have engaged CRA for its combination of industry experience and rigorous, fact-based analysis that provide clients with clear, implementable solutions to complex business concerns.

Position Overview

The Human Capital team comprises about 25 professionals committed to attracting, developing, and retaining excellent colleagues across the firm. Our culture embraces a growth mindset: inspiring excellence and bringing expertise and innovation to the role every day. The Benefits & Mobility team is central to CRA’s success by ensuring a comprehensive total rewards program to retain great talent. This role supports the day to day administration of CRA’s health, welfare, and retirement benefit plans and other programs and stays current on legal and regulatory mandates that impact company policies and employee benefits. This position reports to the Benefits Manager, Americas, with primary responsibilities to:

• Support the administration of global group benefit programs, including, but not limited to, health, dental, short-term and long-term disability, life, flexible spending, retirement savings, and voluntary benefits;
• Serve as a primary point of contact for employee inquiries (phone and email) related to benefit options, eligibility, claims and coverage; partners with consultants and insurance carriers to resolve issues and guide employees to appropriate internal and external resources;
• Audit and reconcile benefits invoices to ensure payments to vendors are made timely and accurately each month;
• Collaborate with Payroll to ensure deductions and withholdings for employee benefits and/or related taxes are correct;
• Administer US commuter benefits program;
• Coordinate and conduct new hire benefits orientations;
• Partner with HRIS team as a liaison to support benefits-related system processes and data accuracy;
• Follow administrative procedures and processes, recommend improvements and update documentation as necessary. Coordinate with HRIS and Payroll teams to ensure that policies and procedures to obtain, record, and process information are followed;
• Assist with compliance-related documentation, employee communications, and required government filings;
• Support benefit terminations for departing employees, including coordination with COBRA administrators;
• Support ongoing benefits audits and data validation efforts;
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Wellness Program Administration

• Serve as a Wellness Ambassador, championing and supporting CRA’s global wellness initiatives;
• Support the administration of CRA’s wellness program, including but not limited to wellness communications, the monthly newsletter, maintenance of the wellness calendar, and coordination of corporate challenges and webinars;

Global Mobility Administration

• Support the administration of global mobility programs, including employee transfers and immigration processes, as assigned;

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline (human resources, management, social sciences or similar), or equivalent relevant full-time work experience;
• Up to two years’ progressive work experience in benefits administration, experience in a professional services firm preferred;
• Solid understanding of health & welfare, 401(k), and ERISA plan regulations and compliance for multi-state and federal levels;
• Working knowledge of MS Office Suite, with an intermediate level knowledge of Excel. Knowledge of Workday or comparable HRIS preferred;
• Excellent listening, verbal presentation, and written communication skills;
• Maintains the highest degree of confidentiality;
• Flexibility and resiliency in the face of change and business pressures with the ability to work in a high volume, fast paced environment with changing priorities;
• Process-improvement oriented;
• High standards of client service and interpersonal skills; To be successful, the incumbent must demonstrate strong initiative;
• Well-organized with attention to detail and accuracy;
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize, willing to ask questions and be a team player when necessary to effectively complete work;
• Ability to interpret benefit and company policies and apply them to individual situations.

To Apply

To be considered for this position, we require the following:

• Resume – please include current contact information;
• Cover letter – please describe your interest in CRA and how this role matches your goals.

Career Growth and Benefits 

• CRA’s robust skills development programs, including a commitment to offering training annually through formal and informal programs, encouraging you to thrive as an individual and team member. Training consists of technical training, presentation skills, internal seminars, and career mentoring and performance coaching from an assigned senior colleague. Additional leadership and collaboration opportunities exist through internal firm development activities.
• We offer a comprehensive total rewards program including a superior benefits package, wellness programming to support physical, mental, emotional and financial well-being, and in-house immigration support for foreign nationals and international business travelers.

Work Location Flexibility

CRA creates a work environment that enables our colleagues to benefit from being together in the office to best deliver on our promise of career growth, mentorship and inclusivity. At the same time, we recognize that individuals realize a range of benefits when working from home periodically. We currently ask that individuals spend 3 to 4 days a week on average working in the office (which may include traveling to another CRA office), with specific days determined in coordination with your practice or team.

Our Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity

Charles River Associates is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Salary and other compensation

A good-faith estimate of the annual base salary range for this position in the US is $55,000 – $65,000. Starting pay within this range may vary based on factors such as education level, experience, skills, geographic location, market conditions, and other qualifications of the successful candidate. This position is eligible for bonus incentive compensation upon completion of assignment. CRA offers a comprehensive benefits package, subject to eligibility requirements, which may include: medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) retirement plan with employer match; life and disability insurance; paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays); paid parental leave; wellness programs and employee assistance resources; and commuter benefits.