Skip to main content

This job has expired

You will need to login before you can apply for a job.

Total Rewards Benefits Specialist

Employer
Canadian Medical Association
Location
Ottawa (Region), Ontario
Salary
Competitive salary & benefits
Closing date
Jan 24, 2021

Job Details

Location: Ottawa, ON

Business Unit: Corporate Services | People and Culture

Reports to: Manager, Total Rewards

Type: Permanent / Full Time
 

Overall job purpose:

Reporting to the Manager, Total Rewards, the Total Rewards Benefits Specialist provides subject matter expertise and leadership in the design and delivery of CMA benefits and wellness programs, playing an integral role in the development and execution of a broader Total Rewards Strategy.  The incumbent is responsible for exceptional day to day administration of the benefits plans for the CMA and affiliated divisions and will act a liaison between employees and vendors. The experienced Benefits Specialist leads research, analysis, and design in the areas of group employee benefits, EAP, wellness, leave, and disability management programs, and continuously monitors industry trends and developments to assesses current programs and recommend changes and enhancements.

Key responsibilities:

Benefits Plan Design

  • Leads the establishment of CMA benefits best practices and measured to monitor and ensure the ongoing effectiveness of benefits programs.
  • Supports the development of a strategic benefits plan to enhance and streamline benefits management functionality, efficiency, and impact.
  • Keeps abreast of changing benefits trends by conducting and participating in external market research.
  • Monitors plan usage and provides regular reporting and meaningful insights into claims management, utilization experience, cost management, vendor performance and plan member interactions. Reviews the mix of benefits, assesses their effectiveness.
  • Facilitates internal surveys and/or focus groups to assess employee priorities and makes recommendations to adjust benefits offerings based on best practices, competitiveness, cost management, utility of benefits, and desired employee experience.
  • Plays a lead role in the plan renewal process, collaborating with the Manager, Total Rewards, and external consultants to facilitate the renewal of insured plans, ensuring premium rates and coverage remains competitive.

Administration

  • Delivers exceptional front-line service for internal clients (People & Culture team members, management & employees) and affiliate and retiree plan members. Responds to inquiries, offers consultation and education to plan members, onboards new hires, and provides guidance and interpretation of benefits programs, processes policies and plans.
  • Completes all daily, monthly and quarterly group benefits plan administrative requirements including; enrolment, termination and change processing, maintenance of benefits files, reconciliations, tracking and coordination of billing for affiliate plan costs, and distribution of required documentation and reports to various internal and external stakeholders as required. Ensures data quality assurance and appropriate peer review processes are in place and followed. 
  • Manages ongoing relationships with benefits carriers and brokers, monitoring service levels, investigating and resolving complaints, appeals, and non-routine inquiries. Partners with Manager, Total Rewards to continuously review vendors’ performance and implements changes where beneficial or required.,
  • Leads the proactive management of disability and leave of absence portfolio, working closely with employees, managers, HRBP and benefits case managers, as required, to expedite leave administration, ensure timely adjudication and to facilitate appropriate return to work planning.
  • Leads the planning, organization and direction of activities related to the open enrolment process and communication of changes to benefits plan design and costing.
  • Monitors changes to employment standards and other legislative requirements. Updates, develops, and/or maintains benefits program policies and documentation, to ensure ongoing compliance with changing legislative requirements and alignment to current plan contracts as required. 
  • Works closely with external service providers and internal partners (P&C, Finance), to continuously review benefits administration processes; identifying operational efficiencies and modifying and/or developing standardized processes that leverage new and existing technology, eliminate duplication, improve data accuracy, and enhance accessibility and self serve options.

Communication

  • In collaboration with the Manager, Total Rewards, develops integrated communication strategies to promote benefits programs as a valued component of the CMA Total Rewards offering.
  • Designs and delivers employee benefits campaigns, training sessions and intranet content to ensure program details are compelling, relevant, and clearly communicated.
  • Promotes the Employee Assistance Program at the enterprise level to ensure employees and managers understand program offerings and services. Actively leverages available services to enhance benefits programs through the promotion of resources, webinars, and tools to support employees in the management of organizational and personal issues and concerns. 

Other

  • Participates in the development and execution of a broad Total Rewards strategy.
  • Provides back-up and/or assistance to other members of the Total Rewards team as required.
  • Leads and/or participates in other projects aligned with the Total Rewards and People & Culture strategies. 

Key skills and competencies:

All positions have the following core competencies:

  • Communication skills
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Creativity and innovation
  • Political acumen
  • Member/client/stakeholder focus
  • Results oriented

In addition to the core competencies, all people manager and senior individual contributor positions have the following leadership competencies:

  • Strategic thinking
  • Leading and managing change
  • Developing others
  • Team leadership

In addition to the competencies listed above, the following skills and traits are required:

  • Excellent teamwork skills and collaborative approach; also able to function effectively working independently
  • Knowledge and direct experience designing, implementing, and maintaining group employee benefits.
  • Knowledge of employment standards and legislation as it pertains to benefits and leave entitlements.
  • Exposure and/or direct experience in other areas of total rewards, including compensation and job evaluation, would be considered a strong asset.
  • Strong researching and problem-solving skills; ability to collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, create solutions, and make informed recommendations
  • Strategic thinker; creative and innovative
  • Process improvement oriented and results driven; experience implementing and/or leveraging technology in the delivery of employee benefits services
  • Demonstrated leadership and relationship building skills; ability to work with staff at all levels
  • Effective negotiation skills: ability to influence
  • Excellent time and project management skills; ability to handle multiple, concurrent and/or time-sensitive priorities
  • Resilience and flexibility to navigate ambiguity and ongoing change
  • Advanced Microsoft skills (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
  • Diplomacy and tact; ability to handle highly confidential and sensitive information
  • Excellent English communication skills (both verbal and written); ability to communicate complex information clearly and at a level appropriate for the audience; French is considered a strong asset.
  • Able to work effectively in a flexible working environment.

Education:

  • University degree, preferably in a field related to Human Resources Management
  • Completion of professional compensation designation, or working towards, is considered a strong asset (CEBS, CHRP)

Experience:

  • A minimum of 6-9 years of relevant work experience
  • A minimum of 5 years direct experience in group benefits administration, including experience with plan renewal and design.
  • Exposure to a variety of plans and benefits carriers is strongly preferred.

We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

CMA is an equal opportunity employer and will reasonably accommodate people with disabilities during the recruitment, assessment and hiring process.

Company

The Canadian Medical Association unites Canada’s physicians and physicians-in-training on national health and medical matters. Formed in Quebec City in 1867, the CMA’s rich history of advocacy led to some of Canada’s most important health policy changes. As we look to the future, the CMA will focus on advocating for a healthy population and a vibrant profession.

Follow us on Twitter: @CMA_Docs

Créée à Québec en 1867, l’Association médicale canadienne (AMC) rassemble les médecins et les médecins en formation du Canada autour de questions nationales liées à la santé et à la médecine. La noble tradition de représentation de l’AMC a mené à certains des changements les plus importants dans les politiques de la santé au Canada. Pour les années à venir, l’AMC concentre ses efforts sur la promotion de la santé de la population et du dynamisme de la profession.

Suivez-nous sur Twitter: @AMC_Sante

Company info
Website
Telephone
7804465152
Location
1410 Blair Towers Place
OTTAWA
ON - Ontario
K1J 9B9
CA

Sign in to create job alerts

Sign in or create an account to start creating job alerts and receive personalised job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert