Benefits Partner II – People and Culture

The mission of the Allen Institute is to unlock the complexities of bioscience and advance our knowledge to improve human health. Using an open science, multi-scale, team-oriented approach, the Allen Institute focuses on accelerating foundational research, developing standards and models, and cultivating new ideas to make a broad, transformational impact on science.

The mission of the Allen Institute Administration team is to provide support and structure to the scientific divisions. Coinciding with the team science approach, administration helps facilitate team learning and the institute’s overall mission.

The Benefits Partner II role will ensure the Allen Institute’s benefit practices follow all regulations and are clear to our employees. This individual will track the data and metrics supporting our approach and be a key member of the People & Culture Team.

The Allen Institute believes that team science significantly benefits from the participation of diverse voices, experiences, and backgrounds. High-quality science can only be produced when it includes different perspectives. We are committed to increasing diversity across every team and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for this role.

Essential Functions

• Develop strong relationships with our managers and employees by providing accurate and timely information regarding benefits programs
• Be the subject matter expert regarding benefits, wellness program as well as Absence (LOA)
• Document our benefits processes and apply a mindset of continuous improvement towards those processes
• Ensure data integrity in our compensation and benefit systems through accurate administrative processes
• Administer employee benefits programs such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, temporary disability, wellness, voluntary benefits, and Employee Assistance Program
• Use data to monitor trends and recommend educational initiatives, program plan changes, vendor changes and cost control initiatives
• Engage cross-functionally with Finance/Payroll, Employee Health and Safety, Facilities and other departments in the administration and oversight of benefits programs, budget and expenses
• Develop a multi-channel strategy to effectively communicate and implement benefits programs
• Manage the appropriate use of our annual wellness fund to ensure invoices are reimbursed from vendor accurately and timely
• Commuter Benefits – Administer the Commuter Benefits and re-design as needed
• New Employee Benefits Orientation Sessions
• Process all Benefits related invoices for payment approval
• P&C Team Representative on the Allen Institute’s Safety Committee
• For assigned areas of responsibility responsible for any vendor implementations as wells as implementing new programs associated with vendors
• Responsible for consulting with others on the Benefits Team regarding any policy development associated with assigned areas of responsibility

Communication and Education:

• Partner with Internal Comms Team to communicate benefits policies, procedures, and changes to employees in a clear and effective manner
• Coordinate various education sessions or workshops to enhance employee’s benefits experience here at the Allen Institute

Open Enrollment Support

• Assists in the planning and execution including communication campaigns, system testing, and employee support
• As needed plan and execute annual open enrollment Benefits Fair
• Address and resolve issues related to benefits enrollment during peak periods

Benefits Administration

• Coordinate ongoing health and welfare benefits processing
• Primary Point of contact for Qualifying Life Events. Responsible for reporting all deduction updates to payroll
• Reconcile benefits invoices and submit for payment in timely manner
• Assist in the annual benefits renewal process

Leave and Accommodation Management

• Own the leave management process, partner with People and Culture Business Partners, Managers, Payroll, Employees, and third-party vendor to ensure leaves are processed timely and accurately
• Manage intake and assessment of accommodation requests and relevant documentation, including collaboration with People and Culture Business Partners, Managers, and Employees
• Consult on Workers Compensations claims, as they pertain to time away and accommodations
• Consult with People and Culture Business Partners on accommodation requests
• Keep up to date with new Federal, State and Local laws and regulations regarding leaves of absence

Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelors degree or equivalent combination of degree and experience
• 1 year of professional benefits experience
• 1 year of process documentation and process improvement implementation
• 1 year working with a benefits management system to include open enrollment functionality
• 1 year of experience working with ADA and accommodation issues
• Advanced MS Office and Excel skills to include complex formulas, tables, charts, lookups, data management and modeling
• Proficiency in Word, SharePoint, and PowerPoint
• Demonstrated working knowledge of HIPPA, FMLA, ADA and other applicable Federal, State, and Local Government laws and regulations surrounding benefits

Preferred Education and Experience

• Bachelors degree in Business, HR, Marketing, Communications or related field
• 2-4 years of benefits experience
• Certified Benefits Professional
• Professional in Human Resources (PHR), and/or Society of Human Resources Management Certified Professional (SHRM – CP)
• Experience with Oracle HCM and ADP Payroll.
• Training in or exposure to TQM, Six Sigma or Lean.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team(s) in a matrixed environment.
• Demonstrate accurate and clear communication skills.
• Excellent customer service skills.

Physical Demands

• Occasional lifting up to 30 pounds
• Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office

Type/Expected Hours of Work

• This role is currently able to work both remotely and onsite in a hybrid work environment. We are a Washington State employer, and the primary work location for all Allen Institute employees is 615 Westlake Ave N.; any remote work must be performed in Washington State.

Annualized Salary Range

• $84,900 - $115,555*

* Final salary depends on the required education for the role, experience, level of skills relevant to the role, and work location, where applicable.

Benefits

Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute’s 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute’s benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits.

It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities