Senior Contribution Specialist

SAGAFTRA; Burbank (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

SAG-AFTRA Health Plans in California seeks a Senior Contribution Specialist to manage complex employer contributions and participant data. You will validate reports, resolve discrepancies, and apply CBAs with cross-functional collaboration to ensure accurate processing and timely issue resolution.

Ideal candidates have strong problem-solving, excellent communication, and experience with contribution systems and large datasets.

Qualifications

• Advanced problem-solving and reconciliation skills.
• Ability to manage workload independently.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Intermediate to advanced Excel proficiency.
• Experience with large datasets or contribution systems preferred.
• Excellent communication across teams and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Independently own and resolve designated complex contribution work with advanced investigation and judgment.
• Interpret contractual rules to determine appropriate handling of issues.
• Investigate underpayments, late reporting, and discrepancies for corrections.
• Provide SME guidance and training to team members on contribution processing.
• Communicate with employers and internal stakeholders to resolve issues timely.
• Support audit readiness and document complex cases for process improvement.
• Assist in testing system enhancements and new processes.

Skills

Problem solving

Reconciliation

Independent workload

Excel proficiency

Data analysis

Communication

Contribution systems

Education

High school diploma

Some college coursework

Tools

Contribution systems

Job description

For more than 50 years the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan and SAG-Producers Pension Plan (the Plans) have provided health and retirement benefits to thousands of entertainment professionals and their dependents across the globe. The Plans are currently undergoing a major transformation focused on evolving our operations toward a participant-inspired experience.

The Contribution Management Department (CMD) is responsible for the timely intake and processing of all employer-submitted contributions and participant earnings, which fund the Plans and establish participants’ health eligibility and retirement benefits. During intake, we validate employer reports, allocate contributions, and apply collectively bargained provisions to ensure reporting and payments are accurate and complete. We also conduct collection activities when delinquent contributions or late payments are identified at this stage. In addition, CMD serves as the primary liaison for contributing employers and the SAG-AFTRA union, maintaining strong relationships that promote clear communication, consistent reporting, and timely issue resolution. Finally, CMD owns and administers the organization’s Master Data Management (MDM) system—the single source of truth for non-transactional data—maintaining and enhancing four core data domains: Person, Company, Project, and Contract. This stewardship ensures accurate, reliable information that supports benefit calculations and other critical plan operations.

The Senior Contribution Specialist serves as a subject matter expert on complex employer contribution work requiring advanced investigation, reconciliation, interpretation and judgment. This role independently owns designated types of complex contribution work, resolves high‑risk discrepancies and complex aged cases and collaborates cross functionally to resolve contribution and reporting issues. The Senior Contribution Specialist identifies recurring exception patterns and provides insight that supports root case analysis and process improvements.

• Independently own and resolve designated types of complex contribution work requiring advanced investigation, reconciliation, interpretation and judgment. Resolve complex contribution reporting issues, including overlapping CBAs, systemic mismatches, and complex employer disputes.
• Interpret and apply contractual rules and requirements to determine the appropriate handling and resolution of complex contribution issues.
• Investigate complex underpayments, late reporting, missing contributions, and other contribution discrepancies determining appropriate corrections or adjustments.
• Provide subject-matter expertise to team members and cross-functional partners to promote consistent understanding and application of contribution requirements. Provide training to help team members build their skills and contribution processing expertise.
• Communicate with employers and internal stakeholders on complex or systemic reporting issues, ensuring clear understanding and timely resolution.
• Contribute to audit readiness and process improvements by identifying recurring issues, , documenting complex cases, and sharing insights that support root cause analysis and updated procedures.
• Participate in testing and provide subject‑matter feedback on system enhancements, new processes and tools to support accurate contribution processing and effective implementation.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional partners to resolve systemic issues, improve processes, and ensure compliance.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; some college coursework preferred.
• 3–5 years of experience in contribution processing, accounts receivable or eligibility related functions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced problem-solving and reconciliation skills.
• Ability to manage workload independently.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Intermediate to advanced Excel proficiency.
• Experience working with large datasets or contribution systems preferred.
• Communicates Effectively – Is effective in a variety of communication settings: one‑on‑one, small and large groups, or among diverse styles and position levels; attentively listens to others; adjusts to fit the audience and the message; provides timely and helpful information to others across the organization; encourages the open expression of diverse ideas and opinions.
• Customer Focus - Gains insight into customer needs; identifies opportunities that benefit the customer, builds and delivers solutions that meet customer expectations; establishes and maintains effective customer relationships.
• Decision Quality - Makes sound decisions, even in the absence of complete information; relies on a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment when making decisions; considers all relevant factors and uses appropriate decision‑making criteria and principles; recognizes when a quick 80% solution will suffice.
• Ensure Accountability - Follows through on commitments and makes sure others do the same; acts with a clear sense of ownership; takes personal responsibility for decisions, actions, and failures; establishes clear responsibilities and processes for monitoring work and measuring results; designs feedback loops into work.
• Situational Adaptability – Is effective in a variety of communication settings: one‑on‑one, small and large groups, or among diverse styles and position levels; attentively listens to others; adjusts to fit the audience and the message; provides timely and helpful information to others across the organization; encourages the open expression of diverse ideas and opinions.
• Manages Complexity - Makes sense of complex, high quality, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.

Physical requirements

The physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions. A request for a reasonable accommodation should be made in writing and delivered to HR.

Notice

SAG-AFTRA Health Plans and SAG-Producer Pension Plans provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

If you are a qualified candidate with an arrest or conviction record, please know that your application will be considered in accordance with LA county local ordinances.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.