Sr. Benefits Analyst- Health & Welfare Operations

Pacific Life; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 103,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision & Wellbeing Re

Paid Time Off & Holidays

Parental Leave & Adoption Assistance

401k with company match

Job summary

Pacific Life is seeking a Senior Benefits Analyst to join the People Experience Benefits team in Newport Beach, CA. You will serve as a key operational leader within Health & Welfare operations, overseeing programs, vendor partnerships, and annual enrollment.

The role requires strong benefits expertise, analytical and problem-solving capabilities, and the ability to independently lead complex operational initiatives. This is a hybrid position with four days per week in the office.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience managing Health & Welfare vendor partnerships and governance.
• End-to-end Annual Enrollment experience including project planning, configuration, testing, and communications.
• Strong knowledge of ACA, HIPAA, ERISA, COBRA, Section 125 and related regulations.
• Proficiency in benefits systems and MS Office, especially Excel.
• Working knowledge of Workday and Alight systems preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Health & Welfare operations and vendor partnerships, ensuring governance and performance.
• Lead Annual Enrollment end-to-end, coordinating systems, vendors, and employee communications.
• Escalate complex benefits issues and drive resolution with stakeholders to mitigate risk.
• Oversee benefits data analysis, reporting, and metrics to guide leadership decisions.

Skills

Vendor management

Annual enrollment

Workday

Alight

Excel

Data analysis

Communication

Tools

Workday

Alight

Job description

Job Description:

Providing for loved ones, planning rewarding retirements, saving enough for whatever lies ahead - our policyholders count on us to be there when it matters most. It's a big ask, but it's one that we have the power to deliver when we work together. We collaborate and innovate - pushing one another to transform not just Pacific Life, but the entire industry for the better. Why? Because it's the right thing to do. Pacific Life is more than a job, it's a career with purpose. It's a career where you have the support, balance, and resources to make a positive impact on the future - including your own.

We're actively seeking a talented Senior Benefits Analyst to join our People Experience Benefits team in Newport Beach, CA. As a Senior Benefits Analyst you will serve as a key operational leader within the People Experience Benefits team, with primary responsibility for Health & Welfare operations. This role will oversee the day-to-day governance and delivery of Health & Welfare programs, lead Annual Enrollment operations, manage critical vendor partnerships, and ensure operational excellence, compliance, and a positive employee experience. The ideal candidate will bring strong benefits expertise, strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, and the ability to independently lead complex operational initiatives. This is a hybrid position requiring four days per week in the office. Bay pay range noted is for Newport Beach, CA.

How you'll help move us forward:

• Own the operational delivery and administration of Health & Welfare benefit programs, serving as the primary subject matter expert and accountable for medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, spending accounts, voluntary benefits, and wellbeing programs.
• Provide oversight of Health & Welfare vendor partnerships, including governance, performance management, service delivery, issue resolution, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex and high-priority benefits matters, including employee appeals, claims and eligibility disputes, vendor escalations, and sensitive employee situations, partnering with Shared Services, vendors, Legal, Payroll, and HR stakeholders to drive resolution and mitigate operational and compliance risks.
• Lead Annual Enrollment operations end-to-end, including project planning, systems configurations, testing, vendor coordination, integrations, employee communications, audit controls, and issue resolution.
• Analyze benefits data, operational metrics, employee feedback, and vendor performance to identify trends, mitigate risks, and develop recommendations for leadership.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders, including HR partners, Finance, Communications, and Legal, to optimize Benefits.
• Oversee operational reporting, dashboards, and performance metrics across all Health & Welfare programs and vendor partners, leveraging data and trends to evaluate service delivery, compliance, and operational effectiveness.
• Lead compliance activities for employee benefit programs, ensuring adherence to applicable federal and state regulations, including ACA, HIPAA, ERISA, COBRA, and Section 125 requirements.
• Lead operational projects and benefit implementations, driving successful execution, stakeholder alignment, and continuous process improvement.
• Oversee benefits-related audits, reconciliations, and financial controls, such as HSA, disability, billing, and carrier funding processes.
• Collaborate with HRIS, Payroll and IT teams to oversee integrations of benefits data between Workday and external vendors, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and resolving any related issues.
• Assist with vendor contracting processes including risk ranking and due diligence.
• Provide oversight of company time off policies and programs, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, policy governance, and operational effectiveness.
• Stay current on industry trends, best practices, and legislative changes affecting health and welfare benefits.

The experience you bring:

• 5+ years of experience managing Health & Welfare vendor partnerships, including governance, performance management, service delivery, contract oversight, and issue resolution.
• Demonstrated experience leading end-to-end Annual Enrollment operations, including project planning, system configuration, testing, vendor coordination, communications, and issue management.
• Strong knowledge of Health & Welfare benefits regulations and compliance requirements, including ACA, HIPAA, ERISA, COBRA, Section 125, and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Monitor and understand health and welfare benefits regulations and compliance requirements.
• Proficiency in benefits systems and MS Office Suite, with strong Excel skills.
• Working knowledge of Workday and Alight systems preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data, identify trends and risks, develop insights, and make actionable recommendations.
• Excellent communication, consultation, and relationship management skills, with the ability to partner effectively with employees, vendors, leaders, and cross-functional stakeholders at all levels of the organization.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and successfully lead initiatives while collaborating across teams and functional areas.
• Experience administering and interpreting company time off policies and programs, ensuring consistent application and compliance.

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Base Pay Range:

The base pay range noted represents the company's good faith minimum and maximum range for this role at the time of posting. The actual compensation offered to a candidate will be dependent upon several factors, including but not limited to experience, qualifications and geographic location. Also, most employees are eligible for additional incentive pay.

$103,140.00 - $126,060.00

Your Benefits Start Day 1

Your wellbeing is important to Pacific Life, and we're committed to providing you with flexible benefits that you can tailor to meet your needs. Whether you are focusing on your physical, financial, emotional, or social wellbeing, we've got you covered.

• Prioritization of your health and well-being including Medical, Dental, Vision, and Wellbeing Reimbursement Account that can be used on yourself or your eligible dependents
• Generous paid time off options including: Paid Time Off, Holiday Schedules, and Financial Planning Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave as well as an Adoption Assistance Program
• Competitive 401k savings plan with company match and an additional contribution regardless of participation

You Can Be Who You Are

We are committed to a culture of diversity and inclusion that embraces the authenticity of all employees, partners and communities. We support all employees to thrive and achieve their fullest potential.

What's life like at Pacific Life? Visit Instagram.com/lifeatpacificlife

EEO Statement:

Pacific Life Insurance Company is an Equal Opportunity /Affirmative Action Employer, M/F/D/V. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, contact a Human Resources Representative at Pacific Life Insurance Company.