Strategic Benefits & Vendor Lead

Harvard University FAS Human Resources; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvard University in Cambridge, MA is seeking a Benefits Analyst to administer and optimize health and welfare programs within Total Rewards. You will partner with faculty and staff, vendors, and internal teams to ensure compliant, cost-effective benefits delivery and data-driven improvements.

Responsibilities include managing vendor relationships, analyzing benefit utilization, and leading process improvements across plans, with a focus on accuracy, confidentiality, and stakeholder

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant benefits experience.
• Proven analytical and numeric skills.
• Project and program management experience.
• Strong knowledge of ERISA and related laws and regulations.
• Collaborative vendor management style.

Responsibilities

• Manage ancillary benefits and unemployment Insurance processes.
• Coordinate vendor management activities and issue tracking.
• Design new processes to improve efficiency and participant experience.
• Collaborate with BCW teams on plans and implementations.
• Lead projects for plan/vendor changes; maintain reporting needs.
• Respond to data requests for union negotiations.

Skills

Analytical and numeric skills

Project and program management

ERISA knowledge

Vendor management

Communication and interpersonal skills

Excel for analysis

Discretion and confidentiality

Diversity, equity, inclusion values

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

PeopleSoft

ServiceNow

Job description

Harvard University in Cambridge, MA is seeking a Benefits Analyst to administer and optimize health and welfare programs within Total Rewards. You will partner with faculty and staff, vendors, and internal teams to ensure compliant, cost-effective benefits delivery and data-driven improvements.

Responsibilities include managing vendor relationships, analyzing benefit utilization, and leading process improvements across plans, with a focus on accuracy, confidentiality, and stakeholder