Sr. Specialist, Operations Benefits- United States & Puerto Rico Hyrid

Job Description

Overview

As part of the Compensation & Benefits Operations team you play a key role in the exceptional delivery of our Companys Total Rewards program to employees and their families.

The Compensation and Benefits Senior Specialist is responsible for administering operations initiatives related to our Companys United States Pension plan & Puerto Rico Retirement and Health & Welfare benefit plans with a variety of stakeholders. This role requires strong organizational analytical and communication skills empathy and attention to detail. This role will lead various processes in multiple benefit programs including our Companys Puerto Rico 401(k) pension Active and Retiree medical plans as well as administering United States Benefit plans for Union and Non-Union employees.

Responsibilities

Benefit Plan Lead

• Lead ongoing administration and special projects for United States and Puerto Rico Pension 401(k) and Health and Welfare plans (e.g. annual enrollment planning and execution facilitating quarterly Puerto Rico benefits committee approvals financial oversight reporting plan audit(s) validation regulatory filings benefits education/outreach)

• Primary responsible party for daily activities related to Puerto Rico Health & Wellness plan administration

• Partner with team members in Centers of Expertise (COEs) Payroll Legal Finance Labor Relations and the HRBP community regarding various HR inquiries projects and Mergers & Acquisitions activity/site closures for Puerto Rico and supporting US

• Manage processes with vendors including participant United States scalations audit and actuarial governance departmental budget tracking year-end compliance handling payroll testing.

• Guide transitioning executives and employees in their understanding of key compensation & benefits programs at critical moments in their career lifecycle

• Review and research employee and retiree issues to ensure a seamless participant experience

• Partner with outside vendors and lead the resolution of issues that escalate through the Human Resources Support Center and further partner with benefit providers to resolve escalations

• Provide sensitive empathetic timely benefits support to employees and families through challenging life circumstances (e.g. retirement long-term disability death)

• Deep knowledge of United States and Puerto Rico benefits programs (Pension 401(k) Retiree Medical Health & Welfare) ERISA and other United States benefits regulations

• Organized effective communicator with the ability to respond to difficult situations and maintain confidentiality

• Strong judgment analytical and problem-solving skills

• Ability to work with plan actuaries and strong understanding of plan financials

• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently

Education & Experience

• Minimum of a Bachelors degree or currently in pursuit of degree completion or equivalent relevant work experience.

• Minimum of 6 years experience in benefits administration and support or related experience (with Masters degree minimum experience is 4 years).

• Bilingual (English and Spanish) required

#MSJR

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race color age religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin protected veteran status disability status or other applicable legally protected a federal contractor we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws visit:

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together talented and committed people with diverse experiences perspectives skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas broad experiences backgrounds and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one anothers thinking and approach problems collectively.

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U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5 2023 employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week Monday - Thursday although the specific days may vary by site or organization with Friday designated as a remote-working day unless business critical tasks require an on-site Hybrid work model does not apply to and daily in-person attendance is required for field-based positions; facility-based manufacturing-based or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as remote.

The salary range for this role is

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employees position within the salary range will be based on several factors including but not limited to relevant education qualifications certifications experience skills geographic location government requirements and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical dental vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family) retirement benefits including 401(k) paid holidays vacation and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at can apply for this role through (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

San Francisco Residents Only:We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only:We will consider for employment all qualified applicants including those with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co. Inc. Rahway NJ USA also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC Rahway NJ USA does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place introductions are position specific. Please no phone calls or emails.

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