Knife River Corporation, a people-first company, is looking for an HR Benefits Analyst to join our team. You will be instrumental in supporting the strategy, administration, and continuous improvement of our benefits programs, delivering exceptional customer service to employees and retirees. This role offers the opportunity to be part of a team that builds strong communities.
What You'll Do
- Serve as the expert resource for regional HR, corporate team members, and retirees, answering benefit questions.
- Assist in developing and managing benefit programs to meet organizational goals and ensure compliance.
- Coordinate benefits implementation, including systems updates, process improvements, and compliance procedures.
- Serve as a liaison with vendors to support plan administration and resolve issues.
- Conduct benefits research, including benchmarking, competitive analysis, and compliance reviews.
- Gather and analyze key plan data like participation, utilization, and cost trends to provide management insights.
- Support cost-reduction and efficiency initiatives through data analysis and actionable recommendations.
- Track, monitor, and analyze claims, fees, premiums, and related data; reconcile discrepancies and prepare summary reports.
- Identify and recommend process improvements, system enhancements, and cost-control opportunities.
- Support senior benefits staff with comprehensive, in-depth analysis and reporting.
- Coordinate, compile, and validate data for nondiscrimination testing, premium billing, and regulatory requirements.
- Implement and update approved benefit and regulatory changes, streamlining systems and processes.
- Assist with drafting, editing, and reviewing Summary Plan Descriptions, Form 5500 filings, and other corporate materials.
- Conduct analyses related to mergers, acquisitions, and plan integrations.
- Respond promptly to benefits inquiries from employees, retirees, and HR partners with accurate guidance.
- Assist in preparing and delivering benefits updates, program changes, and training sessions.
- Serve as a subject-matter expert for corporate and regional HR teams on existing benefit programs.
- Research, analyze, and report on benefit requests from senior analysts and management.
- Support benefits budget preparation and provide monthly variance analyses.
- Assist with evaluating renewals, plan changes, premium rates, and contract terms.
- Maintain strong systems knowledge for tracking, reporting, and understanding plan design impacts.
- Manage premium billing, contributions, and payment processing.
- Develop and maintain project timelines to ensure timely completion of benefits initiatives.
- Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.
What We're Looking For
- Benefits Analyst II: Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, accounting, or a related field. Minimum of two years of comprehensive benefits experience, including health and welfare programs and qualified retirement plans.
- Benefits Analyst III: Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, accounting, or a related field. Minimum of four years of benefits program management and compliance experience in health and welfare programs and qualified retirement plans.
- Benefits Analyst IV: Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, accounting, or a related field. Minimum of seven years of advanced experience in employee benefits program management, benefits accounting, and compliance across health and welfare plans and qualified retirement plans.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with employees at all levels and retirees.
- Excellent customer service skills and the ability to build trusted internal and external relationships while maintaining confidentiality.
- Working knowledge of statistical analysis, benefits design, and benefits-related laws and regulations.
- Self-motivated team player with strong interpersonal and facilitation skills.
- Proven analytical ability, including applying accounting principles to support benefit design and cost analysis.
- High attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects.
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to follow directions and meet deadlines.
- Professional, courteous, and service-oriented in all interactions.
- Ability to handle confidential information appropriately.
- Valid driver’s license may be required.
Nice to Have
- Additional experience in benefits accounting and/or payroll.
- Advanced Excel skills, including formulas, descriptive statistical functions, V-lookups, and pivot tables.
- HRIS system experience (preferable JDE and UKG Pro).
- Background in benefits program management.
- Experience supporting merger and acquisition activities.
Technical Stack
- Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- HRIS systems (JDE, UKG Pro)
Work Mode
This position is based in Bismarck, ND, with a hybrid work mode. Qualified remote candidates may be considered if they can travel frequently for onsite training and team collaboration.
Knife River is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.
