| Who is Charles River Associates? Charles River Associates is a top global consulting firm specializing in economic, financial, and management consulting services. CRA advises clients on economic and financial matters pertaining to litigation and regulatory proceedings, and guides corporations through critical business strategy and performance-related issues. Since 1965, clients have engaged CRA for its unique combination of functional expertise and industry knowledge, and for its objective solutions to complex problems. Our Commitment to Diversity Charles River Associates is an equal opportunity employer. As part of our focus on equity and inclusion, we work to ensure a fair and consistent hiring process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment. Human Capital The Human Capital department is currently a team of over 20 professionals committed to attracting, developing, and retaining excellent staff across the firm. The team comprises three functions: Talent Acquisition, Learning and Professional Development, and Immigration and Benefits. Human Capital staff are based in the Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, New York, and London offices. This role reports to the Director of Benefits and has one direct report (Benefits Coordinator).
Job Overview: Job Overview As a Global Benefits Manager/Senior Global Benefits Manager (Senior position dependent on experience), you will support CRA employees through the administration and implementation of CRA’s global benefits program. Our comprehensive benefits programs demonstrate our commitment and compassion for our employees, and include health welfare plans, retirement/pension schemes, and other discretionary and statutory programs. You must have excellent communications, attention to detail, analytical and problem resolution skills, and an ability to build relationships at all levels of the organization, as well as an employee-centered mindset that appreciates the role that benefits can play in attracting and retaining top talent. In addition to building relationships across the firm, you will collaborate closely with payroll, financial administration, recruiting, legal, and other functional teams to support CRA’s ability to attract, develop, and sustain excellent talent. Job Responsibilities
• Works collaboratively with the Director to provide data and counsel on strategy, goals, and effectiveness of CRA’s benefits program performance
• In collaboration with the Director, continue the development, maintenance, and measurement of the efficacy of CRA’s global wellness program, including program development and management, communications, brand awareness efforts and analysis of the programs impact on associated benefits costs and overall satisfaction of the community.
• Provides superior client service to the CRA community including high touch support and bespoke services where appropriate.
• Directly manage the Leave of Absence process including interacting with employees, managers, internal resources, and third-party providers
• Cultivates and administers global vendor, broker, and consulting partner relationships
• Ensures and maintains compliance, filings, and testing for all applicable local, state/province, federal and international laws and CRA policies and procedures, and ensures accurate and current documentation
• Administers the day-to-day operation of the CRA benefits programs on a global level in collaboration and coordination with the Director and Benefits Coordinator. This includes but is not limited to:
o Program management and communication, including Paid Time Off (PTO) utilization and management, transit, wellness, group welfare, retirement/pension plans, and section 125 cafeteria programs
o Technical support, including file integrations and liason with Workday
o Analytical support, including statistical and census data for brokers, insurance carriers, and management; and data auditing
o Payroll support, including coordination and audit of employee benefit deductions
o Enrollment for new employees and during annual open enrollment periods
• Supports the Director on global mobility projects and initiatives as required
• Participates in broader Human Capital initiatives and projects as assigned, to support overall team goals of attracting, developing, and sustaining our employees Skills and Characteristics
• A team player who is collaborative within the firm and with our external vendors and has a passion for delivering superior client service
• You are attentive to detail and have excellent judgement. You are hands-on, responsive, meet deadlines, and deliver accurate, high-quality work while holding your team accountable to the same standards of excellence.
• Extraordinary verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to design effective communications that engage a diverse audience
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple issues and projects of varying complexity and confidentiality in a fast-paced, service centric environment
• You are an able developer of people. You know how to motivate, engage, and appreciate a busy global team, while keeping the team focused.
• Demonstrated ability to be proactive, creative, flexible, innovative and an entrepreneurial thinker
• Strong systems knowledge including MS Office and HRIS; Workday experience preferred
Requirements and Qualifications:
• You must have excellent communication skills and be able to convey complicated information to senior executives and board members. You are also effective at communicating the value of our benefits to potential candidates, new hires, current employees, and departing staff, collaborating with others in Human Capital to do so.
• Working knowledge of and ability to apply the laws, rules and regulations associated with U.S., national, state, and local Leave of Absence mandates, including the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), American with Disabilities Act (ADA), etc.
• Experience in a professional service firm and with self-insurance plans preferred
• Bachelor’s degree
• 7-10 years’ progressive work experience in benefit plan design, utilization and cost analysis, communications, and administration.
• Flexibility for periodic overnight domestic and global travel, as well as occasional weekend and night availability to handle urgent department needs.
Work Location, Flexibility, and COVID Safety We believe that an in-person environment provides the best opportunity for CRA to deliver on its promise of career growth and development for all colleagues. That said, CRA values the health, safety, and wellbeing of our colleagues and will require proof of vaccination for employment with CRA US offices (except in the case of medical or religious exemption). We provide our colleagues with the day-to-day flexibility to periodically work from home. Due to the changing nature and impact of COVID, our protocols are fluid and may change in accordance with government and regulatory guidance. For those who begin the interview process with CRA, your recruiting point of contact will be available to answer any questions about work location and COVID safety you may have. How to Apply: To be considered for this position, please submit your resume and cover letter. We are an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer (EEO/AAE): Minority/Female/Veteran/Disabled |
