Senior Benefits Specialist, JR#1759

PLEASE APPLY ONLINE @ WWW.NEXENINC.COM/CAREERS

Position Overview:
Responsible for overseeing and developing Nexen U.S. benefit programs including retirement plans, welfare benefits plans, and other related benefits programs.

This position is eligible for Nexen's Compressed Work Schedule program (CWS). This program provides flexibility in work hours to assist employees in balancing their work and personal lives. CWS participants work eight hours and 15 minutes per day and earn two Fridays off per month, for a total of 24 days off annually.

Job Duties/Responsibilities:
- Ensures compliance of all benefit programs with governmental regulations and plan documents.  Coordinates with outside auditors, recordkeepers, brokers, consultants and attorneys to ensure complete compliance with regard to plan documents as well as timely filings of Form 5500s, coordination of annual audits, and discrimination testing. 
- Coordinates with outside providers to ensure efficient and accurate administration of the 401(k) and defined contribution pension plan, as well as two non-qualified restoration plans, including enrollment, distributions, loans, salary deferral elections, employer contributions, etc.
- Stays abreast of all regulatory activity that may affect employee benefit plans.
- Assists in annual renewal process of the Nexen Welfare Benefit programs by coordinating with Nexen¿s broker and vendors to ensure competitive pricing and benefit design.  Responsible for annual enrollment process including communication and enrollment meetings as required.  Processes annual elections and ensures vendors are provided data in a timely manner. 
- Coordinates and develops education/training programs delivered to employees regarding retirement benefits and annual enrolment.
- Ensures that all plan documents are in compliance including plan documents, summary plan descriptions, certificate booklets, enrolment forms, etc. to ensure accuracy and compliance with applicable regulations.
- Assists HR Manager with G&A Budget process.
- Coordinates and attends Benefit Plan Design Committee Meetings, and produces and distributes timely Minutes from such meetings.
- Serves as backup to Sr. Payroll/HRIS Specialist.

Supervisory Responsibilites:
No direct supervisory responsibility; however, the position works closely with the HR Analyst - Benefits and may instruct or assign work to this individual as required.

Education/Experience:
Requires a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or a related discipline.  Must have five years of experience working with 401(k) plans, non-qualified retirement plans, annual negotiation of welfare benefit rates and fees, and benefit-related government filings.  Must possess strong attention to detail, advanced time management and organizational skills.  Requires advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint; exposure to ADP, ReportSmith & PeopleSoft a plus. Exposure to payroll processing a plus.

Core Competiencies:
Adaptability/Managing Change: Ability to embrace new technologies, meet emerging market demands, respond effectively to changing conditions, apply continuous improvement techniques and create new business opportunities.

Leadership: Ability to achieve desired results by encouraging and supporting the contributions of others possession of required knowledge, skills and experience to work effectively with others throughout the organization.

Teamwork: Knowledge, skill and ability to work effectively with others to achieve optimal collective results.

Communication: Ability to speak and write clearly and succinctly in a variety of settings and styles; ability to secure information, listen effectively and get messages across that have the desired effect.

Global Cultural Sensitivity: Ability to work successfully in any community by effectively handling cultural, political and economic differences.

Technical/Operating Skills: Possession of appropriate technical and operational knowledge, skills and experience to ensure performance at a high level of accomplishment.

Initiative: Think critically and act logically to evaluate situations and generates required steps to ensure success.

Total Business Understanding: Knowledge and expertise in formulating competitive strategies and managing policies, practices, trends and information affecting the total business.