Senior Total Rewards (Benefits) Analyst

About the role

The Senior Total Rewards Analyst/Benefits Specialist serves as a strategic communication specialist and benefits expert, leading the development and execution of comprehensive education and engagement strategies for all total rewards programs. This role supports long-term workforce planning by identifying how benefits and rewards influence attraction, retention, and culture. This role combines deep benefits expertise with strong communication skills to ensure employees at all organizational levels understand and maximize their total rewards packages. As the primary point-of-contact for benefits counseling and the district liaison to the Office of Employee Benefits, the Senior Total Rewards Analyst/Benefits Specialist provides personalized guidance to prospective and current employees, retirees, and executives while creating compelling multi-channel communications that drive benefits awareness and utilization. The position requires an independent, analytical professional who can research and recommend benefit enhancements, manage vendor relationships, coordinate annual enrollment activities, and translate complex benefits information into accessible, engaging content. This senior-level role operates with minimal supervision, leads cross-functional projects, mentors colleagues, and serves as a trusted advisor across the organization, ensuring employees make informed decisions about their health, wellness, and financial security. You Will: Education & Communication Strategy (40%) - Design and implement comprehensive education programs for both System and local total rewards programs. Develop targeted, persona-based communication strategies for diverse employee populations (early career, frontline, remote, leadership). Create compelling multi-channel materials using storytelling and change management techniques to drive program awareness and adoption Explore innovative communication technologies including AI-enabled tools to enhance engagement and effectiveness Counseling & Employee Advocacy (30%) - Serve as primary point-of-contact for employees at all organizational levels, ensuring they understand their total rewards packages and can make informed decisions regarding their health, wellness, and financial security. Conduct comprehensive new employee benefits orientations, provide personalized consultations to regular employees, retirees, and executives. Local Benefits Research & Vendor Management (10%) - Monitor emerging benefits trends and recommends innovations to maintain competitive positioning. Research, assess, and recommend new local benefits or discontinuation of underperforming programs based on data analysis, ROI evaluation, and employee needs. Lead procurement and contract processes including RFP participation, vendor management relationships, and compliance oversight for all local benefit programs. Program Analytics (10%) - Monitor and analyze participation rates across all total rewards offerings to identify trends and inform targeted education campaigns. Monitor participation rates and leverage employee feedback to identify trends and inform targeted campaigns. Apply data analytics to personalize benefits education for varying employee populations. Provide benefits insights to inform workforce planning and EVP development. Generate actionable intelligence through traditional and emerging analytical tools. Annual Enrollment Coordination (10%) - Lead the development and implementation of comprehensive annual enrollment communication plans, providing clear, timely information to employees regarding benefits options, plan changes, costs, and enrollment deadlines. Coordinate all enrollment activities including timeline management, materials development, educational sessions, and post-enrollment analysis to ensure a seamless employee experience. You Have: Required Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration, Communications, or related field 5+ years of progressive experience in benefits administration, total rewards, or related HR function Demonstrated expertise in employee benefits programs including health, retirement, and voluntary benefits Strong knowledge of benefits compliance and regulations (ERISA, COBRA, ACA, HIPAA, FMLA) Excellent communication skills with proven ability to translate complex information for diverse audiences Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel fo