Arnita Russell
Manager of Health & Welfare Benefits
Hazel Crest,IL
Summary
A compassionate, resourceful benefit manager brings over 20 years of experience effectively administering benefit programs, educating employees, and thinking outside the box to assist employees, improve employee satisfaction, and ensure the organization stays compliant.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager of Health and Welfare Benefits
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
01.2023 - 08.2024
- Managed and administered health & welfare benefit programs for 8,000 employees. Ensured programs met employee needs, complied with legal requirements, and were financially responsible. Partnered with the HR team and internal departments to provide guidance and assistance on benefit programs. Maintained and updated policies and procedure documents. Managed the activities of benefit analyst and vendor relationships including vendor call center. Participated in and collected market surveys, managed the online benefits enrollment system and processes, coordinated the auditing & payment of benefit plan invoices, and ensured effective COBRA administration with a third-party administrator. Managed the open enrollment process and ACA process.
Senior Employee Benefit Consultant
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
05.2017 - 12.2022
- Managed the payroll processing function for an organization of 7500 employees, including monitoring benefit premium deductions and coordinating processes for missed benefit deductions, including leave of absence payment tracking, terminated employees, status changes, etc
- Coordinated with payroll staff to ensure effective benefit deduction processes.
- Developed and managed a comprehensive benefits communication program for employees.
- Participated in developing and presenting a variety of orientation and training sessions for employees on work/life benefit-related issues.
- Managed and coordinated new employee orientation, annual open enrollment, and benefit fair activities, including presentation schedule and content.
- Assisted employees with complex benefit inquiries, enhancing their understanding of available options and promoting utilizing appropriate resources.
- Developed customized communication materials to promote employee understanding and appreciation of benefit offerings.
- Managed the implementation process for new clients, ensuring a smooth transition to their new benefits program.
Employee Benefit Consultant
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
02.2008 - 04.2017
- Oversaw the COBRA administration process and acted as the internal liaison with a third-party administrator.
- Managed all facets of the Computer Purchase Program, including order processing with Purchasing, benefit deduction setup, trouble-shooting problem situations, and collection for 30 - 60 monthly orders.
- Managed new employee orientation program, coordinated presentation schedule, and oversaw the presentation content and materials for 30 - 120 monthly new hires.
- Developed & maintained an in-house benefit call line for 100 - 200 weekly employee calls.
Employee Benefit Specialist
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
07.2004 - 01.2008
- Worked with payroll to ensure accurate benefit payments and codes administered for 3,500 employees.
- Assisted new hires and current employees with benefit-related issues to ensure compliance.
- Worked extensively with online benefit vendors to ensure proper and accurate functionality of various system processes, including eligibility, electronic membership transactions to insurance vendors
- Coordinated and assisted employees extensively during open enrollment, initial benefit enrollment, life event changes, and interpretation of benefits, often navigating them through system to ensure problems were resolved timely
- Acted as liaison with benefit vendors to ensure employee issues were resolved and ensured smooth transition and enrollment
- Performed benefit program audits to ensure appropriate enrollment levels and processes were maintained
- Conducted New Hire Orientation
Employee Benefit Assistant
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
07.2002 - 06.2004
- Provided education and assistance to employees on four different medical and three different dental plans
- Assisted employees in the interpretation and coordination of employment benefit programs
- Acted as a Liaison with STD and LTD insurance carriers in the coordination of benefit claim issues with employees, supervisors and Occupational Health staff
- Coordinated and ensured timely benefit and Cobra enrollment, and Cobra administration, therefore ensured compliance
- Benefit file audit to payroll files to ensure accurate information passed from on-line enrollment system to payroll system
- Designated benefit enrollment instructor for new hires on-line enrollment classes
- Team lead for on-line benefit enrollment system
Education
BA - Business
Chicago State University
Chicago, ILM.S. - Management & Leadership
Western Governors University
Millcreek, UT04.2025
Leadership Program
THRIVE – Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital
Chicago, IL05.2018
Skills
- Annual Open Enrollment/Benefit Fair Management
- Benefits Administration
- Benefit Communications
- Vendor Management
- Attention to Detail
- Interpersonal Skills
- Problem-solving
- Process Improvement
Awardsspecialrecognition
Julia Porter, Nominated 4 Times (Individual Outstanding Service)
Timeline
Manager of Health and Welfare Benefits
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
01.2023 - 08.2024
Senior Employee Benefit Consultant
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
05.2017 - 12.2022
Employee Benefit Consultant
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
02.2008 - 04.2017
Employee Benefit Specialist
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
07.2004 - 01.2008
Employee Benefit Assistant
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
07.2002 - 06.2004
BA - Business
Chicago State University
M.S. - Management & Leadership
Western Governors University
Leadership Program
THRIVE – Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital
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