Claudia Cirilo

• Lead global strategy and administration of employee benefits for a multi-national, union and non-union workforce across the U.S., Canada, UK, Ireland, and India. Currently serving as Interim Director of Benefits during leadership leave of absence. Supervise two specialists and oversee complex compliance, reporting, and vendor operations. Act as the internal lead for benefit system implementation and retirement compliance efforts, while supporting a culture of wellness and engagement for over 5,000 crew members.
• Direct the implementation of Dayforce Benefits, leading the transition from UKG to optimize enrollment and data integrity.
• Oversee ACA compliance and production of 1095 forms to meet federal reporting obligations.
• Design and implement strategic plan changes using data and benchmarking with broker partners.
• Submit union and government contract benefits reporting and deductions in accordance with contract terms and regulations.
• Ensure compliance with federal and multi-state laws (ACA, COBRA, ERISA, HIPAA, etc.), including complex union contracts.
• Lead Form 5500 filings and perform non-discrimination testing (NDT) for FSAs and the retirement plan.
• Serve as internal lead for annual retirement plan audits, coordinating all required documentation and testing.
• Actively serve as a member of the retirement plan committee, providing strategic input and fiduciary oversight.
• Lead end-to-end benefits administration for health, life, vision, dental, wellness, retirement, and voluntary plans.
• Analyzed benefits enrollment data to identify trends and improve program offerings.
• Collaborated with HR team to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations regarding employee benefits.
• Conducted training sessions for staff on benefits policies and enrollment processes, improving understanding and participation.
• Managed vendor relationships to ensure quality service delivery for health, wellness, and retirement plans.
• Led initiatives to streamline benefits administration processes, increasing efficiency in enrollment and communication efforts.
• Provided guidance to employees on complex benefits inquiries, ensuring clarity and support throughout the decision-making process.
• Conducted regular audits of benefit plans to identify discrepancies and maintain accuracy in records.
• Assisted employees with resolving complex benefit-related issues, providing timely support and guidance.
• Assessed client requirements and developed targeted benefits solutions.
• Managed relationships with external vendors such as insurers and brokers, fostering strong partnerships in support of company objectives.

• Brought on as a contract benefits leader to stabilize and restructure benefits administration following multiple 2025 acquisitions. Responsible for resolving compliance gaps, audit issues, and process inconsistencies across newly integrated entities.
• Lead post-acquisition audit remediation, completing the 2022-2034 401(k) audit cycle, identifying compliance gaps, and implementing funding, eligibility, and loan correction processes.
• Recruited to address compliance and administrative gaps following multiple 2025 acquisitions. Leading stabilization of benefits operations, audits, and Open Enrollment readiness.
• Completed 2024 401(k) audit with external CPA firm, correcting funding, loan, and eligibility errors.
• Executed IRC 410(b) group testing across multiple EINs, including legacy plans retained during acquisition.
• Lead Open Enrollment 2026 system testing (UKG/PlanSource), communications, and dependent verification cleanup.
• Served as strategic partner to HR, Finance, and Payroll teams, with a focus on benefits accuracy, compliance remediation, and audit preparedness.
• Analyzed market trends to recommend competitive benefits packages for talent attraction.
• Facilitated communication between management and employees regarding benefits options and updates.
• Implemented data-driven decision-making processes to optimize benefits utilization and cost-effectiveness.

Total Rewards & Compensation Total Rewards Transparency & Communication Benefits Strategy & Administration Compliance, Systems & Governance

Senior Benefits Manager / Total Rewards Lead

Led Total Rewards operations with ownership of benefits strategy and administration and expanding responsibility for compensation governance, job architecture, and pay transparency initiatives across a multi-entity nonprofit healthcare organization.

• Implemented a compensation benchmarking and market-pricing platform (PayFactors) to support compensation comparisons, internal equity analysis, and informed pay decisions.
• Led enterprise-wide job description review and job architecture alignment, partnering with HR leadership to evaluate roles and assign appropriate salary grades
• Conducted market and internal equity analyses to identify positions below minimum salary ranges and supported base pay adjustments to align roles with established salary structures
• Supported compensation governance by documenting job evaluations, grade assignments, and rationale for pay decisions
• Partnered with Payroll and HRIS to design and implement Total Rewards Statements for all employees, including full-time and part-time populations
• Ensured Total Rewards Statements reflected comprehensive employer investment, including compensation, benefits, and 403(b) retirement contributions
• Expanded Total Rewards visibility to part-time employees due to universal eligibility for the 403(b) retirement plan
• Improved employee understanding, engagement, and trust through increased transparency around total compensation and benefits
• Directed administration and strategic oversight of employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, and wellness offerings
• Led annual Open Enrollment planning and execution, ensuring accurate system configuration, employee communications, and vendor alignment
• Managed vendor and broker relationships, including renewals, benchmarking, and plan design evaluations
• Designed and implemented benefit enhancements aligned with workforce needs, cost management, and employee engagement goals
• Ensured compliance with ACA, HIPAA, ERISA, and applicable state-mandated benefit requirements
• Oversaw retirement plan administration, including 5500 filings, nondiscrimination testing (NDT), audit coordination, and ongoing compliance monitoring
• Maintained HRIS and payroll data integrity, ensuring accurate deductions, eligibility, and reporting
• Strengthened governance, documentation, and controls to improve audit readiness and reduce organizational risk
• Developed and implemented comprehensive benefits programs aligned with organizational goals.
• Analyzed employee feedback to enhance benefit offerings and improve satisfaction rates.
• Managed vendor relationships to optimize service delivery and cost-effectiveness of benefit plans.
• Led training sessions for staff on benefits enrollment processes and policy changes.
• Streamlined benefits administration processes, increasing efficiency in claim resolutions.
• Collaborated with HR team to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations regarding employee benefits.
• Conducted market research to assess competitiveness of benefit packages against industry standards.
• Managed FMLA administration, coordinating leave requests and tracking time off for compliance purposes.
• Audited benefit programs and agreements to optimize service delivery.
• Educated staff on the value of their benefits package through training sessions and informational materials.
• Coordinated disability claims management, working closely with insurance providers to facilitate prompt resolutions for affected employees.
• Educated new hires about different benefit plans.

• Analyzed and process high-volume billing, such as Medicare / Medicare Advantage Part A/B billing and Medicaid / Manage Care custodial billing. Developed and maintained comprehensive database through insurance payments posting. Oversaw claim denials follow up and appeals. Identified and mitigated potential risks through monthly eligibility check. Supported physicians to become credential with Medicaid (IMPAC). Monthly invoicing average of 500 invoices.
• Held accountable for SNF authorization maintenance, including verifying member’s eligibility, request prior authorization, admissions, and discharge.
• Commended by senior management for monthly collections up to $1.5M.
• Minimized bad debts and AR from $1.5M to $45K, collected 70% of outstanding balance.
• Identified areas of improvement and implemented best billing practices for skilled nursing and therapy claims.
• Ensured real-time access to relevant data by creating online access to different payor's portals.
• Recognized as subject matter expert, training therapy staff and facility staff to run eligibilities as well as coaching billing staff to read and understand explanation of benefits.

• Administered wide range of functions, including census, admission, discharges, bed holds, and change of payors. Contributed to minimizing backlog of pending Medicaid applications. Obtained and tracked custodial authorizations. Managed monthly collections for two facilities up to $1M. Processed billing Medicaid, Manage Care, Medicare, and Medicare Replacement Insurances. Oversaw payment posting, claim denial follow up, and billing personal portions. Supported with EFT enrollment and new facilities takeover transitions. Submitting and average of 750 monthly invoices.
• Saved cost and improved integrity of data by transitioning from paper billing to electronic billing.
• Maintained Medicare PC-ACE for claims submission.
• Created a training manual for billing software for new employees.

• Streamlined end-to-end operations across the office by rolling out best practices. Maintained a healthy stock level of required resources while managing office supplies. Led a cross-functional team of five employees with a focus on improving operational efficiency. Ensured compliance with the vaccine for children’s program. Oversaw payroll, accounts payable, practice scheduling, clinical improvement, and eligibility verification. Transitioned practice to outsource billing to in-house billing. A contracted physician with all the major insurance companies. Submitting 900 invoices monthly with a 95% clean reimbursement. Submitting an average of 3,000 monthly invoices.
• Implemented Benefits Packages for small group of benefit eligible employees (health and welfare and 401k plan)
• Payroll reconciliation.
• Hire and onboarding.
• Maximized client satisfaction by proactively addressing queries and resolving complex issues
• Managed liens and attorney negotiations for settlements.
• Provider credentialing with government payors and major insurance.