JAMILLAH MCDOWELL
Lithonia,GA
Summary
Senior benefits professional with deep experience in benefits administration, compliance reporting, open enrollment, vendor coordination, audits, and HRIS support. Manages benefit plan audits, ACA reporting, carrier reconciliations, and compliance filings to keep programs accurate and aligned with federal and state requirements.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Benefits Analyst
Aveanna Healthcare
Atlanta, GA
05.2021 - Current
- Conduct annual, monthly, and quarterly benefit plan audits and complete reporting requirements, including benefit salary audits, annual Medicare Part D notice reporting, and overage dependent monitoring.
- Managed annual compliance filings, including PCORI, SAR distribution, Form 5500 review and submission, and quarterly and annual vaccine state assessments.
- Support completion of 1094/1095 reporting and Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliance requirements.
- Oversaw assigned benefits carriers to ensure consistent adherence to service level agreements (SLAs).
- Complete monthly benefit billing and reconciliation to verify costs align with enrollment data and carrier records.
- Project manage Open Enrollment processes, including communication review, website testing, analysis, and reporting.
- Manage benefits onboarding for acquisitions, ensuring accurate transition of employee benefit data and plan information.
- Support 401(k) reconciliation and employee account funding to maintain accurate retirement plan administration.
- Maintained and updated employee benefits website, ensuring information accuracy, currency, and accessibility for users.
- Contributed to new benefits projects and process improvement initiatives, aligning solutions with business needs.
Benefit Services Partner
UKG
Alpharetta, GA
09.2017 - 05.2021
- Management of all administrative aspects of Customer company benefit plans, including but not limited to medical dental, vision, FSA/HSA/HRA plans, life insurance, disability and voluntary plans.
- Led annual open enrollment activities including but not limited to project management, system testing/set-up, open enrollment meetings, validation of benefit data, elections and customer acceptance.
- Ability to interpret benefit plan documents and discuss in detail.
- Communicated confidently and professionally to enhance Customer satisfaction through meetings, progress reporting, issue resolution, and other interactions.
- Acted on behalf of the Customer when dealing with brokers and third-party vendors.
- Ensured strict compliance with related federal and state laws and guidelines.
- Proactively analyzing problems and driving root cause resolution to prevent recurrences.
- Recommended proactive strategies to improve Customer procedures and processes.
- Documented and maintained Customer benefit processes to ensure clarity and consistency.
Benefits Account Manager
Seacrest Partners
Atlanta, GA
05.2016 - 08.2017
- Managed client accounts through detailed analysis of client-specific details to enhance service delivery.
- Managed renewal process with clients and carriers to ensure successful implementation by the renewal effective date.
- Advocated for clients to resolve claims and issues promptly, ensuring their concerns were addressed effectively.
- Cultivated relationships with clients at the administrative level.
- Oversaw policies, certificates, and contractual agreements to ensure compliance and maintain organizational standards.
- Verified compliance processes and documentation for accuracy and completeness.
- Resolved customer service inquiries that require research and interactions with carriers or agents.
Benefits Consultant
Mueller Water Products
Atlanta, GA
09.2013 - 05.2016
- Maintained positive relationships with benefit vendors and consultants, acted as primary contact on plan issues, provided requested data to auditors, and resolved escalated benefits issues. Led US open enrollment planning process, collaborating with consultants to ensure successful execution.
- Consulted with HR representatives across operating units on legal compliance, policy interpretation, administrative processes, and streamlined benefit administration procedures.
- Administered all employee benefit plans and supported ESPP and defined benefit pension administration.
- Led on implementation and testing of vendor file feeds with all carriers.
- Verified the monthly calculation of monthly vendor invoices. Maintain statistical data relative to premiums and claims and provide reporting for monthly claims. Audited employee benefit deductions per pay period.
- Administered wellness program, promoting healthy behaviors and enhancing employee engagement.
- Maintained up to date knowledge of benefit regulations such as ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, IRS Section 125 and healthcare reform laws to ensure compliance.
Benefits Manager
Rollins Inc.
Atlanta, GA
04.2011 - 09.2013
- Acted as the department subject matter expert in federal laws related to ERISA, FMLA, HIPAA, COBRA, ADA, etc.
- Managed ERISA plan audit activities, overseeing preparation, completion, and timely filing of 5500s.
- Functioned as the acquisition's benefits consultant and led the due diligence team in conducting benefits cost analysis for acquired groups.
- Managed vendor relationships, evaluating performance to ensure alignment with organizational standards.
- Facilitated open enrollment process for employees to select benefits options. and new vendor implementation project lead and coordinating and managing health and vendor fairs.
- Reconciled statements and/or payroll deductions for employee benefits, worked with Accounts Payable for benefit related invoices.
- Handled any and all managerial responsibilities of the Benefits Specialists.
- Interfaced with Human Resources, Payroll, IT and Accounting on benefit accounting issues.
HRIS Implementation Consultant
ADP
Atlanta, GA
10.2007 - 04.2011
- Launched real-time system integration protocols for key processes, including Autoload, Real Time New Hires, Real Time Updates, and Single Sign On applications, streamlining operations.
- Built and led cross-functional teams in client organizations, enhancing human resource functions through HRBAS and ASO management.
- Delivered hands-on support during client's initial weeks with advanced technologies, enhancing the client experience.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration and Management
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA08-2006
Associate of Science - Computer Science
Northeast Alabama Community College
Rainsville, AL05-1992
Skills
- Benefits Management
- Benefits strategy
- Open Enrollment Management
- Wellness Planning
- Regulatory Compliance
- HIPAA Compliance
- Enrollment Procedures
- HRIS management
- Benefits Software
- Workday
- Program Oversight
- Responding to inquiries
Timeline
Senior Benefits Analyst
Aveanna Healthcare
05.2021 - Current
Benefit Services Partner
UKG
09.2017 - 05.2021
Benefits Account Manager
Seacrest Partners
05.2016 - 08.2017
Benefits Consultant
Mueller Water Products
09.2013 - 05.2016
Benefits Manager
Rollins Inc.
04.2011 - 09.2013
HRIS Implementation Consultant
ADP
10.2007 - 04.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration and Management
Georgia State University
Associate of Science - Computer Science
Northeast Alabama Community College