KAREN OLIVER J.D.
Moorpark,CA
Summary
Experienced benefits leader with a law degree and a proven ability to develop and manage comprehensive benefits programs that align with organizational objectives. Utilizing strategic planning and regulatory compliance, ensures effective administration of benefits. Track record showcases ability to foster collaboration and drive initiatives that enhance employee satisfaction and contribute to organizational success.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Benefits
Sunrun, Inc
11.2023 - Current
- Design and manage all health, retirement and leave benefits, including the renewal and Open Enrollment planning
- Championed and launched the well-being program within the organization, promoting a culture of health and well-being among employees.
- Implement a new Benefits Guide and revamp our benefits website
- Manage the Leaves of Absence team, overseeing approximately 350 LOAs at a time while working to streamline processes
- Lead a team of 7 Benefit SMEs while growing their knowledge base and mentoring them in their career growth
- Strategize on cost cutting options, including implementing a Dependent Audit, changing benefit end dates for terminated employees, adding Sword Health (MSK vendor) and adjusting premiums to match benchmark
- Implemented metrics-driven approach to evaluating benefit plan effectiveness, using data analysis to inform future enhancements.
- Evaluated and benchmarked existing company benefits with industry peers and analyzed other plans and surveys.
- Streamlined benefits administration processes for increased efficiency and cost savings.
- Championed and launched the well-being program within the organization, promoting a culture of health and well-being among employees.
- Establish monthly training for the entire People Team to create consistent eduction regarding the Rewards initiatives.
H/W and Retirement Benefits Manager
Securitas Security Services
01.2018 - 01.2023
- Strategize and design the selection the benefit vendors for medical, dental, vision, life, disability and all auxiliary benefits
- This includes self-funded and fully insured products (17 medical plans)
- Manage retirement plans for both the US and Canada population
- Manage benefits for 80,000 eligible employees on 2 separate benefit platforms
- Create business proposals for any new benefit programs to be reviewed by the executive committee, such as Smoking Cessation and Diabetes Prevention programs
- Work on merging acquisitions on to the company retirement plans and monitoring compliance
- Partner with the Compensation department on job code and benefit structure cleanup
- Run the Annual Enrollment process for all employees and work with the 3rd party vendor for system testing
- Manage a staff of 5 Benefit team members
- Address all team questions and training needed to learn the Securitas structure
- Conduct monthly and annual training for all HR regarding the complicated benefit structure and regarding annual enrollment on two different benefits platforms
- Plan all benefit communications designed for employee resource materials
- This includes 12 versions of Benefit Guides for the different plan choices by each entity
- Ran a massive company wide dependent audit identifying hundreds of ineligible dependents
- Lead the relocation program for the upper management moves throughout the year
- Manage health and welfare Canadian benefits for 8,000+ Canadian employees, involving 3 separate benefit plan structures and consultants
HR Benefits Supervisor (Position 2 of 2)
CH2M Hill
07.2010 - 01.2018
- Manage the HR staff handling all Qualifying life events, health and welfare inquiries
- Supervise the data transmission of all benefit files, 401k reconciliation and wiring of benefit funds
- Administer the Health Savings Account plan and all the reconciliation of deductions for 4000 participants
- Implemented a third party administrator for the Leaves of Absence program, creating more compliance and reducing headcount
- Managed the Leave of Absence team and assist with all leave/disability issues
- Assisted with Open Enrollment planning, plan design, communication and extensive testing of the HRIS system
- Worked on Reduction In Force projects and necessary communications
- Train new benefits staff members on all benefits, Oracle processes and CH2M processes
- Created materials and presentations to onboard any M&A groups
- Managed the deceased processes and claims (approx 60 deaths a year) and worked very closely with all of the families to resolve outstanding benefits
- Led efforts in updating company policies surrounding leave requests, disability accommodations, and other benefits-related issues.
Benefits Administrator
CH2M Hill
07.2007 - 07.2010
- Assist U.S
- And expatriate employees with claims issues, Qualifying Life Events and overall benefits questions
- Process employee death claims and work with beneficiaries to gather the necessary information
- Train fellow co-workers on how to use the Oracle systems
- Backup the Disability Administrator by processing all aspects of disability claims and payments
- Conduct Benefit training for new hires to the HR/Benefits department
- Present benefit meetings for acquired companies and union groups
- Send vendor data files via secure connections
Human Resources Generalist
Intrepid Mining, LLC
01.2007 - 06.2007
- Assist in benefit plan design and presentation for a company with both union and non-union employees (625 employees)
- Plan strategy to motivate the employees to attend the Open Enrollment meetings
- Process payroll using ADP’s online website
- Administer the 401(k) via the Fidelity website and compile 401(k) reports for Finance
- Complete spreadsheet charts for the bonus plan for the management of the company
- Work on posters for employee communications
- Key recruiter for the company by utilizing online job postings and recruiting firms
Benefits Administrator/Stock Plan Administrator
Guitar Center
07.2004 - 12.2006
- Administer and process all aspects of the 401(k) & Profit Sharing with over 2000 participants; this includes answering any employee questions on loans, vesting, and reconciliation with payroll
- Backup contact person for the Benefits Manager (health insurance, life insurance claims, etc.)
- Help conduct new hire orientation to all incoming employees
- Monitor Insider Trading and provide approvals to insiders wishing to trade
- Administer and process the Employee Stock Purchase Plan to over 1000 participants
- Process all daily stock option exercises and reconcile funds received for the option price
- Process all granting of company stock options and restricted stock
- File SEC forms for the Section 16 Insiders with regards to their trades
- Coordinate mass mailing of company annual report
- Complete portions of the proxy in relation to stock and insider transactions
- Coordinate annual Shareholder Meeting
- Interact with executive team on a daily basis
Human Resources Generalist/Benefits Administrator
Guitar Center
08.2002 - 07.2004
- Administer FMLA, medical, dental, life insurance and COBRA benefits to employees in over 50 stores nationwide
- Investigate claims for Employee Relations investigations, including sexual harassment issues
- Help coordinate health insurance Open Enrollment for over 10,000 employees, including a transition from paper enrollment to web based enrollment
- Travel to stores nationwide to run benefit meetings during open enrollment
- Medical and dental billing & reconciliation
- Process 401(k) wires for all employee contributions
- Coordinate Profit Sharing eligibility and funding
Human Resources Manager
Clarion Palm Garden Hotel
06.1999 - 08.2002
- Carefully screen new applicants, process all new hire paperwork, & conduct orientation
- Administer medical & dental benefits, the cafeteria plan, worker’s compensation & unemployment claims
- Train employees in aspects of guest services
- Monitor all employee relations issues and investigate as needed
- Complete processing of payroll for 80 plus employees using ADP
- Run Safety Committee meetings and OSHA compliance
- Key recruiter for the hotel, including doubling the size of the staff
Education
J.D. - Law
Ventura College of Law
Ventura, CA05-2007
Skills
- Healthcare management
- Employee relations
- Benefits administration
- Retirement plans
- Employment law compliance
- Vendor relationship management
- Benefit auditing
- Team building
- Interpersonal communication
- Payroll management
- Performance appraisal
- Performance appraisal systems
Timeline
Director of Benefits
Sunrun, Inc
11.2023 - Current
H/W and Retirement Benefits Manager
Securitas Security Services
01.2018 - 01.2023
HR Benefits Supervisor (Position 2 of 2)
CH2M Hill
07.2010 - 01.2018
Benefits Administrator
CH2M Hill
07.2007 - 07.2010
Human Resources Generalist
Intrepid Mining, LLC
01.2007 - 06.2007
Benefits Administrator/Stock Plan Administrator
Guitar Center
07.2004 - 12.2006
Human Resources Generalist/Benefits Administrator
Guitar Center
08.2002 - 07.2004
Human Resources Manager
Clarion Palm Garden Hotel
06.1999 - 08.2002
J.D. - Law
Ventura College of Law
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