Pearl Gutierrez, phr
Mesquite,TX
Summary
Certified and licensed bilingual HR Employee Benefits professional with demonstrated success in cultivating relationships to promote a positive colleague work experience, and successful execution of business health and welfare and retirement plans.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Benefits Manager
The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, Texas
09.2019 - Current
- Manages the daily and ongoing operations of the benefits program administration of the UTD’s benefits program (such as retirement, medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability) in accordance with state and federal laws.
- Supervises and monitor the performance of Benefits Administrators and Benefits Analyst (Billing & Reporting). Provide coaching and counseling to the position’s direct reports.
- Provide high level of customer service excellence that is timely, accurate and accommodating to a diverse work group.
- Monitor the processing of enrollments, terminations and retirements for all integrated systems (PeopleSoft, Benefitfocus and SGELIG IFIS.
- Coordinate and/or conduct benefits presentations during the staff new hire orientation, faculty and TA/RA orientation, annual enrollment, and Admin U, as needed. Ensure orientation packets and presentations are updated.
- Inform and advise new and current employees about applicable benefits program including insurance plans and retirement plans.
- Communicate with employees and retirees by phone, email and in person regarding benefits eligibility, review of qualifying events, enrollment in the appropriate plans, and ensure the university is compliant with the current law, including making determinations on qualifying changes of status, COBRA, HIPAA and ERISA, as applicable.
- Respond to escalated and routine benefits inquiries from faculty, staff and retirees (including walk-ins).
- Communicate with the UT System Office of Employee Benefits (OEB), UT Benefits Billing (UTBB), insurance carriers and claim offices to resolve or assist in resolution of employee issues.
- Meet with employees to discuss retirement program enrollment, eligibility for retirement and assist with the retirement process.
- Monitor the reconciliation of routine insurance, reconciliation of payroll deductions/variances and review audit reports for accuracy of benefits processing. Coordinate completion of reconciliation and variance reports with other Team members.
- Initiate and manage the preparation and implementation of the annual Open Enrollment process for all employees and retirees. Coordinate meetings sessions with departments and vendors.
- Lead the preparation and execution of the annual Benefits and Wellness Fair, RA/TA Benefits Express, and Faculty Express. Engage the HR team and collaborate with benefit vendors and departments to ensure a successful event.
- Periodically review benefits and other related HR policies, practices and general campus information and communication for inconsistencies. Make recommendations for revisions to comply with new laws, regulations or interaction with other policies.
- Calculate and reconcile retirement limits for employees as requested and as part of monthly payroll processing to include payroll adjustments if required to keep employee within IRS annual limits.
- Coordinate distribution of benefits communication.
- Coordinate processing of death claims, final benefits for retirees and processing of survivor benefits.
- Assist in monitoring and updating contents of the Benefits Section of the HR website.
- Partner with other HR Manager and staff to ensure a cohesive and collaborative approach to achieving the HR mission.
- Provide guidance and assistance to all departments on various employee benefit plans.
- Monitor the performance of the benefits system vendor (Benefitfocus) and document issues for OEB feedback.
- Perform quality checks of benefits related data and research complex benefit plan issues to include system configuration problems by performing root cause analysis and reporting items for troubleshooting via the online case management system, OnePlace.
- Communicate with retirement vendors regarding changes in retirement plans and employee contributions. Provide Vesting Termination Forms. Make changes to retirement contribution in PeopleSoft as necessary. Post any changes in maximum limit for employees on Retirement Manager to ensure limits are enforced and accuracy of W-2 information
- Process and review benefit records in multiple systems including UT Retirement Manager, SGELIG Legacy Benefits platform, insurance carrier portals, and Academic Health Plan portal
- Responsible for records management using the online Onbase system to scan all benefits documents to the electronic employee file and reviewing ACA, Prior State Service, and ORP forms received electronically via PeopleAdmin emails
- Create, document and maintain administrative procedures for assigned benefits processes.
- Responsible for providing metrics data of completed benefits activities for reporting purposes
- Manage Benefits Task List daily via the online My UT Benefits platform to process: enrollments, qualifying life events, and invalid data corrections
- Post approvals or denials of EOI applications via My UT Benefits platform
- Submit emergency update request for employees needing expedited benefit plan enrollments
- Perform audits of monthly, semi-monthly, and retiree deduction file data and partner with payroll and HRIS manager to ensure all deductions, codes, general dedutions and payline items are accurate; make corrections and enter adjustments when necessary
- Create ad hoc custom deduction files as needed and work with HRIS manager to ensure accurate payroll processing
- Reconcile benefit deductions via the online Payroll Variance Manager after payroll close to ensure accuary of benefit deductions and determine necessary variances
- Responsible for ACA monthly audits to identify full-time benefits eligible employees under ACA
- Responsible for year end retirement limits audits, and ACA life events audit for processing of 1095-C filings
Benefits Administrator
The University Of Texas At Dallas
Dallas, TX
02.2019 - 08.2019
- Provide benefits counseling and guidance to new and current employees and retirees to include processing of enrollments, life events, death claims, and retirement.
- Conduct benefits presentation during new employee orientation, benefits express, and Admin U sessions
- Assist with coordination of annual events to include Open Enrollment, Benefits Fair, Benefits Express, Faculty Express, and Flu Shot clinics
- Communicate with voluntary retirement savings plan vendors to provide Vesting Termination Forms
- Recommend changes for benefits offerings enhancements or to improve process efficiency to management
- Responsible for benefits payroll processing for assigned university departments
Benefits Coordinator
Holmes Murphy & Associates
Dallas, TX
09.2017 - Current
- Serve as an employee benefits advocate to resolve employee issues with insurance providers and other benefits administrators
- Support approximately 7,000 lives across 14 accounts, offering support for: medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, healthcare spending accounts, and worksite products
- Facilitate open enrollment presentations in English and Spanish
- Translate benefit communication collateral from English to Spanish
- Assist with enrollments in benefits admin systems
- Collaborate with HR professionals serving as an extension of their team by assisting with QLEs, coverage and eligibility questions, plan options for new hires, and COBRA for terminated colleagues
- Enhanced the onboarding experience for new Holmes Murphy colleagues
- Launched a training plan for future Holmes Murphy Benefit Coordinators
Human Resources Manager
Hyatt Regency Dallas
Dallas, TX
06.2016 - 09.2017
- Facilitate weekly new-hire orientation both in English and Spanish
- Process weekly payroll for 450-500 employees including payroll adjustments, banquet service charge adjustments, voided checks, manual checks, other earnings, other deductions, processing termination payouts, and referral payouts
- Created user guides and trained new managers and executives on KRONOS timekeeping system
- Created print and electronic communications summarizing healthcare benefits, changes, and costs during Annual Enrollment both in English and Spanish
- Revamped manager recognition program
- Implemented a new communication center for line level colleagues
- Coordinated the colleague check-in survey and the Dallas Business Journal's Best Places to Work Survey
- Coordinated colleague events such as the Dallas Business Journal's Best Places to Work luncheon, hotel celebrations, quarterly manager outings and the annual holiday party
- Mentored and trained new HR coordinators on payroll processing, onboarding, and event project management
- Leave of Absence and Workers Comp claims administration
- Educated colleagues on health benefits, voluntary benefits, and 401k retirement plans during exit interviews
- Support Senior HR leadership with investigative coaching and counseling
- Recipient of the Leadership Award for the first quarter of 2017
Human Resources Coordinator II
Hyatt Regency Dallas
Dallas, TX
07.2015 - 06.2016
- Process weekly payroll for 450-500 employees including payroll adjustments, banquet service charge adjustments, voided checks, manual checks, other earnings, other deductions, processing termination payouts, and referral payouts
- Created and published the hotel's biweekly newsletter
- Led the implementation of ADP iPay paperless statements
- Coordinated the colleague engagement survey for the hotel to include hotel mapping, distribution of survey codes, and managed all communications regarding the survey
- Created print and electronic communications summarizing healthcare benefits, changes, and costs during Annual Enrollment both in English and Spanish
- Assisted walk-ins and provided backup phone support for all incoming calls
Human Resources Coordinator I
Hyatt Regency Dallas
Dallas, TX
02.2014 - 06.2015
- Process weekly payroll for 450-500 employees including payroll adjustments, banquet service charge adjustments, voided checks, manual checks, other earnings, other deductions, processing termination payouts, and referral payouts
- Led hotel thru successful payroll transition from WMS to KRONOS
- Created and published the hotel's biweekly newsletter
- Created print and electronic communications summarizing healthcare benefits, changes, and costs during Annual Enrollment both in English and Spanish
- Facilitated classes on healthcare benefits to educate colleagues on healthcare plan details both in English and Spanish
- Recipient of the Hyatt Quality Team Award (Employee of the Month Award)
Human Resources Administrative Assistant
Hilton Anatole Hotel
Dallas, TX
06.2013 - 02.2014
- Coordinated Team Member of the Month and Manager of the Quarter recognition programs, Team Member Birthdays and Anniversaries, community volunteer events and the annual Holiday Party
- Assisted Team Members with benefit enrollment during the annual open enrollment both in English and Spanish
- Assisted with prescreening interviews, and on-site drug testing
- Provided backup support for the front desk
Human Resources Receptionist
Hilton Anatole Hotel
Dallas, TX
12.2012 - 06.2013
- Assisted all walk-ins and answered all incoming calls for a highly active human resources office
- In charge of all office sales including DART annual passes, ticket sales, employee IDs, and name tags
- Assisted employees with employment verifications, direct deposit activations, and travel booking
- Cash drops and creative communications
Telemarketer
Frontline Source Group
Dallas, TX
03.2012 - 11.2012
- Contacted company executives and business owners nationwide to prospect, present, and close Global IP Tandem's VoIP technology solution
Receptionist
The Court Reporting Institute of Dallas
Dallas, TX
07.2010 - 06.2012
- Delivered warm welcomes to guests and students and fulfilled textbook orders
Receptionist
SullivanPerkins, Inc.
Dallas, TX
11.2004 - 01.2010
- Ambassador of first impressions assisting guests with a friendly attitude
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biology
University of Texas at Arlington
2012
Associate of Science - Science
Dallas County Community College
2009
Skills
- PHR, April 2018
- General Lines License - Life, Accident, and Health, February 2018
- KRONOS ADP Carrier Portals Microsoft Office Salesforce UltiPro
- Bilingual - Spanish
Timeline
Benefits Manager
The University Of Texas At Dallas
09.2019 - Current
Benefits Administrator
The University Of Texas At Dallas
02.2019 - 08.2019
Benefits Coordinator
Holmes Murphy & Associates
09.2017 - Current
Human Resources Manager
Hyatt Regency Dallas
06.2016 - 09.2017
Human Resources Coordinator II
Hyatt Regency Dallas
07.2015 - 06.2016
Human Resources Coordinator I
Hyatt Regency Dallas
02.2014 - 06.2015
Human Resources Administrative Assistant
Hilton Anatole Hotel
06.2013 - 02.2014
Human Resources Receptionist
Hilton Anatole Hotel
12.2012 - 06.2013
Telemarketer
Frontline Source Group
03.2012 - 11.2012
Receptionist
The Court Reporting Institute of Dallas
07.2010 - 06.2012
Receptionist
SullivanPerkins, Inc.
11.2004 - 01.2010
Bachelor of Science - Biology
University of Texas at Arlington
Associate of Science - Science
Dallas County Community College
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