Employee Relations Life Insurance

JE ANN SEMELEER

Las Cruces, NM ***** • 561-***-**** • *********@*****.***• https://www.linkedin.com/in/je-ann-semeleer-035018125/ TOP LEVEL HR BENEFIT PROFESSIONAL

Benefits Programs Strategic Planning and Implementation Employment Law Accomplished HR Benefit Professional offering expertise across human resources, and health and welfare employee benefits programs.

Solid understanding of diverse human resources disciplines, including compensation practices, employee relations, performance management, state employment laws, and organizational diagnosis.

Strong business acumen and proven track record of successful HR program/ process execution, while assuring compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations.

Strategic thinker who compiles, analyzes and reports data, as well as interprets benefit plan information, plans documents, and related material for optimal benefits planning and evaluation.

Robust communicator with the ability to discharge multiple responsibilities efficiently, driving the achievement of company-wide human resource goals.

Labor Legislation

Employee Relations

Leadership & Collaboration

Human Resources

Compensation Practices

Benefits Program Administration

Salary Negotiations

Organizational Diagnosis

Federal Employment Regulations

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Mayer Brown, Chicago, IL 08/2019 – Present

Benefit Analyst

Reinforce attraction and retention of top talent by researching, recommending, defining and interpreting benefit programs.

» Participate in the benefits strategic planning process, including evaluating benefit trends, and identifying new and innovative offerings, as well as design and recommend modifications to plans and policies as needed.

» Determine employee benefit practices by benchmarking best practices, researching industry and employment trends, as well as tracking legislation and estimating impact.

» Decipher employee benefit interests and recommend employee benefit programs by examining, evaluating, and optimizing employee understanding, acceptance, and interests, costs, regulatory requirements, and competitive advantage.

» Analyze proposed employee benefit contracts by evaluating provisions and estimating impact.

» Explain employee benefits by conducting meetings, preparing written and graphic announcements and explanations, and responding to requests.

» Deliver management planning & control information by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing employee benefit data and trends. Key Contribution:

» Facilitated negotiations with vendors on PEPM for various benefits, saving Mayer Brown $65K+ annually in health benefit costs. University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 10/2018 – 08/2019 Benefit Specialist

Support the implementation and administration of benefit plans and programs, including health, welfare, time-off, retirement, and other offerings, ensuring compliance with specific legal and regulatory requirements, policies and guidelines.

» Implement changes or new offerings and streamline training and operations, proactively identifying and communicating process improvement opportunities.

» Interface with unit administrators spanning employee benefits for new hires and current employees, including preparation of benefits communications materials, as well as facilitation of employee orientations and meetings.

» Deploy benefits administration responsibilities, providing outstanding customer service for employee benefit inquiries and issues, and the resolution of issues regarding claims and eligibility.

» Effectively communicate benefit offerings to new and existing employees, candidates, and family members to ensure effective promotion and understanding.

JE ANN SEMELEER • Page 2 of 2

Key Contributions:

» Played a key role in the mobilization of a Campus-wide Dependent Audit Project for 11,561 dependents.

» Delivered targeted advice on issues such as applicable employment regulations, compensation strategies and internal systems to help update antiquated or ineffective approaches. Indiana Conference of SDA Carmel, IN 01/2016 – 10/2018 HR Generalist

Led daily functions of the Human Resource (HR) department, including hiring and recruitment, pay, benefits, and leave administration, and enforcing company policies, practices, and procedures.

» Executed redesign of organizational structures to enhance team and leadership effectiveness through operational analysis, needs assessments and process mapping.

» Mobilized team member services, & customized employee programs focused on optimizing labor relations & communications.

» Updated key human resource metrics, including turnover and terminations, using reporting tools on HRMS database. Key Contributions:

» Minimized exposure from employee liability with the creation and implementation of a background screening matrix onto the onboarding process.

» Established and deployed a FMLA leave procedure to accommodate the legitimate interests of employees.

» Collaborated with HRIS on the revision of the company's EEO reporting tool, facilitating compliance with mandated federal statute and regulations.

Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan 10/2013 – 12/2016 Training and Development Coordinator 05/2015 – 12/2016 Evaluated success of training initiatives and provided relevant insights and recommendations on promising improvements to enhance program effectiveness.

» Reviewed and edited all training collateral for accuracy, and to ensure compliance with company policies and protocols.

» Conducted new employee orientation training processes for more than 20 Campus staff and faculty weekly.

» Delivered new employee onboarding and training sessions via Oracle and Bswift to share best practices.

» Coordinated ongoing technical training and personal development, scheduling classes for staff members.

» Assessed skill gaps for employees in various department and developed training courses to meet identified needs.

» Owned departmental budgeting for Training and Development, facilitating the tracking and reconciliation of budgets and expenses for each type of training, and strategizing on cost reduction. Key Contribution:

» Boosted productivity, quality, reduction of turnover and learning time and ability by enhancing Training and Hiring modalities, conducting benchmark surveys, and leveraging research and survey data gleaned via HRIS to analyze variances. Employment and Benefits Assistant 10/2013 – 05/2015 Facilitated the administration of employee health insurance plans for students, faculty, and employees. Leveraged independent judgment in making decisions, with a focus on providing excellent customer service.

» Updated and maintained recordkeeping and documentation of electronic employee files for employee benefits and payroll, overseeing confidential and sensitive information using sound judgment and utmost discretion.

» Conducted new hire orientations and development classes to educate and inform employees across Employee Benefits including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, life insurance, deferred compensation plans and defined benefit plans.

» Provided benefit subject matter expertise on escalated employee inquiries/cases, and facilitated effective resolution.

» Ensured compliance with plan documents, Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), and Federal and State regulations.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) • Workday • PeopleSoft • PeopleSoft/Oracle • Bswift Software JE ANN SEMELEER • Page 3 of 2

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Master of Science in Administration • Andrews University • 2016 Bachelor of Science in Accounting • Andrews University • 2010 PMP Certificate • University of Chicago

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATION

Member • International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans • 08/2019 – Present

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