Human Resources, Benefit Specialist
Resume:
RESUME
Brenda K Berning
Henderson, NV 89074
OBJECTIVE:
Employee benefit and Human Resource professional with a background in consulting, account management, benefit administration, recruiting, training and leadership. I am looking to continue my passion and share my expertise, and contagious personality with a solid company. Please note that the one year gap is due to preparing for my move from Oregon to Nevada.
EXPERIENCE:
10/2018 to 10/1/2019 Manager, Employee Benefits – Form Factor I was responsible for overseeing and managing a multi-million-dollar benefit plan to ensure employee satisfaction. Reviewed and recommended changes to processes and procedures detailing impacts to the company both financially and culturally. I developed and incorporated a Wellness Program and incentive process to help drive down benefit costs. Manage corporate leave plans in compliance with various State and Federal guidelines. Assisted with employee relation issues and compensation updates. Participated heavily in hiring and training of new employees. Developed and presented cost and trend updates to Sr. Management. Met daily with employees at all levels to explain benefits and support their understanding.
2/2018 to 11/2018 Employee Benefit and HR Consultant for Vacasa– Worked with the HR and benefit teams to implement compliance and company guidelines in a short term consultant role. Reviewed and recommended changes to processes and procedures detailing impacts to the company both financially and culturally. Assisted with employee relation issues and compensation updates. Identified costly compliance issues under ACA and enacted changes to mitigate the exposure. Audit the FMLA process for adherence to State and Federal guidelines, prepare DOL reporting for timely submissions. Worked with employees directly on questions around benefits and HR related topics.
8/2013 to 1/2018 Director of Benefits – Strategic Employee Benefit Services (SEBS) - Responsible for leading a team of 5 members. Develop annual revenue goals and manage the team to attain the goal. This includes sales of new clients as well as retention of current clients. Provided employee benefit and HR consulting to client accounts. Assist clients with vendor choice on HR and compensation systems. Attract, develop and retain professional employee benefit specialists to work with clients and ensure quality consultation is delivered. Vet and negotiate new services and vendors as needed to maintain practice differentiation. Manage expenses to budget while making impactful expenditures.
6/2011 to 8/2013 Benefit Director - Willis - Responsible for developing large group business acquisition for the Portland, OR office of Willis. Required to develop marketing and sales strategies to attract businesses with 100 or more employees. Actively prospect large customers and present short and long term cost saving strategies for businesses utilizing leading wellness tools and analysis. Specialized with “at risk” clients to ensure their continued business with Willis.
Manage the new sales team including development of their business goals; oversight of prospecting activities including cold calling and networking strategies. Coach the team in the areas of follow through and closing of sales. This office was just building the sales team; in my last six months we increased the pipeline by 400%; closed over $80,000 in sales.
5/2006 to 5/2011, Sr. Sales Executive, Kaiser Permanente - Responsible for sales of Kaiser products to large groups through an assigned broker network. Increased the production of my assigned brokers by 15%. Required to understand large group dynamics of benefits and cost both in a union and non-union environment. Met with brokers and customer groups to present the Kaiser Permanente value proposition, products and services. Lead a team of three to meet new customer expectations in the area of group set-up and implementation. Developed benefit plans that meet customer needs, negotiated premium rates with underwriting to close sales. Consistently demonstrated a 10% close ratio bringing in over 2500 members per year to Kaiser Permanente.
EDUCATION: B.A. University of Northern Colorado, PHR, ACA Certified, Voluntary Products Certification, Global Certification
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