Benefits Administration Employee Relations

JACQUELINE DUGAS

***** ******* ****** *****, ****, TX 77449 713-***-****

TOP-PERFORMING BENEFITS PROFESSIONAL

As a leader in the benefits administration and program management space, my role as a Benefits professional is indeed crucial to the success and well-being of the workforce. As the architect behind comprehensive benefit programs that not only attract top talent but also ensure employee retention and overall satisfaction. My experience and responsibilities encompass a wide range of areas, including:

Health and Welfare Programs: Designing and managing health insurance plans, wellness programs, and other health-related benefits that promote employee well-being.

Retirement Programs: Developing retirement savings plans and ensuring employees have the resources and information they need to plan for their future.

Compliance: Ensuring all benefit programs comply with relevant laws and regulations, mitigating risks for the company.

Vendor Relationships: Managing relationships with benefit providers, ensuring they deliver quality services and value to the company.

Employee Guidance: Providing advice and support on benefit-related matters to both senior leadership and employees, ensuring they understand and utilize their benefits effectively.

Leave of Absence Programs: Overseeing programs that manage employee leave, ensuring smooth operations and compliance.

Workplace Accommodations and Workers' Compensation: Ensuring employees receive the necessary accommodations and support if they are injured or need adjustments in their work environment.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

ALS USA/Consultant /Director/Benefits Finance Benefits and Retirement Plan Manager, NA 2022- 2024

Responsible for the strategy, evaluation, and development of existing and new benefits programs to maintain a competitive position in the marketplace while containing overall program costs. Consult with key owners, and C-Suite decision-makers on all aspects of benefit plan design, implementation and enrollment. To include but not limited to Retirement, Health and Welfare, and Financial Wellness operations, (e.g., FSA, HSA, COBRA, vendor management, and compliance administration,).

K-Force/Intuit/Benefits Analyst 2020 – 2021

●Spearheaded all aspects of operations of Health and Welfare, Financial Wellness, and Retirement (e.g., FSA, HSA, COBRA, vendor file management, compliance administration, leadership presentation and plan design and implementation).

●Directed an important cross-functional employee success project to increase operations.

●Redesigned the employee communications portal and migrated the content internally with the communications consultant and cross-functional teams.

●Developed content governance strategy with Employee Experience/Communications teams.

●Designed and implemented global employee communication and training campaigns to enhance employee understanding and improve engagement.

Apex Systems/Eurofins TestAmerica, Inc., LLC, Houston, TX 2019 - 2020

Benefits Administrator/Manager

●Led the annual enrollment and premium reconciliation compliance from a 1-year lag to 0 lag.

●Improved efficiency by 70% and created process workflow for all operational benefits administration from new hired enrollments to claims resolutions.

●Led daily operation of benefit programs, including enrollments, terminations, changes, COBRA, beneficiaries, disability, rollovers, distributions, loans, hardships, and compliance testing.

●Oversaw the annual open enrollment process and provided oversight of benefits operations.

●Conducted annual 401(k) compliance testing with an outside 3rd-party plan administrator.

Service Corporation International, Houston, TX 2018 - 2019

Senior Benefits Analyst

●Executed and ensured compliance with established US health, welfare benefits, and 401(k) plans.

●Directed the planning, design, implementation, and administration of company benefit plans, guiding all domestic locations regarding benefit plans and programs.

●Provided project management oversight and execution of all US benefit projects including plan compliance and corrections where applicable.

Warren Distribution, Inc., Omaha NE 2017 - 2018

Benefits Manager

●Planned and managed the design, implementation, communication, and administration of the company’s employee benefits and wellness programs designed to attract and retain top talent.

●Ensured compliance with all state and federal regulations and met the needs of the company.

●Partnered closely with cross-functional departments to ensure plans were well-understood, utilized, and compliant.

Mattress Firm, Houston, TX 2015 - 2016

Benefits Supervisor

●Oversaw the full life cycle of employee benefits: Medical (PPO, HDHP), Dental, Vision, FSA, HSA, Life/AD&D including benefits enrollment, termination, changes, and claim management.

●Led retirement plan 5500 audit and 5500 filings, working with consultants and auditors.

CEVA LOGISTICS, LLC, Houston, TX 2014 – 2015

Manager – Strategic Plans and Compliance

Coordinated day-to-day benefits administration and compliance management in multiple capacities. Trained, developed, and managed a high-performing benefits team to ensure compliance with all applicable guidelines, regulations, and company policies/procedures. Maintained compliance consistency for benefits plans.

Designed and implemented effective benefits strategies to reduce organizational costs while offering competitive and valuable employee benefits packages.

Successfully positioned the company as an employer of choice in a highly competitive job market.

AIRLINE PILOT ASSOCIATION, Houston, TX 2010 – 2014

Benefits Specialist

Provided administrative and technical support to select employee groups to assist in understanding group benefit programs, including Group Life, Health, Dental, Disability, Retirement Plans, and Section 125 Plans. Leveraged strong analytical skills to evaluate pension plan financial status to ensure solvency. Supported the collective bargaining process, coordinated various committee projects, and prepared benefits information.

Built lasting business relationships with key industry stakeholders from banking officials, investment managers, and insurance brokers to CPAs, claims adjustors, and federal agencies (DOL, PBGC, and the IRS).

Served as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and primary liaison to pilots and their families, as well as local retirement and insurance representatives.

Developed expansive knowledge base of all available benefits plans and packages by analyzing material describing fringe benefits offering value for specific employee populations.

REDEMPTION COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, Houston, TX 2008 – 2009

Director – Volunteer Services

Established strategic, long-range volunteer and solicitation objectives by successfully securing multiple corporate sponsorships and utilizing outreach to build strong community relationships.

Recruited, trained, and managed a 150-person volunteer corps to achieve community development goals.

Collaborated with a major outreach organization to spearhead the construction of a playground facility and serve the community in an economically deprived area of Houston.

Partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish a community garden that provided affordable and healthy food for families in underserved and disadvantaged populations.

U.S. ONCOLOGY, Inc., Houston, TX 1999 – 2008

Associate Director / Benefits Manager / Benefits Administrator

Instrumental in attracting and retaining top-level talent by implementing nationwide best practices policies to manage competitive benefits programs. Held direct oversight and reconciliation responsibility for a $78M annual health/welfare budget. Cultivated business relationships with external consultants, insurance carriers, and third-party vendors. Key contributor in the institution of a voluntary benefits platform on which all future benefits would reside; reduced workforce requirements by creating an online benefits shopping platform.

Realized a 50% reduction in error rate and a 75% increase in online enrollment participation following the introduction of confirmation statements and a state-of-the-art open enrollment system.

Successfully reduced operational costs by 25% through the implementation of automated processes and productivity enhancements.

Achieved 25% savings in overhead expenses by creating a third-party clearing house for payroll administration of all voluntary benefits enrollment deductions.

Handled benefits administration for 40+ affiliated practices of U.S. Oncology, Inc. comprised of over 10,000 employees and 900 physicians.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science; Minor in Political Science

Jarvis Christian University, Hawkins, TX

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS, LICENSES, TECHNOLOGIES

Affiliations: International Foundation of Employee Benefits Professionals (IFEBP)

Licenses: General Lines Agent: Life, Accident, Health, & HMO, Texas Department of Insurance

Technologies: Oracle/PeopleSoft, UKG (formerly UltiPro-Ultimate Software), Workday, ADP (Workforce Now)

http://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-dugas-3049756

LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES

Adaptable, Resilient, Accurate and Rigorous, Inquisitive and Probing, Courageous, Assertive and Influential

Ability to mentor, coach, and develop team members at various stages of their career

Ability to develop deep working relationships with internal and external stakeholders

Able to quickly respond to regulatory changes, executive concerns, internal process issues, and escalation.

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