Benefits Analyst

The Benefits Analyst provides advanced expertise and operational leadership in the administration, analysis, and continuous improvement of the Institute's employee benefits programs. This role serves as a key resource for assigned benefit programs, ensuring accurate, consistent, and compliant administration while driving process improvements, system enhancements, and initiatives that enhance the employee experience and operational effectiveness.

The Benefits Analyst applies comprehensive knowledge of benefits regulations, plan provisions, contracts, and Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs) to resolve complex issues, support compliance requirements, and provide guidance to Benefits team members and stakeholders. This position manages vendor relationships, monitors service delivery and performance, analyzes benefits data, and develops reporting and recommendations to support informed decision-making and continuous improvement.

Working collaboratively with HR, Payroll, Finance, HRIS, Information Systems, vendors, and other partners, the Benefits Analyst leads projects, supports system enhancements and integrations, maintains data integrity, and ensures benefits programs are administered in alignment with organizational policies, regulatory requirements, and employee needs.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Evaluate, manage, and analyze benefit programs to ensure they are administered fairly, consistently, accurately, and in compliance with Institute policies, procedures, and applicable federal and state regulations.
• Serve as the primary owner for assigned benefit programs, leading ongoing administration, continuous improvement efforts, and strategic projects from planning through implementation.
• Manage vendor relationships and performance, including service delivery, customer service, operational issues, data integrity, compliance, project execution, and service level reporting.
• Provide subject matter expertise and guidance to Benefits team members on complex plan provisions, escalated employee issues, regulatory requirements, and benefits administration processes.
• Lead departmental initiatives, system enhancements, upgrades, and regression testing by developing project plans, coordinating cross-functional activities, monitoring timelines, and communicating project updates to stakeholders.
• Develop, maintain, and monitor data integrity processes; analyze benefits data, identify trends and discrepancies, proactively resolve issues, and escalate critical risks as appropriate.
• Establish, track, and analyze key performance metrics, producing reports and recommendations to support operational excellence, informed decision-making, and continuous process improvement.
• Collaborate with HR, Payroll, Finance, HRIS, Information Systems, vendors, and other stakeholders to ensure effective administration of benefit programs, resolve complex operational issues, and support organizational initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of applicable federal and state benefits laws, regulations, and guidelines, including ERISA, with the ability to interpret and apply regulatory requirements to benefits administration and operations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of employee benefits administration, including the ability to provide guidance, mentorship, and support to junior team members on complex benefits matters.
• Ability to interpret and apply benefits contract language, Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs), and legal plan documents to ensure accurate and compliant administration.
• Excellent customer service, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to effectively partner with employees, internal stakeholders, vendors, and cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Excel, Word), HRIS platforms (Workday, PeopleSoft), benefits administration systems, and the ability to quickly learn and navigate vendor and other business systems; experience supporting system integrations preferred.
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet tight deadlines, and maintain effective follow-through in a complex environment.
• Collaborative team player with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to build productive working relationships across teams and departments.

Minimum Job Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related field.
• 5 years of progressive employee benefits experience, including benefits strategy, compliance, vendor management, and complex leadership required.

License/Certification/Registration Required: None

Supervisory Responsibilities: No

Patient Contact: No

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionate professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

EEO Poster

Pay Transparency Statement

The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate's relevant experience, skills and qualifications.

For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

$85,000.00 - $99,400.00