Benefits Specialist

About Kirkland & Ellis

At Kirkland & Ellis, we are united in our ambition and drive to move forward. We share core values that help us achieve excellence: collaboration, talent empowerment, service, inclusion, respect and gratitude. Our people are our greatest asset, and we invest in the brightest talent and encourage a diversity of perspectives and strengths to create dynamic teams that operate at the pinnacle of their field. Our talented professionals show up every day knowing they will engage in meaningful work, continuous learning and professional development.
 
As one of the world’s leading law firms, we serve a broad range of clients with market-leading practices in private equity, M&A and other complex corporate transactions; investment fund formation and management; restructurings; high-stakes litigation and trials; and government, regulatory and internal investigations. We handle the most complicated and sophisticated legal matters because we don’t just meet industry standards, we create them. We bring innovation and entrepreneurialism to every engagement and, as a result, have long-standing client relationships with leading global corporations and financial sponsors. With 6,500 employees (including 3,500+ lawyers) operating from 19 offices across the United States, Europe and Asia, we are one of the largest law firms in the world and a top financial performer.

Essential Job Functions

The Benefits Specialist will primarily support the efficient administration of the firms medical and other health programs on a global basis. The position will also assist in administration of the Firm’s health and welfare benefits and, at times, our wellbeing programming. Primary responsibilities include analyzing, investigating, and resolving participant billing and coverage issues in collaboration insurance carriers and third-party administrators. This will involve effective communication with third-party administrators and insurers, evaluation and interpretation of medical policies and applicable regulations, and the ability to communicate effectively with attorneys and staff regarding the Firm’s medical benefits and global health programs. This role requires a results-driven professional who is highly organized, consistently delivers exceptional customer service, demonstrates keen attention to detail, is resourceful and creative in solving problems, and builds and maintains effective working relationships within and outside of the firm. This role requires both independent work and collaboration with others, high personal performance standards, and occasional overtime.

Essential Functions: 

• Partner with management and the Benefits team to establish and administer global health programs, including building effective working relationships with new vendors, establishing contracts and administrative procedures and controls, and tracking project progress during implementation.
• Clearly and accurately articulate benefit-related information both verbally and in written form. This includes translating insurance and medical industry terminology in a manner that is relatable to participants.
• Confidently embrace new challenges and take initiative in identifying and implementing process improvements. Provide accurate information and propose and execute effective solutions to problems.
• Engage in creative problem solving and escalate issues, as appropriate. 
• Maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive and confidential data, as well as knowledge of regulations applicable to the data being handled.
• Reconcile and process vendor and participant invoices.
• Create, draft, and edit summaries and communications to internal and external participants.
• Effectively track and report on the status of workload and produce high quality, accurate work in a timely manner
• Collaborate and develop strong interpersonal relationships both within and outside of the department.
• Provide exceptional, prompt service to attorneys and staff on all benefits related issues.
• Support department initiatives in collaboration with internal and external resources.

Other Functions: (This list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented and changed as necessary.)

• Assist with any other functions/duties/special projects as assigned by management.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education, Work Experience, Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience (6-8 years)
• Required
• Familiarity with U.S. health plans (some familiarity with global plans is strongly preferred), medical billing, and claims processing
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Keen judgment and problem-solving skills
• Organizational skills
• Acute attention to detail
• Responsiveness and dependability
• Preferred
• Group benefits administration and/or general human resources experience
• Experience interpreting regulations that apply to group medical policies

Technologies/Software

• Required
• Proficiency in Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Preferred
• Experience with PeopleSoft or other HRMS

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in Kirkland & Ellis LLP.  To complete an application and submit your resume, please click "Apply Now."

Equal Employment Opportunity

All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Closing Statement

The www.kirkland.com job postings and recruiting mailbox are for candidates only. If you are a recruiter, search firm or employment agency, and do not have a signed contract with Kirkland & Ellis LLP ("K&E") and have not been asked specifically to submit candidates, you will not be compensated in any way for your referral of a candidate even if K&E hires the candidate. Direct contact with K&E employees in an attempt to present candidates is inappropriate and will be a factor in determining any future professional relationship with the Firm. #LI-Hybrid #LI-LW2