Benefits Consultant

The Midtown Group is seeking a Lead Benefits Analyst of Health Strategy to join the team of our transportation client that is based Philadelphia. This is a long-term assignment that is 100% remote and expected to last at least 12 months and come with two, 1-year renewals based on individual performance and business needs.

** Please note, benefits consulting experience with large enterprises is a hard requirement for this role. **

About the Role

The Lead Benefits Analyst (Health Strategy) is a critical analytical and strategic contributor to the organization's team, driving insights that shape the design, performance, and long-term direction of our health and wellbeing programs. Reporting to the Senior Benefits Manager, Health Strategy, this role blends deep data fluency, vendor performance evaluation, and market intelligence to inform decisions that improve employee experience, clinical outcomes, and cost efficiency across our health plans.

The ideal candidate is a systems thinker who can translate complex data into clear recommendations, anticipate emerging trends, and partner closely with Benefits leadership to architect a modern, high-performing health strategy while also serving as a key contributor to governance, communications, and cross-functional benefits initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Health Strategy & Plan Design

• Analyze benefits data from the data warehouse, financial reports, and claims data to surface strategic insights, monitor program performance, and support projections and forecasting
• Develop recommendations for annual and multi-year health strategy, including plan design changes, clinical program investments, and population health initiatives
• Support modeling of plan design scenarios, contribution strategies, and cost projections to inform executive decision-making
• Evaluate emerging health solutions and digital care models; prepare strategic assessments and business cases for leadership review
• Conduct ongoing benchmarking to ensure Amtrak's benefits offerings remain competitive within the marketplace

Vendor Performance & Clinical Outcomes

• Lead strategic vendor management activities including evaluating potential partners, supporting contract negotiations, and maintaining productive relationships with existing vendors to ensure optimal value
• Support quarterly and annual vendor reviews, synthesizing clinical, financial, and operational metrics into actionable insights
• Partner with vendors to refine performance guarantees, quality metrics, and reporting frameworks
• Monitor clinical program outcomes (e.g., chronic condition management, musculoskeletal, behavioral health) and identify opportunities to improve engagement and ROI
• Meet with new and prospective partners to understand the evolving marketplace and assess strategic fit

Data Analytics & Insights

• Develop and manage dashboards, scorecards, and analytic tools that track plan performance, trend drivers, population health indicators, and point solution ROI
• Translate complex data into clear, compelling narratives for leadership, HR partners, and cross-functional stakeholders
• Ensure data integrity across eligibility, claims, and vendor reporting sources

Governance & Compliance

• Support development of materials for leadership and governance meetings, including Union Trustee benefit meetings and the Management Benefits Governance Committee
• Support compliance with ERISA, ACA, MHPAEA, and other regulatory requirements by ensuring accurate reporting and documentation
• Contribute to benefits governance processes, including audit readiness, documentation standards, and risk mitigation strategies

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Collaborate with external consultants on pricing analyses, contribution strategy, and plan design to inform data-driven decision-making
• Partner with internal communications resources to develop and execute employee benefits communications that drive engagement and awareness
• Collaborate with Finance, HRIS, Payroll, and Total Rewards to align health strategy with broader organizational goals
• Integrate wellness strategy with broader benefits strategy to support a cohesive and effective total rewards approach
• Serve as a strategic escalation partner for complex employee health plan issues, ensuring resolution and identifying root-cause trends

Project Management

• Manage cross-functional projects across all areas of benefits strategy, ensuring initiatives are delivered on time and aligned with organizational goals

Qualifications

• 4–7+ years of experience in health and welfare benefits, actuarial/underwriting, consulting, or health plan analytics
• Strong command of medical and pharmacy claims analytics, cost modeling, and vendor performance evaluation
• Experience with self-insured health plans and multi-vendor ecosystems
• Proficiency with data tools (e.g., Excel, Tableau/Power BI, SQL, etc.)
• Ability to synthesize complex information into clear, actionable recommendations
• Strong communication and influencing skills with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels
• Curiosity, systems thinking, and a proactive approach to identifying opportunities for improvement

What This Role Is Not

• Not a transactional benefits administration role
• Not focused on day-to-day vendor issue triage or routine employee support
• Not limited to reporting; this role is expected to interpret, recommend, and shape strategy.

Competitive pay rate dependent on experience. Exploratory calls welcome. No third parties, please.