Optimal (formerly Effective Spend)
Optimal (formerly Effective Spend) Benefits Overview
Fresh fruit, snacks and plenty of fresh-ground premium coffee and loose leaf teas. Alternative work spaces including standing desks and quiet phone booths. Participation in social sports like volleyball, kickball and cornhole. Fun team outings and company-wide events throughout the year. Chess, foosball, and games in the office for a quick mental break. Awesome location on the east side, walkable to coffee shops, lunch spots, and happy hours. Generous PTO, plus extra PTO provided for volunteering. Company-organized volunteering events to help local non-profits in our community.
Compensation + Benefits
Offers 401(K)
Effective Spend provides both 401(K) and Roth IRA retirement plan options that offer premium funds and stocks for employees to choose from. Contributions are easily made through payroll direct deposit
Offers life insurance
Provides 401(K) matching
We match 100% of contributions up to 4% of an employee's gross annual pay. 401k contributions are seamlessly managed through payroll to make investing eas
Provides adoption assistance
We extend our maternity and paternity leave benefits to employees that have adopted a child.
Offers generous parental leave
Effective Spend offers paid maternity and paternity leave. Effective Spend also allows for a flexible schedule and return to work after parental leave.
Provides family medical leave
We support our employees with extra paid time off and continued health benefits coverage during a Family Medical Leave in addition to following all FMLA guidelines.
Provides a post-parental leave return-to-work program
Offers company equity
Profit sharing program for senior managers and leadership team.
Provides relocation assistance
We provide moving stipends to new employees to help cover moving expenses.
Offers performance bonuses
Effective Spend provides employees with an annual bonus that is determined based on three performance factors - individual contribution, client satisfaction and company performance.
Offers dental insurance
Effective Spend pays 50% of insurance premiums for both employees and their dependents.
Offers health insurance
Effective Spend pays 50% of insurance premiums for both employees and their dependents.
Offers mental health benefits
Our medical insurance plans include mental health services.
Offers Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Offers vision insurance
Effective Spend pays 50% of insurance premiums for both employees and their dependents.
Company Culture
Provides commuter benefits
We provide our employees with free on-site parking.
Office is pet friendly
Bring your dog to work and take breaks out in our courtyard.
Some meals provided
Effective Spend gives all office-based employees a $5 daily stipend for lunch. We have also set up delivery programs with Lunchdrop and Door Dash.
Provides onsite office parking
We provide our employees with free on-site parking.
Provides free snacks and drinks
Unlimited snacks: fresh fruit, nuts, trail mixes, granola bars, chips, crackers and more. Our beverage bar includes fresh-ground & cold brew coffee, loose leaf teas, sodas/sparkling water. Beer & wine
Utilizes a flexible work schedule
Some folks are just early birds. Employees that like to get started early and get done early can shift their morning schedule to start at 7am.
Offers a remote work program
We have fully remote work options available, as well as hybrid work options for those that enjoy a mix of in-office and at-home work.
Has a highly diverse management team
50% of Effective Spend's management team is made up of women. The company has maintained or exceeded this percentage throughout its entire 10+ years in business.
Hiring practices promote diversity
We use applicant software in our recruiting process to ensure equal consideration for all candidates. Additionally, we partner with NEW Apprenticeship to help ensure a diverse pool of candidates.
Mean gender pay gap is below 10%
Utilizes an open door policy that encourages accessibility
Implements team-based strategic planning
Open office floor plan to encourage communication and collaboration
Uses an OKR operational model to clearly define goals and priorities
Work-Life Balance + Wellbeing
Offers company-sponsored outings
Effective Spend 2 company-wide events per year - a winter "New Year" party and a Summer Fun party. In addition, our team Directors treat their teams to an off-site social outing each quarter.
Offers company-sponsored happy hours
Team directors plan team happy hours to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries or just because. We often have impromptu Friday happy hours that all are welcome to attend.
Offers team workouts
Team yoga classes have been offered virtually and on site.
Provides opportunities to volunteer in the local community
Our company organizes team volunteering days several times a year. We have volunteered with CTX Food Bank, Keep Austin Beautiful, Austin Animal Center, Urban Roots Farm and Bastrop Pig Rescue.
Provides recreational clubs
Effective Spend sponsors sports leagues for our employees to participate in year-round, including volleyball, kickball, soccer, cornhole, bowling, etc.
Offers paid volunteer time
In addition to providing paid volunteer time off, we also help organize volunteering opportunities of our employees multiple times per year.
Provides paid sick days
Provides paid holidays
Career Growth + Development
Provides customized development tracks
Promote from within
Job training & conferences
We train entry-level employees from the ground up. We also send our employees the top industry conferences and also encourage them to research and suggest other training courses we pay for.
Provides paid industry certifications
We cover the cost of certifications that our employees use in their role.
Allows employees to pursue continuing education during work hours
Provides online course subscriptions
Hosts Lunch and Learns
Effective Spend facilitates a culture of Knowledge Philanthropy. One of the ways we do this is through ongoing trainings presented by Effective Spend employees throughout the year.
