Senior Benefits Specialist

How you'll make an impact:

• Contact all newly eligible staff regarding their benefit options and enrollment time-frames.
• Responsible for calculating and updating benefit deduction payroll changes for processing.
• Ensure the accuracy of all benefits enrollments to provide vendors with accurate eligibility information.
• Administer all leave of absence programs; collaborates with the Finance department to ensure accurate employee pay as well as benefit premiums met while on leave; and maintains compliance with leave of absence and employment laws including interpreting the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
• Recommends revisions to company leave policies to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Work closely with internal teams on benefit requirements for leaves of absence requests and disability paperwork.
• Communicates with employees regarding their needs for leave and ensures they are aware of any documentation needed as well as their responsibilities while out (if leave is approved).
• Respond to benefit inquiries from managers and employees on plan provisions, benefits enrollments, status changes and other general inquiries.
• Subject matter expert in supporting the HR team and other business groups by answering questions, providing information, and completing analysis.
• Advises management when resolving benefits issues.
• Administer investment savings plans (e.g. 401K) and ensure proper enrollment and terminations occur from the plan and verify all compliance activities are completed, any issues are resolved, and all required reporting is completed.
• Respond to all investment savings plans (e.g. 401K) inquiries from managers and employees relating to enrollments, plan changes and contribution amounts.
• Regularly audits and performs quality checks to ensure the accuracy of all benefit related data in the HRIS, changes to personnel, provides vendors with accurate eligibility information, and provides necessary reports for allocation/billing charges
• Ensure data integrity by running and analyzing parallel reports
• Compare vendor invoices against internal reporting and resolve disputes.
• Ensure all compliance activities are completed, any issues are resolved, and all required reporting is completed, as well as compliance with all ERISA, ACA and DOL requirements.
• Use strong data analysis skills to identify and isolate any possible issues or opportunities for improvement, and drive the process to remediate the issue.
• Act as a liaison between outside administrators (broker, insurance carriers and voluntary benefit providers) and customers (HR, payroll, and employees) to ensure timely resolution of eligibility and claim disputes as well as effective administration of company plans.
• Building and maintaining relationships with brokers, plan providers, and HR Business Partners.
• Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously while working under pressure to meet deadlines. Requires strong analytical skills and a thorough knowledge of plan designs.
• Ensures benefit related processes and procedures are documented and up-to-date, seeks process improvement, where applicable, cross-trains with other benefit team members, as needed.
• Responsible for handling open enrollment including employee communications, and enrollment system administration in conjunction with brokers/plan providers.
• Work with carrier representatives to coordinate activity for a smooth implementation of new plans.
• Researches market trends for healthcare plans, including medical, dental, vision and disability insurance.
• Educate employees on available benefits options, including conducting informational sessions, and preparing communications materials.

What you'll bring to this role:

• Bachelor's degree in business, human resources (HR), human resource management or human resource administration or related field is preferred.
• CEBS designation is preferred through the International Foundation of Employee Benefits or Group Benefits Associate (GBA) or Retirement Plans Associate (RPA) designation.
• 5- 8 years of benefits/payroll administrator, benefits specialist or a similar type role.
• 3-5 years of experience in leave administration and retirement plan administration.
• Thorough understanding of federal and state regulations governing employee benefits, including ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, and COBRA.
• Expert knowledge in payroll/benefit regulations, retirement savings and insurance programs.
• Meticulous attention to detail and superior proofreading abilities.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to problem solve and identify process improvements.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with HR team, other departments, plan providers, vendors, brokers, and employees
• Authentic, effective, and professional communication style including the ability to communicate effectively in person and by email and phone
• Ability to use time effectively and efficiently while managing multiple priorities
• Technical competence using software programs, including, but not limited to, Google Suite for business (Sheets, Docs, Slides)
• Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy through ambiguous circumstances
• Entrepreneurial mindset and comfortable in a flat organization.