Benefits Specialist

About This Role

This Benefits Specialist role administers employee benefit programs, including pension, retirement, health, medical, education, and life insurance benefits. The position ensures proper communication to employees, acts as a liaison with plan administrators, and manages invoicing and payments.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary contact for plan vendors and third-party administrators, ensuring smooth plan operation and investigating discrepancies.
• Develop, evaluate, and recommend changes to internal processes for customer service, cost reduction, and efficiency.
• Work with vendors and third-party administrators to ensure timeliness and accuracy of required filings.
• Coordinate daily benefit processing including enrollments, COBRA, terminations, changes, beneficiaries, and various claims.
• Manage all leave requests, including STD, FMLA, PFL, bonding, and Workers Compensation, ensuring proper follow-up and payment.
• Oversee maintenance of employee benefit files.
• Gather employee data and process monthly billings and prepare payment vouchers for group plans.
• Implement and maintain Group Benefits databases and update information in Workday systems, preparing regular benefit reports.
• Develop and maintain online forms for benefit enrollment, HR status changes, and retirement quotations.
• Provide exceptional customer service support to internal and external customers, following up on all communications.
• Work with vendors and internal marketing to develop communication tools for benefits and wellness programs.
• Prepare and distribute materials for benefit orientations, open enrollment, and summary plan descriptions.
• Create and conduct presentations using audiovisual tools like PowerPoint.

Requirements

• 2-7 years in progressive benefits roles (customer service, open enrollment, leave management, plan administration, employee communication)
• Working proficiency in Excel
• Knowledge of benefit contract language
• Knowledge of all pertinent federal and state regulations (ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, SECTION 125, Workers Compensation, Medicare, OBRA, Social Security, DOL)

Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree in Human Resources or related field preferred
• 2-7 years in progressive benefits roles including customer service, open enrollment, leave management, plan administration and employee communication

Nice to Have

• Experience with union and collective bargaining agreements
• Experience with Workday and PowerPoint

Skills

* Required skills