Senior Benefits Specialist

The Senior Benefits Specialist is responsible for the administration, compliance, and continuous improvement of the Company's employee benefits programs. This role serves as a subject matter expert for health and welfare plans, retirement programs, leave administration, and employee benefits compliance. The Senior Benefits Specialist partners closely with Human Resources, Payroll, vendors, and employees to ensure accurate administration, exceptional employee support, and regulatory compliance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Benefits Administration

• Administer employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), and voluntary benefits.
• Manage employee enrollments, qualifying life events, status changes, and terminations.
• Maintain accurate benefit records within HRIS and payroll systems.
• Conduct regular audits and reconciliations to ensure accurate benefit deductions and carrier billing.

Retirement Plan Administration

• Administer the Company's 401(k) and Deferred Compensation plans.
• Coordinate eligibility, enrollments, loan requests, distributions, and annual compliance testing.
• Partner with recordkeepers, advisors, and payroll to ensure accurate employee and employer contributions.
• Assist with annual audits and regulatory reporting requirements.

Leave Administration

• Serve as a primary point of contact for leave-related inquiries.
• Coordinate FMLA, ADA accommodations, state leave programs, short-term disability, long-term disability, and workers' compensation benefits.
• Partner with leave vendors and internal stakeholders to ensure timely and compliant case management.

Compliance and Reporting

• Support compliance with ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, and other applicable federal and state regulations.
• Assist with preparation of Form 5500 filings, nondiscrimination testing, and annual audits.
• Prepare and analyze benefits reports, metrics, and workforce data.
• Monitor regulatory changes and recommend process improvements.

Open Enrollment and Employee Communication

• Lead annual Open Enrollment activities, including employee communications, system testing, and vendor coordination.
• Develop and maintain benefit education materials and employee resources.
• Conduct employee meetings and benefits presentations.

Vendor Management

• Maintain relationships with brokers, carriers, retirement plan providers, and third-party administrators.
• Assist with vendor performance reviews, renewals, and implementation projects.
• Support annual benefits renewal and budgeting activities.

Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, employee experience, and data integrity.
• Participate in HRIS upgrades, implementations, and benefits-related projects.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and process documentation.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related field preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 7-10 years of benefits administration experience.
• Experience administering health and welfare plans, retirement plans, and leave programs.
• Experience supporting a multi-state workforce.
• Experience with HRIS and payroll systems, preferably UKG Pro.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong knowledge of ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, and retirement plan administration.
• Advanced Excel and reporting skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining confidentiality and accuracy.

Preferred Qualifications

• CEBS, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification.
• Experience supporting organizations with 1,000+ employees.
• Experience with vendor management and benefits renewals.
• Experience with UKG Pro and benefits administration systems.