Senior Benefits Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Benefits Administration

· Administer internal employee and associate benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, voluntary benefits, HSA, and other company-sponsored programs.

· Manage benefit eligibility, enrollment, qualifying life events, status changes, terminations, and reinstatements.

· Maintain accurate benefits records within the HRIS, benefits administration system, and carrier/vendor platforms.

· Reconcile benefit elections, eligibility files, invoices, and carrier records to identify and resolve discrepancies.

· Serve as a primary point of contact for internal employees, field associates, managers, and HR teams regarding benefits questions and issues.

· Partner with Payroll and HR to ensure accurate deductions, eligibility dates, and benefit changes.

Leave of Absence (LOA) Administration

· Manage the end-to-end administration of leaves of absence for internal employees and staffing associates.

· Coordinate FMLA, ADA-related leave/accommodation processes, state and local protected leaves, personal leaves, military leave, and other applicable leave programs.

· Track leave eligibility, certifications, deadlines, leave balances, expected return-to-work dates, and required documentation.

· Coordinate with employees, associates, managers, HR, payroll, benefits carriers, and third-party leave administrators as applicable.

· Ensure appropriate benefit continuation and premium collection during periods of leave.

· Maintain confidential and accurate leave records and documentation.

· Support the interactive process and coordinate with HR regarding accommodations when applicable.

Open Enrollment

· Lead and coordinate the annual open enrollment process for both internal employees and associates.

· Develop and distribute enrollment communications, educational materials, benefit guides, and deadlines.

· Partner with brokers, carriers, HR, Payroll, Finance, and benefits technology vendors to ensure a successful enrollment.

· Review enrollment files and conduct post-enrollment audits to ensure accurate elections and deductions.

· Assist with resolving enrollment issues and carrier discrepancies following open enrollment.

COBRA Administration

· Manage and/or oversee COBRA administration for eligible employees and associates.

· Coordinate qualifying event information and ensure timely transmission of COBRA information to the applicable administrator.

· Maintain appropriate documentation and records related to COBRA administration.

ACA Compliance

· Partner with Payroll, HRIS, Finance, and benefits vendors to ensure accurate ACA data.

· Support preparation, review, and distribution of applicable ACA forms and filings, including Forms 1094-C and 1095-C.

· Reconcile ACA data and investigate discrepancies prior to filing.

· Stay current on changes to federal, state, and local benefits and ACA requirements.

Broker & Vendor Management

· Serve as a primary contact for benefits brokers, carriers, third-party administrators, and benefits vendors.

· Assist with annual renewals, plan changes, pricing discussions, and benefit program evaluations.

· Coordinate implementation of new benefit plans, carriers, vendors, and technology platforms.

· Review carrier invoices and eligibility reports for accuracy.

Compliance & Risk Management

· Maintain compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment and benefits regulations.

· Monitor regulatory changes impacting benefits, leave, ACA, COBRA, and employee eligibility.

· Support internal and external audits and respond to requests for benefits-related documentation.

· Identify compliance risks and recommend process improvements.

· Maintain strict confidentiality of employee and associate personal, medical, payroll, and benefits information.

Qualifications

· Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.

· 4+ years of progressive experience in benefits administration, HR, or a related discipline; staffing industry experience preferred.

· Experience administering benefits for a high-volume employee population.

· Strong knowledge of employee benefits, LOA administration (FMLA, ADA, PDL, etc..), COBRA, ACA, and benefit compliance.