HR Benefits Specialist

Your Role at a Glance As a Benefits Specialist, you will be responsible for managing and administering employee benefits programs within our organization. Reporting to the HR Manager, you will play a critical role in ensuring our employees understand and utilize their benefits effectively, while also staying up to date on industry trends and regulations to ensure compliance. In addition to core responsibilities, this role will support general HR operations focusing on employee lifecycle administration, documentation, employee education and project support. How You'll Drive Success Benefits Administration Administer all aspects of employee benefits programs, including health and vision insurance, dental insurance, flexible spending accounts (FSAs), and other voluntary and company paid benefits. Perform benefits administration, including claims resolution, change reporting, approval of invoices, and overall communication of benefits information to employees. Be the contact for employee benefits‑related inquiries, providing guidance and assistance as needed. Coordinate with benefits providers and brokers to resolve issues, process claims, and ensure timely enrollment and termination of benefits for eligible employees. Open Enrollment and Communication Plan and coordinate annual open enrollment activities, including preparing communication materials, conducting benefits presentations, and facilitating enrollment meetings. Collaborate with HR team members to develop and implement strategies for effectively communicating benefits information to employees. Respond to employee questions and concerns regarding benefits options, coverage, and eligibility changes. Leave of Absence Management Manage all aspects of employee leave of absences, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, maternity/paternity leave, personal leave, and other statutory or company‑provided leave programs. Serve as the primary point of contact for employees requesting leaves of absence, providing guidance on eligibility, requirements, and documentation. Track and monitor employee leave usage, ensuring accurate recording of leave balances and timely notification of return‑to‑work requirements. Work closely with payroll to ensure accurate and timely processing of leave‑related payroll adjustments, benefit contributions, and other administrative tasks. Compliance and Reporting Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and location regulations governing employee benefits programs, including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, and COBRA. Prepare and distribute required benefits notices, such as Summary Plan Descriptions, Summary of Benefits and Coverage documents, and annual reporting. Stay informed about changes in legislation and industry trends affecting employee benefits and recommend adjustments to benefit offerings or policies as necessary. Vendor Management and Negotiation Build and maintain relationships with benefits providers, brokers, and other vendors to negotiate competitive pricing and ensure quality service delivery. Review contracts and agreements to ensure compliance with service levels and performance standards. Monitor vendor performance and resolve any issues or discrepancies in a timely manner. Perform other related or unrelated duties as needed and assigned. General Human Resources Support Assist with employee activities including documentation, system updates and coordination with payroll. Assist with the preparation, maintenance and distribution of HR policies, procedures and employee communications. Develop and update employee facing resources, FAQs, and process documentation. Run standard HR reports and assist with data collection for compliance, audits and internal analysis. Support HR projects and initiatives or process improvement efforts. Provide backup coverage for routine HR administrative functions. Respond to general employee inquiries or route questions to the appropriate team member. Education Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field or equivalent experience required. SHRM-CP or PHR certifications preferred. Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) or Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) a plus. Required Skills 5+ years’ experience in benefits administration or a similar role, preferably within a corporate environment. Strong knowledge of employee benefits regulations and compliance requirements. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex benefits information to employees at all levels. Detail‑oriented with strong analytical and problem‑solving skills. Above average skills with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) and HRIS/benefits administration software. Ability to work independently, as well as within a team, to support the overall strategy and department goals. Ability to multi‑task and to manage several projects/tasks at once while projecting a positive outward demeanor. Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion. It is the policy of the company to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and employment applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin or any other classification protected by applicable local or state laws. EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled are encouraged to apply. We are an E-Verify Employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr