Benefits Specialist (Health & Welfare & Retirement)

Employee Benefits Manager

Pay Rate: $60 - $75 per hour

Location: New York, NY

Duration: 12 Months

Responsibilities:

• Manage day-to-day employee benefit cases across Health & Welfare plans (medical, dental, vision, etc.) and Retirement plans (401(k), pension, Deferred Compensation Plans – basic to intermediate level).
• Research, track, and resolve cases efficiently and accurately.
• Escalate complex or sensitive issues to senior team members as needed.
• Support benefits administration activities and interpret benefit plans.
• Maintain complete and accurate case documentation in system tools.
• Respond to employee inquiries with professionalism and a strong customer focus.
• Communicate clearly regarding benefit options, processes, and next steps.
• Partner with team members to reduce case backlog and improve turnaround times.
• Collaborate with HR, legal, and payroll stakeholders to support effective handling of cases.
• Utilize HRIS and case management tools (e.g., Dovetail or similar systems).
• Identify and communicate recurring issues or process gaps.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience in employee benefits required, including Health & Welfare and/or Retirement plans.
• Demonstrated ability to manage benefit-related cases in a high-volume environment.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to quickly learn internal systems.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with both Health & Welfare and Retirement plans.
• Familiarity with 401(k), pension, or deferred compensation plans.
• Experience in benefits administration or HR shared services.
• Experience using case management systems.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Clear and professional communication.
• Customer-focused mindset.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong time management and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
• Team-oriented with a willingness to support across functions.