Benefits Specialist - Advocate [Christy Industrial Holdings]

POSITION SUMMARY
Are you passionate about helping people understand and make the most of their benefits? Our Employee Benefits Advocate will be a key resource for employees, answering questions, supporting enrollments, and coordinating with our vendors to ensure a smooth benefits experience. This is a full-time, on-site role based in our office, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

POSITION DETAILS

• Serve as a first point of contact for employee benefits questions, helping team members understand eligibility, coverage, and how to use their plans.

• Support benefit enrollments (new hires, life events, annual open enrollment), COBRA notifications, and terminations with guidance from senior staff and vendors.

• Coordinate with carriers, vendors, and payroll to resolve routine benefits issues and ensure accurate, timely data and changes.

• Meet with employees one-on-one and in small groups, educating them about benefit programs and how to maximize them.

• Assist with auditing benefit invoices and data reports to help identify discrepancies or potential cost savings opportunities.

• Maintain and update benefits materials, intranet content, and employee resources to keep information accurate, clear, and easy to understand.

• Support compliance and reporting needs by helping prepare documentation and ensuring deadlines are met in partnership with finance/HR.

• Pitch in on other benefits- or HR-related projects as needed as the company and programs continue to grow and evolve.

Schedule

• Full-time, salaried position based in our office, Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Though this is an in-office role, we can work remotely from time to time. There is occasional travel in the St. Louis metro area, as well as 1-2 annual visits to our other locations to support Benefit Open Enrollment.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Strong communication skills and genuine empathy; you enjoy listening, explaining, and providing solutions to people who need help.

• Ability to build trust quickly and maintain confidentiality in sensitive employee conversations.

• Solid organizational and time-management skills; you can juggle multiple requests and follow through reliably.

• Comfort working with data, forms, and details, plus the ability to spot inconsistencies or errors.

• One or more of the following is preferred (but not required):

  • 1+ year of experience in benefits, HR, payroll, or a related customer-service role.

  • Bachelor's degree in human resources, business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

  • Familiarity with benefits concepts (medical, dental, vision, HSA, 401(k), life and disability).

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook); experience with UKG Ready/Inova or other HRIS/payroll systems is a plus.

Who Thrives Here

• You are passionate about helping and educating others and enjoy being the "go-to" person for questions.

• You are curious, eager to learn more about benefits and HR, and open to ongoing training and development.

• You can work independently, yet collaborate well with finance, HR, and leaders across the organization.

Christy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, or disability. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.

Drug Screen & Background Check Disclaimer

All offers of employment with any Christy company are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and, when applicable, a drug screen. Background checks are conducted on all final candidates and may also be conducted for employees being promoted or transferred, as deemed necessary. These checks can include: references, SS verification, criminal history, drug screen, and a breath and alcohol test.

Drug Screen & Background Check Disclaimer

All offers of employment with any Christy company are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and, when applicable, a drug screen. Background checks are conducted on all final candidates and may also be conducted for employees being promoted or transferred, as deemed necessary.

Background checks may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Social Security verification: Confirms the applicant's Social Security number, date of birth, and prior addresses.

• Criminal history: Reviews up to seven years of criminal convictions and probation records, where permitted by law. When evaluating criminal history, Christy will consider:

  • The nature and seriousness of the offense and its relevance to the position.

  • The time elapsed since the offense or completion of sentence.

  • The number of offenses.

  • Whether hiring, transferring, or promoting the individual would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees, customers, or vendors.

  
  
  
  
  

• Drug screen: Christy is a drug- and alcohol-free workplace and maintains a testing program consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. Following a conditional offer of employment, candidates will be required to complete and pass a pre-employment drug test as a condition of employment.

Additional background-related evaluations may be required based on the position:

• Essential Functions Test: Assesses functional and physical capabilities to determine whether the candidate can perform essential job duties, with or without reasonable accommodation. Candidates may also receive guidance on safe body mechanics, lifting techniques, and posture for daily tasks.

• Personal and professional references: Reference checks may be conducted, typically via virtual or email outreach to individuals listed by the applicant.

All background check and related evaluation information will be maintained in a file separate from employees' personnel files.

Christy reserves the right to modify this policy at any time, with or without notice.