Senior Benefits Specialist

Overview

A large, multi-site organization based in New York City is seeking a Senior Benefits Specialist to provide analytical, technical, and consultative support across the organization. This role ensures accurate benefits and compensation administration, HRIS data integrity, regulatory compliance, and timely issue resolution. The Senior Benefits Specialist serves as a primary point of contact for benefits, compensation, HRIS reporting, and onboarding-related processes, and works closely with senior HR leadership on annual cycles, audits, and cross-functional initiatives. This position includes oversight responsibility for one HR Coordinator.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer and optimize the HRIS, including HR and benefits modules, and provide guidance to HR staff and stakeholders across multiple locations
• Create, maintain, and distribute standard and ad hoc reports; develop and update system procedures and documentation; support HR and payroll system testing and implementations
• Deliver system training to users at all levels of the organization
• Serve as the primary point of contact for health and welfare benefit programs, including eligibility, plan administration, and Affordable Care Act compliance
• Manage vendor and insurance carrier file feeds, enrollments, reconciliations, and ensure timely COBRA notifications
• Respond to benefit inquiries from active employees, retirees, and COBRA participants
• Administer and monitor all leave programs, including FMLA, disability, paid family leave, prenatal, medical, and personal leaves, ensuring accurate tracking and regulatory compliance
• Oversee PTO accruals within the HRIS, providing guidance on eligibility criteria and calculation methodology
• Partner with senior HR leadership to support annual open enrollment, including employee communications, system configuration, testing, and implementation
• Support retirement plan administration through data reconciliation, audits, and responding to participant questions
• Assist with salary administration processes, including job grading, compensation inquiries, and annual exempt and non-exempt compensation cycles
• Compile, analyze, and present compensation and workforce data for leadership review
• Administer incentive pay programs by monitoring eligibility, communicating with employees, and ensuring timely and accurate payments
• Manage qualified domestic relations orders, qualified medical orders, unemployment insurance questionnaires, and employment verifications
• Support compliance reporting, workforce analytics, headcount reporting, and other special or ad hoc projects
• Supervise one HR Coordinator, providing guidance, coaching, and performance management