Senior Benefits Specialist

Job Title: Senior Benefits Specialist

Location: Houston, TX

Pay: $50 - $60 / year

Benefits: This role is eligible for medical and dental.

Type: Contract role

Job Summary:

Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Benefits Specialist to manage and support the administration of employee benefits programs, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and an exceptional employee experience. The ideal candidate will have deep knowledge of benefits administration, open enrollment processes, retirement plans, and HR systems, with strong analytical and Excel skills. Experience with ADP Workforce Now is strongly preferred.

Key Responsibilities:

• Administer and manage employee benefits programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, FSA/HSA, COBRA, wellness initiatives, and leave programs.
• Lead and coordinate annual open enrollment activities, including employee communications, system testing, vendor coordination, and issue resolution.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for 401(k) and retirement programs, including employee education, enrollments, compliance support, and vendor partnership management.
• Support retirement planning initiatives and assist employees with benefit-related questions and guidance.
• Maintain accurate employee benefits data within HRIS systems and ensure data integrity across platforms.
• Utilize advanced Excel skills to analyze benefits data, prepare reports, conduct audits, and identify trends.
• Partner with payroll, HR, and external vendors to ensure accurate deductions, eligibility, and timely processing of benefit changes.
• Assist with compliance activities related to ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and other applicable federal and state regulations.
• Research and resolve complex employee benefit issues in a timely and professional manner.
• Support benefits reconciliations, audits, and year-end reporting activities.
• Recommend process improvements to enhance efficiency and employee experience.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred, but not required.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive benefits administration experience required.
• Strong experience managing open enrollment processes and employee benefits programs.
• Hands-on experience with 401(k) administration and retirement planning support required.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills required, including VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, pivot tables, reporting, and data analysis.
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now strongly preferred.
• Payroll knowledge and exposure to payroll processes is a plus.
• Strong understanding of benefits compliance regulations and best practices.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and customer service abilities with the ability to handle confidential information professionally.