Benefits Specialist

Job Description: Benefits Specialist

Job Title: Benefits Specialist

Location: Onsite – Ladera Ranch, CA 92694

Reports To: Director, HR Operations & Total Rewards

Department: Human Resources

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Job Purpose

ALKEME Insurance is a rapidly growing, nationally recognized insurance brokerage with more than 1,300 employees across 80+ agencies nationwide—and continuing to expand. Guided by our mission to empower growth and redefine insurance through innovative solutions, trusted partnerships, and a collaborative culture where everyone thrives, we are building the agency of the future. Our vision brings people and technology together to transform the insurance experience and create lasting impact. At ALKEME, opportunity drives everything we do.

As ALKEME continues to scale nationally, we are seeking a detail-oriented and service-driven Benefits Specialist to support the day-to-day administration of the company’s employee benefits programs. This role ensures accuracy, compliance, and a positive employee experience across all health, welfare, and retirement programs.

The Benefits Specialist plays a critical role in Open Enrollment execution, vendor coordination, escalations management, billing reconciliations, and regulatory compliance. This position partners closely with Payroll, HR Operations, brokers, and external carriers to maintain operational excellence and scalable processes.

Key Responsibilities

1. Open Enrollment Management

• Administer Support annual Open Enrollment planning and execution.
• Develop and distribute employee communications and educational materials.
• Coordinate system configuration and testing in HRIS and carrier portals.
• Conduct employee meetings, webinars, and Q&A sessions.
• Monitor enrollment progress and troubleshoot issues in real time.
• Audit final enrollment data for accuracy before submission to carriers.

2. Escalations & Issue Resolution

• Serve as point of contact for complex benefits issues and carrier escalations.
• Investigate claim denials, billing discrepancies, and eligibility disputes.
• Partner with vendors and brokers to resolve service issues.
• Track recurring problems and recommend process improvements.
• Maintain detailed documentation of escalations and resolutions.

3. Reconciliations & Billing

• Perform monthly carrier invoice reconciliations.
• Audit payroll deductions against carrier billing statements.
• Identify discrepancies and coordinate corrections.
• Ensure accurate benefit deductions and employer contributions.
• Partner with Payroll to resolve variances.

4. Compliance reporting portal

• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations (ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, Section 125).
• Support preparation and distribution of required notices (SBCs, 1095-C, etc.).
• Maintain plan documents and Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs).
• Prepare benefits reporting and metrics for leadership review.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• 4+ years of progressive HR experience, preferably in a multi-site or field-based environment.
• Strong background in employee relations, compliance, and HR operations.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field; or equivalent years of progressive benefits experience.
• 3+ years of benefits administration experience with strong knowledge of health and welfare plans.
• 3+ years of 401(k) administration experience.
• Experience supporting Open Enrollment and working with benefits brokers and carriers.
• Advanced Excel skills for billing reconciliations and data analysis.
• Familiarity with Paycor and benefits administration systems preferred.

Working Conditions

• This role requires regular travel within the assigned region (up to 25%).
• Work is primarily remote or field-based, with occasional visits to corporate offices or acquisition sites.