Benefits Specialist

Role Description

The Benefits Specialist is a strategic and operational role responsible for overseeing employee benefits programs as well as optimizing processes and company policy related to employee benefits. This position plays a critical role in enhancing the employee experience, driving cost-effective benefits strategy, and leading major initiatives such as plan design changes, carrier transitions, annual open enrollment and benefits plan compliance.

Workplace Location: This is a Remote position, however, candidates must live in either Florida or Colorado.

Key Responsibilities:

• Administer and manage employee benefits programs including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, and voluntary benefits.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefits inquiries, resolving issues related to eligibility, coverage, claims, and life event changes.
• Lead open enrollment efforts, including communication strategy, employee education, and HRIS updates.
• Maintain and audit benefits data in the HRIS to ensure accuracy, compliance, and a smooth employee experience.
• Proactively monitor benefits utilization and trends, identifying cost drivers and opportunities for savings.
• Evaluate benefit plan performance and partner with carriers, third-party administrators and ESL’s insurance broker to implement design enhancements or cost-containment measures.
• Implement benefit transitions such as plan design changes or carrier transitions, including project planning, vendor coordination, data analysis, employee communication, and utilization tracking.
• Produce and analyze HRIS reports to support benefits planning, compliance, and leadership decision-making.
• Continuously assess and improve benefits-related processes and workflows to drive efficiency and effectiveness.
• Collaborate with Finance and HR to forecast benefit-related costs and propose strategies that align with organizational goals and financial stewardship.
• Support carrier invoice payment processing and perform regular reconciliation of benefits costs against payroll deductions.
• Regularly reconcile payroll contributions to employee Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts and the Retirement Plan.
• Stay informed on relevant legislation and regulations (ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, ERISA) and apply industry best practices.
• Support annual compliance tasks, including retirement plan audit, annual filings and notices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Proven experience in benefits administration and HRIS management, preferably in healthcare or senior living environments.
• Experience supporting or leading significant benefit transitions strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of benefits regulations and compliance requirements.
• Proficiency with HRIS and benefits platforms (e.g., ADP, Paylocity, UKG).
• Strong analytical skills and ability to leverage data to drive strategic decisions.
• High attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and project management capabilities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a collaborative and employee-centered approach.
• Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion and integrity.

Benefits

• Full benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, STD/LTD, life and voluntary life.
• 401k with employer matching.
• Paid holidays.
• Up to 20 days PTO in the first three years.

Compensation

$75,000 - $83,000 annual salary, 10% bonus opportunity.

Application Deadline

We anticipate reviewing applications through July 30th, 2026.