Employee Benefits Specialist

This role oversees the full lifecycle of Benefits Administration and Payroll Operations for a multi‑state U.S. workforce and Canadian employees. It combines analytical expertise, regulatory compliance, vendor management, and employee support to ensure accurate payroll delivery and a competitive, compliant benefits program. The position serves as a primary liaison between employees, leadership, brokers, and payroll/benefits providers while maintaining strict confidentiality and operational excellence. Benefits Management Recommends benefits programs to management by studying employee requirements, trends and developments in benefits offered by other organizations. Supports management decision-making process by analyzing benefit options and predicting future cost. Identifies benefit options by studying programs and obtaining advice from consultants/brokers Working knowledge and ensures compliance with federal, state and local legal requirements by studying exiting laws and regulations and updates to legal requirements (ACA reporting/COBRA/HIPAA/ERISA/FMLA) Resolves employee questions and problems by interpreting benefit policies and procedures Design a competitive benefits package to include but not limited to Health Insurance Coverage, prescription drugs, 401k, vacation, holiday, wellness programs Manages existing disease management and wellness programs as well as analyze effectiveness of programs and research/recommend new initiatives. Collect, analyze and summarize reports on a monthly basis provided by medical programs – cost vs actual Reconcile all billing from all providers on a monthly basis Primary contact with Benefit consultants and plan providers to ensure efficient administration of benefit plans Audit and track all plans to ensure employees are in plans they elected, terminate employees from plans, manage eligibility of new hires via HRIS/Benefits System Manage Service Award Program Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops and reviewing professional publications; networking Payroll Management Process bi-weekly payroll for US (multi-state) and Canadian employees; directing the production and issuance of paychecks or electronic transfers to bank accounts Updates payroll records by reviewing and approving changes in exemptions, insurance coverage, savings deductions, job titles and department/division transfers Prepares reports by compiling summaries of earnings, taxes, deductions, leave, disability and nontaxable wages on a bi-weekly, quarterly and yearly basis; convey required reports to Accounting Balances the payroll accounts by resolving payroll discrepancies Complies with federal, state and local legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; advising management of needed actions Maintains payroll guidelines by writing and updating policies and procedures Maintains employee confidence and protects payroll operations by keeping information confidential. Maintain accurate employee files and electronic records via HRIS and Payroll System Review employee status changes, tax withholdings, benefits, direct deposits, etc. for accuracy via HRIS/Payroll System Support Managers and first-line supervisors in permanent employee on time and attendance records/reporting, paid time off, overtime and leave tracking Ensure state employee tax rates are communicated to HRIS/Payroll provider Ensure temporary employees time sheets are provided to vendor on a weekly basis Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; networking; professional organizations Perform other duties as assigned Skills And Abilities Ability to work with competing or quickly changing priorities Ability to work in self-directed manner Customer Service approach to employee, vendor and agency interactions Excellent communication skills, verbal and written Ability to meet individual goals while supporting individual business areas Strong sense of work ownership and accountability Ability to build and maintain positive relationships at all levels of the organization Ability to manage complex subjects and situations Strong commitment to confidentiality and professionalism at all times Ability to analyze and diagnose problems quickly while maintaining a solutions oriented approach #J-18808-Ljbffr