Benefits Specialist

Benefits SpecialistHuman Resources has an opening for a Benefits Specialist. This role serves as the organizational subject-matter expert for the administration, compliance, and continuous improvement of employee and retiree benefits programs. Oversees day-to-day administration of the full benefits portfolio and provides consultative guidance to management on existing and proposed benefits programs, policies, vendor matters, and service-delivery improvements. Leads or coordinates complex, institutionally significant benefits projects, audits, reporting, communications, and training initiatives. Works under consultative direction, exercising substantial independent judgment on complex and non-routine matters. This position reports to the Benefits Group Leader.Work arrangements may be flexible depending on applicant qualifications and business need. This may include regional pay considerations if applicable.You will:Oversee and coordinate the day-to-day administration of all employee and retiree benefits programs.Interpret, communicate, review, and maintain plan documents, summary plan descriptions, policies, benefits contracts, and related governing materials in accordance with applicable federal and state requirements.Provide guidance to employees, retirees, dependents, benefits staff, and management on complex benefits matters.Resolve escalated issues and recommend appropriate courses of action when policies or procedures do not directly address the circumstances.Consult with management regarding existing and proposed institution-wide benefits programs, policies, procedures, service models, and vendor issues.Lead or coordinate complex benefits projects, including implementation planning, requirements development, stakeholder coordination, schedules, risk identification, and post-implementation review.Conduct and oversee audits, data reconciliations, enrollment reviews, compliance testing, and legally or contractually required reporting, review results, and recommend corrective actions to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, plan documents, and contracts.Develop and oversee training, orientation, workshops, and employee communications related to benefits programs and changes.Recommend enhancements to benefits programs, policies, systems, processes, and service-delivery models.Represent the Benefits Office on committees, task forces, cross-functional initiatives, and track action items through completion.Serve as a technical lead by providing work direction, mentoring, technical guidance, and quality review for benefits staff.Partner with legal counsel, consultants, actuaries, third-party administrators, carriers, and vendors on complex or institutionally significant matters.Perform other duties as assigned.QualificationsBachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Management, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and related experience.Significant experience administering complex employee and retiree benefits programs across health and welfare, defined contribution, defined benefit, disability, and savings plans.Recognized expertise in benefits administration, plan operations, compliance, systems, and regulatory requirements.Demonstrated experience leading or coordinating complex benefits implementations, audits, compliance activities, reporting initiatives, or process improvements.Demonstrated ability to consult with management and develop recommendations affecting benefits programs, policies, procedures, vendors, or service delivery.Demonstrated ability to analyze complex data, direct research, review results, and perform final quality checks.Demonstrated ability to work independently under consultative direction and exercise sound judgment on complex, non-routine assignments.Experience providing technical direction, mentoring, or work coordination to other benefits professionals.Strong project-management, analytical, communication, presentation, and decision-making skills.Ability to interpret and apply plan documents, summary plan descriptions, policies, contracts, ERISA, IRS requirements, and other applicable laws and regulations.Proficiency with business software and benefits-related systems, including Microsoft Office applications.Qualifications we desire:Experience with Oracle HCM.Professional certifications.Pay Range: $96,576 - $168,852 Annually for the H01.4 levelThis is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.