Benefits Specialist

Key Responsibilities

• Administer employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, voluntary benefits, wellness programs, paid time off, and leave programs for a multi-state workforce.
• Serve as the primary administrator for the Company's 401(k) retirement plan, including employee enrollments, eligibility, payroll contribution processing, loans, distributions, annual audits, compliance testing, vendor coordination, employee education, and regulatory reporting.
• Ensure benefits programs comply with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, and applicable state leave laws.
• Partner with brokers, carriers, third-party administrators, Payroll, Finance, and HR Operations to support benefit plan administration, billing reconciliation, vendor management, compliance activities, and employee communications.
• Cook up annual open enrollment activities, including HRIS configuration, employee communications, benefit elections, reconciliation, training, and ongoing employee support.
• Cook up leave of absence and accommodation programs, ensuring accurate and compliant administration across multiple states.
• Respond to employee and manager benefit inquiries and resolve complex benefits issues with a high level of customer service.
• Maintain benefit records, plan documents, employee communications, required notices, and compliance documentation.
• Support internal and external audits, benefits reporting, and ongoing process improvement initiatives.
• Aid with compensation administration, market benchmarking, reporting, and other Human Resources projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3-5 years of progressive benefits administration experience supporting a multi-state workforce.
• Demonstrated experience administering 401(k) retirement plans, including payroll coordination, compliance, employee support, and vendor management.
• Strong knowledge of ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, and state leave regulations.
• Experience working with HRIS, payroll, and benefits administration systems.
• Excellent communication, organizational, analytical, and customer service skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and confidentiality.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), Certified Benefits Professional (CBP), SHRM-CP, PHR, or similar certification.
• Experience supporting complex state leave programs (CA, NY, IL, CO, WA, HI, etc.).
• Experience with Employee Navigator or similar benefits administration platforms.
• Experience supporting compensation administration or HR analytics.