Benefits Specialist

About Us

Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: GPI) is a Fortune 250 leader in global automotive retail, operating more than 250 dealerships and collision centers across the United States and United Kingdom. As the 4th largest dealership group in the U.S., Group 1 delivers a fully integrated automotive experience, including vehicle sales, financing, after‑sales service, and digital retail solutions. The company invests in people, technology, and operational excellence to shape the future of the automotive industry. Core values: integrity, transparency, professionalism, teamwork, and respect.

Overview

Group 1 Automotive is seeking a Benefits Specialist to join the Corporate People Operations team. The role administers employee benefits programs, supports employees throughout the benefits lifecycle, ensures accuracy and compliance, resolves issues, and delivers a positive employee experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary resource for employees regarding benefit eligibility, enrollment, coverage, qualifying life events, and general benefit questions; provide clear, accurate, and timely guidance with a high level of customer service.
• Manage the benefits inbox, research employee inquiries, identify issues, coordinate resolutions, and ensure appropriate follow‑up.
• Resolve new‑hire enrollment issues and benefit discrepancies, partnering with employees, vendors, and internal teams as needed.
• Advise employees on qualifying life events and ensure required changes and documentation are completed within established timelines.
• Administer Qualified Medical Child Support Orders (QMCSOs) from receipt through completion, ensuring accurate and timely processing.
• Support all phases of annual Open Enrollment, including preparation, employee communications, enrollment support, issue resolution, and post‑enrollment validation.
• Conduct benefits testing related to Open Enrollment, system changes, integrations, and other initiatives; document testing results, errors, and required corrections; coordinate retesting through resolution.
• Review weekly and monthly benefits reports to identify errors, discrepancies, trends, and required corrections.
• Research and resolve benefit enrollment errors, leave‑related benefit errors, incorrect deductions, reimbursements, and unpaid premiums.
• Review benefits integrations and audit reports to identify data or processing issues.
• Perform routine audits and reconciliations to maintain the integrity of benefits information across HRIS, Payroll, and vendor systems.
• Analyze recurring errors to identify root causes rather than addressing individual transactions alone.
• Escalate complex or high‑risk issues appropriately while maintaining ownership through resolution.
• Identify opportunities to reduce manual work and improve existing benefits processes.
• Support benefits‑related system testing, implementations, audits, and special projects.
• Demonstrate curiosity and a willingness to learn new benefits programs, systems, regulations, and processes.
• Partner with Payroll to research and resolve benefit deductions, reimbursements, and benefit‑related pay discrepancies.
• Work with insurance carriers and benefits vendors to resolve enrollment, eligibility, coverage, and administrative issues.
• Collaborate with People Operations, Payroll, Leave Administration, HRIS, and other internal partners to resolve employee issues.
• Track outstanding issues and ensure employees and stakeholders receive timely updates through resolution.
• Support employee wellness and engagement initiatives as needed.
• Perform additional responsibilities and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of hands‑on employee benefits administration experience.
• Experience with general health and welfare benefits administration, including employee enrollment and eligibility.
• Hands‑on experience supporting annual Open Enrollment.
• Experience performing benefits testing and validating enrollment or system changes.
• Experience processing Qualified Medical Child Support Orders (QMCSOs).
• Experience communicating directly with employees and explaining benefits information clearly.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Comfortable learning and working within multiple systems and technology platforms.
• Ability to manage a high‑volume inbox, competing priorities, and deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion with sensitive employee information.
• Demonstrated curiosity and willingness to learn new programs, processes, and technology.
• Analytical and problem‑solving mindset; ability to research issues through resolution, identify trends, root causes, and process‑improvement opportunities.
• Experience partnering with or supporting Payroll, including benefits deductions and reconciliation.
• Experience with Workday, particularly benefits‑related functionality.
• Experience supporting benefits within a large, multi‑location organization.
• Experience developing procedures, workflows, process documentation, or job aids.
• Intermediate Microsoft Excel skills.