Sr. Benefits Partner

About the role

Meriton is a national team of experts driving HVAC innovation through a network of high‑performing companies. The Senior Benefits Partner is a key member of the Total Rewards Center of Excellence (COE), responsible for providing Tier 2 operational and technical support for health, retirement, and leave of absence programs across a rapidly growing, multi‑unit organization. This role ensures consistent and compliant administration of benefits by serving as the escalation point for complex issues, supporting program execution, and enabling standardized processes across operating companies.

Responsibilities

• Monitor daily benefits operations and serve as escalation point for complex benefits issues unresolved by Tier 1 HR Operations; investigate and resolve eligibility, enrollment, claims, and vendor‑related issues.
• Provide technical guidance to regional HR and Shared Services teams; partner with Payroll to resolve deduction, taxation, and reconciliation discrepancies.
• Support day‑to‑day administration of health, welfare, retirement, and leave programs, ensuring consistent eligibility application, accurate documentation, and dependable operational timelines.
• Deliver ongoing benefits training and guidance to regional HR teams across multiple operating companies.
• Provide escalation support for leave of absence programs (FMLA, ADA accommodations, state and local leave programs, short‑ and long‑term disability); partner with leave vendors to resolve complex or sensitive cases and monitor leave workflows for consistency.
• Coordinate and execute operational aspects of annual open enrollment, including system configuration, testing, enrollment monitoring, and issue resolution; partner with leadership, regional HR, Shared Services, and vendors.
• Support retirement plan administration (401(k) eligibility, contributions, corrections, loans, distributions); assist with compliance testing, audits, required notices, and reconcile contribution files with Payroll and recordkeepers.
• Partner with the M&A team to onboard acquired companies into existing benefits and retirement programs, supporting plan transitions and eligibility setup.
• Act as the Benefits COE liaison with carriers, brokers, and vendors; support file feeds, eligibility audits, billing accuracy, and invoice validation.
• Ensure compliance with ACA, COBRA, ERISA, Section 125, and leave regulations by maintaining audit‑ready documentation.
• Identify operational inefficiencies, recommend process improvements, perform data audits, and support benefits technology enhancements.

Key Competencies

• Strong subject‑matter expertise in benefits and retirement programs.
• Solid knowledge of leave administration, including statutory and company‑sponsored programs.
• Advanced problem‑solving skills; ability to manage escalated, complex benefits issues.
• Operational governance mindset to ensure consistency, control, and compliance.
• In‑depth knowledge of health and welfare benefits, retirement plan administration, and ERISA/regulatory compliance.
• Customer‑focused approach with ability to translate complex benefits concepts into clear guidance.
• Collaborative relationship‑building across HR, Finance, Payroll, Legal, and external vendors.
• Exceptional attention to detail, data integrity, confidentiality, and high‑quality service delivery.
• Effective time and priority management in fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environments.
• Clear written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Empathy, integrity, and professionalism when handling sensitive employee information.
• Adaptability to organizational change with flexibility, resilience, and commitment.
• Composure and sound judgment in high‑pressure situations.
• Proficiency with the full Microsoft Office Suite.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent professional experience).
• Minimum 6 + years of progressive benefits administration experience in a multi‑state, multi‑unit environment.
• Experience resolving complex benefits and retirement‑related issues.
• Certified Benefits Professional (CBP), Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), or similar designation preferred.
• Demonstrated experience supporting health & welfare benefits and retirement plans in a multi‑state, multi‑company organization.
• M&A benefits integration expertise preferred.
• Experience with major HCM/benefit administration platforms (e.g., Workday, ADP, UKG, Oracle, Dayforce, or similar).

Work Environment

The primary office is the Shared Services location in Irving, TX, with occasional telework, remote, or satellite work as needed. The environment is a corporate office with moderate noise and temperature levels. Reasonable accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities.

Physical Demands

Must be able to walk, bend, stand, and reach constantly during a workday. May be required to lift items such as document boxes up to 10–15 pounds. Reasonable accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities.

Salary Information

Salary ranges are dependent upon a candidate’s qualifications, experience, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the specific role and location.