Sr Benefits Specialist

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate the effectiveness of health, welfare, retirement, and well-being programs using colleague feedback, participation trends, and program performance metrics, and recommend enhancements that improve the employee experience and support organizational objectives.
• Analyze complex benefits issues and determine appropriate resolutions through interpretation of plan provisions, policies, regulatory requirements, and operational considerations.
• Partner with stakeholders across Human Resources, Payroll, Finance, Legal, and external vendors to assess impacts of program changes and support implementation strategies.
• Lead initiatives and projects that improve benefits operations, governance, service delivery, operational effectiveness and program performance through process optimization, enhanced controls, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Interpret and apply federal and state benefits regulations, including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, IRS, DOL, and related requirements to ensure ongoing program compliance.
• Evaluate compliance risks and recommend actions, controls, and process enhancements to mitigate regulatory and operational exposure.
• Evaluate vendor performance, service quality, operational results, and participant experience, and recommend opportunities for improvement.
• Participate in vendor governance activities, implementation initiatives, and strategic reviews to support effective program delivery.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with business partners and vendors to address emerging needs, resolve complex issues, and support organizational priorities.
• Analyze benefits utilization, financial performance, colleague feedback, and industry benchmarks to identify risks, trends, and opportunities.
• Lead or contribute to projects that improve benefits operations, governance, and program performance.
• Provide guidance and consultation on complex benefits matters, helping stakeholders understand program provisions, requirements, and available options.
• Develop and review educational materials, communications, and engagement strategies that improve colleague understanding and utilization of benefits programs.
• Assess colleague feedback and participation trends to recommend enhancements that improve the overall employee experience.
• Partner with HR Communications, Shared Services, and program stakeholders to support effective benefits education and engagement strategies.
• Support initiatives that promote the physical, emotional, and financial well-being of colleagues.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Deep passion for colleague health and well-being with a strong understanding of how benefits support holistic outcomes.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated experience leveraging AI tools and intelligent platforms to improve efficiency and employee experience.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret complex benefits and wellness data.
• Proven experience in health and welfare benefits administration.
• Experience working with outsourced benefits vendors and HRIS platforms such as Oracle and UKG.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong technical knowledge of COBRA, ERISA, HIPAA, and ACA regulations.
• Excellent problem solving, organizational, and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field required.
• Proven experience in health and welfare benefits administration.
• Experience working with outsourced benefits vendors and HRIS platforms such as Oracle and UKG.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong technical knowledge of COBRA, ERISA, HIPAA, and ACA regulations.
• Excellent problem solving, organizational, and communication skills.

Hours And Schedule

40+ hours
4 days a week in office, 1 day remote