What are the responsibilities and job description for the Total Rewards Specialist position at Stellar Senior Living?
We are looking to fill the position of a Total Rewards Specialist. This role supports the administration, coordination, and day-to-day execution of the organization’s compensation, benefits, and leave programs. This role ensures accurate processing, compliance with established policies, and a positive employee experience by serving as a key operational resource for total rewards programs across a multi-state workforce.
This position works closely with internal stakeholders, vendors, and employees to maintain efficient and compliant benefits and compensation processes while supporting ongoing program administration and communication.
Essential Functions:
Benefits Administration (50%):
You'll have the autonomy to build real systems — not inherit someone else's patchwork — in a high-trust culture where operational excellence directly improves residents' lives.
"Our supreme goal is to do and be the best in all we undertake, and to provide a Stellar life for our residents, their families, and our employees." — Evrett Benton, CEO
Founded in 2012, Stellar Senior Living is the premier senior living provider in the Western United States. We currently serve 44 communities and are on a mission to improve the lives of 20,000 residents by 2035. We believe great communities are built on safe, well-run, and thoughtfully maintained environments — and we're building the leadership team to make that happen.
Apply now and help us build something extraordinary.
Stellar Senior Living is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetics, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
This position works closely with internal stakeholders, vendors, and employees to maintain efficient and compliant benefits and compensation processes while supporting ongoing program administration and communication.
Essential Functions:
Benefits Administration (50%):
- Administer day-to-day benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability, retirement plans, HSA programs, and wellness initiatives.
- Process and review employee benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, and status changes.
- Maintain accurate eligibility files and troubleshoot discrepancies.
- Coordinate and support open enrollment logistics, including system setup, employee communications, and reconciliation.
- Assist with vendor coordination by resolving service issues, escalating concerns, and tracking follow-ups.
- Support benefits administration for new acquisitions, including employee setup and eligibility coordination.
- Perform ongoing administrative tasks such as:
- Reviewing and approving benefit enrollments and changes
- Managing eligibility file feeds
- Reconciling 401(k) and HSA contributions
- Assisting with distributions, rollovers, and plan transactions
- Resolving billing discrepancies and claims issues
- Coordinating evidence of insurability (EOI) processing
- Distribute required employee notices and support compliance-related communications.
- Administer leave of absence programs, including:
- FMLA tracking and documentation
- State leave programs
- Return-to-work coordination
- Benefits continuation during leave
- Maintain accurate leave records and ensure timely employee communication.
- Partner with the HR Operations team to ensure accurate employee status updates and benefit deductions.
- Support documentation tracking related to ADA accommodations and interactive process coordination.
- Assist with market data collection and reporting as needed.
- Support annual merit increase processes, including data preparation, communication, and tracking.
- Ensure compensation data is accurately maintained and aligned with established guidelines.
- Under supervision, maintain and distribute pay schedules for each metro area.
- Support compliance with federal and state regulations (e.g., ACA, ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA) by:
- Preparing documentation
- Assisting with audits
- Maintaining accurate records
- Generate reports related to benefits, leave, and compensation data.
- Ensure documentation is organized and audit-ready.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for employees’ questions related to benefits, leave, and compensation.
- Provide clear and timely communication regarding programs, processes, and updates.
- Support the distribution of total rewards communications and materials.
- Administer the Paylocity Rewards module and related recognition initiatives.
- Communicate program goals, success stories, and recognition outcomes across the organization.
- Partner with HR Business Partners to ensure recognition is consistent, meaningful, and aligned with company values.
- Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
- 3-6 years of progressive HR experience, with at least 2 years related to some element of total rewards (e.g., benefits, leave management, etc.)
- Experience working with HRIS/payroll systems (preferably Paylocity)
- Familiarity with open enrollment processes and leave coordination
- Strong Excel skills
- Comfortable working with AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude Cowork, etc.)
- Preference will be given to candidates who either possess or are actively working toward the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) credential
- Base Salary: $60,000 - $80,000 (commensurate with experience)
- Quarterly profit share
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Unlimited PTO
You'll have the autonomy to build real systems — not inherit someone else's patchwork — in a high-trust culture where operational excellence directly improves residents' lives.
"Our supreme goal is to do and be the best in all we undertake, and to provide a Stellar life for our residents, their families, and our employees." — Evrett Benton, CEO
Founded in 2012, Stellar Senior Living is the premier senior living provider in the Western United States. We currently serve 44 communities and are on a mission to improve the lives of 20,000 residents by 2035. We believe great communities are built on safe, well-run, and thoughtfully maintained environments — and we're building the leadership team to make that happen.
Apply now and help us build something extraordinary.
Stellar Senior Living is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetics, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Salary : $60,000 - $80,000