Benefits Administrator

The Benefits Administrator is responsible for the hands-on administration, compliance, and financial oversight of the organization’s employee benefits and leave programs. This role manages self-funded medical and dental plans, ensures regulatory compliance, and mitigates organizational risk related to employee benefits and leave administration. The Benefits Administrator also administers the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and other leaves of absence (LOA), serving as subject-matter-expert for benefits and leave-related matters while maintaining strict confidentiality in a highly regulated financial institution environment.

Principal Duties And Responsibilities

• Administers and oversees self-funded medical and dental plans, including eligibility, plan provisions, and coordination with third-party administrators.
• Partners with brokers and vendors to manage plan operations, claims reporting, and renewals.
• Supports annual open enrollment activities, including system configuration, employee communications, and enrollment reconciliation.
• Oversees ancillary benefit programs, including vision, life, disability, and retirement plans.
• Monitors benefits-related expenditures, claims funding, and vendor invoicing.
• Performs monthly reconciliation of claims and payroll deductions for self-funded plans.
• Maintains documentation and internal controls necessary to support audits and regulatory examinations.
• Ensures compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, and applicable state leave laws.
• Prepares and distributes required benefits and leave notices.
• Maintains current plan documents, summary plan descriptions, and internal procedures.
• Administers FMLA and other leaves of absence, including medical, personal, military, parental, and state-mandated leaves.
• Reviews medical certifications and documentation to determine eligibility and leave designation.
• Tracks leave usage and coordinates benefit continuation and return-to-work processes.
• Provides guidance to managers and employees regarding leave policies, procedures, and compliance obligations.
• Ensures alignment with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) interactive process requirements where leave or accommodations are involved.
• Serves as the primary operational contact for benefits and leave vendors.
• Resolves escalated employee issues related to benefits coverage, claims, and leave administration.
• Supports Human Resources leadership with benefits-related reporting, analysis, and recommendations.
• Maintains confidentiality of employee medical and personal information.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

Education And/Or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, required.
• 5–10 years’ experience in benefits administration, required.
• Experience managing self-funded medical and dental plans required.
• Hands-on experience administering FMLA and leaves of absence, required.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Strong working knowledge of benefits and leave-related laws and regulations.
• High level of attention to detail and risk awareness.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion.
• Proficiency in HRIS, benefits platforms, and Microsoft Excel.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.