Senior Benefits Specialist

The Benefits Lead and Design Strategist is a dual-function role responsible for designing and administering a comprehensive benefits package for employees. The successful candidate will use data and market intelligence to craft a competitive and attractive benefits package, while also managing the administration of various employee benefit programs throughout the year.

Essential Functions:

• The essential functions listed represent the major duties of this role, additional duties may be assigned.
• Benefit Design
• Analyze market data, benchmarking reports, and internal metrics to inform benefits design decisions.
• Develop and maintain a deep understanding of workforce demographics, needs, and preferences to craft tailored benefits solutions.
• Design and implement compliant, competitive and cost-effective benefits packages, including medical, dental, vision, and voluntary benefits.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and other stakeholders to ensure benefits programs align with business objectives and employee needs.
• Evaluate and recommend changes to benefits programs based on data analysis, market trends, and legislative updates.

Benefit Administration:

• Administer all employee benefit programs according to plan documents, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, pension, 401(k), FSA, HRA, COBRA, FMLA, adoption reimbursement.
• Serve as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the rules and regulations for all employee benefit programs and policies, ensuring compliance with federal and state laws.
• Manage various projects designed to increase efficiency, optimize solutions, and promote customer satisfaction including annual open enrollment, RFP processes and program changes, and software upgrades and rollouts.
• Accountable for the reconciliation process of all benefit plan billings to ensure timely and accurate payment to vendors.
• Maintain eligibility data feeds for plan vendors and resolve issues with plan representatives as needed.
• Collaborate with vendors to ensure delivery of timely, targeted, cost-efficient, and accurate benefit programs.
• Educate employees on all aspects of employee benefit programs by communicating benefit programs clearly and concisely, translating complex data and/or benefits information into easily understood terms.

Required Work Experience:

• Years of Experience Experience Details
• 5 years related work experience Benefits design and administration

Required Education:

• Education Level Education Details
• Related Bachelor’s degree or additional related equivalent work experience Human Resources, Business or related field

Additional Required Qualifications:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to interpret data to inform design decisions
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong knowledge of benefits-related laws and regulations (e.g., ACA, ERISA).
• Advanced skill level with Microsoft Office products and collaboration tools.
• Ability to respond promptly to complex inquiries and conduct comprehensive research as needed.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain a high degree of confidentiality when working with sensitive information.

Additional Preferred Qualifications:

• CBP, PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP certification
• Prior human resource and/or employee benefits experience
• Prior experience with Oracle HRIS and SharePoint helpful