Benefits Specialist

Description

This position administers the organization's comprehensive benefits programs, ensuring accurate eligibility, enrollments, billing, and compliance with applicable laws and plan rules. The role serves as a primary point of contact for employees, managers, and vendors, providing guidance on health & welfare plans, retirement plans, and assist with the coordination of leave of absence matters. This position collaborates closely with Payroll and HRIS to maintain data integrity across systems, support open enrollment and vendor interfaces, and drive process improvements through regular audits and reporting.

Here's what you can expect from the job and what you need to be successful:

What You'll Do :

Essential Functions:

• Administer day-to-day activities of health, dental, vision, HSA/FSA, life & disability, COBRA, workers' compensation, and other voluntary benefit plans.
• Serve as primary contact for employee benefit inquiries; research and resolve issues and liaise with carriers and TPAs to ensure timely resolution.
• In partnership with the leave of absence teams, Coordinate and administers benefit administration and deduction information; assists with educating employees/managers on rights and responsibilities and ensure appropriate documentation and tracking.
• Administer retirement plan processes (e.g., 401(k) enrollments, changes, loans, hardships, distributions, QDROs) and support compliance/nondiscrimination testing with plan providers.
• Process qualifying life events and lifecycle transactions; ensure accurate, timely updates to the Benefits Administration/HRIS system and carrier files.
• Maintain data integrity by auditing carrier feeds/EDI/APIs and weekly exception reports; research and correct enrollment/termination discrepancies.
• Audit monthly benefit invoices for accuracy, reconcile to HRIS/payroll records, coordinate timely payments, and perform quarterly deep dive billing audits.
• Plan and support annual Open Enrollment: update/test benefits configuration, prepare employee communications, and process enrollment changes.
• Partner with Payroll to ensure accurate benefit deductions, arrears processing, and retro adjustments; monitor deduction accuracy following life events and leaves.
• Maintain compliant records for ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA and other applicable regulations; support internal/external audits as needed.
• Develop and maintain benefits procedures and job aids; deliver new hire benefits orientation and ad hoc training for employees and managers.
• Track and report benefits and leave metrics; identify trends and recommend process improvements to enhance experience and control costs.

Typical Scope:

• Applies practical and theoretical knowledge of job area with a growing understanding of functional area and specialized discipline. Gains exposure to complex tasks.
• Accountable for assigned tasks and projects. Works independently and may lead small projects or influence decisions.
• Analyzes and works on moderately complex problems and tasks. Adapts procedures and recommends solutions, while exercising judgement.
• Works independently on most tasks, works in close partnership with benefits leadership team for additional tasks as appropriate. Demonstrates discretion in daily decision making.

Essential Skills:

Education & Experience:

• Required Education: Bachelor's degree in field relevant to role (or 4 additional years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree)
• Required Experience: 2 - 4 years of relevant experience

Qualifications & Skills:

• Working knowledge of ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA
• Proficiency with Benefits Administration/HRIS platforms (e.g., UKG/Ben Admin) and Microsoft Excel for audits/reconciliations.
• Strong analytical and problemsolving skills with high attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to explain complex benefit topics clearly and empathetically.

Location:

Marlboro, MA

Target Compensation:

$66,500 - $79,500 annually

Schedule:

Monday - Friday 8-5