Reporting to the Benefits Director, the Senior Benefits Specialist is responsible for the administration of the company's benefit programs and is actively involved in program development, implementation and continuous improvement efforts as well as various aspects of benefit plan strategy and design. This position serves as a day-to-day contact for third-party administrators and independently provides direction with respect to maintenance of records and administrative procedures. The Senior Benefits Specialist handles employee and retiree benefit issues escalated by our field HR partners to ensure quick, equitable and courteous resolution.
Responsibilities
Applies in-depth benefits knowledge to provide day-to-day administration of applicable benefit plans and programs; focus on both retirement and health and welfare benefits
Independently manages relationships with assigned vendors to ensure proper oversight is applied including compliance with contractual requirements and service level agreements
Provides effective customer service resulting in a positive experience; responds to benefit inquiries and resolves complex issues; escalates as appropriate
Builds and maintains strong relationships with plan providers; troubleshoots issues; ensures the successful transmission, receipt and loading of vendor interface files; conducts data validation and takes corrective action for records with errors
Collaborates with internal and external partners to create effective benefit plan communications and increase employee engagement
Serves as team lead for various change management initiatives and complex projects (e.g., new plan or vendor implementations, plan design and process changes, benefits integration resulting from M&A activity, etc.)
Proactively identifies opportunities to enhance benefit program value and improve efficiency of administrative processes; develops and executes strategies for continuous improvement
Designs and executes controls to ensure process oversight; processes corrections and other complex benefits related transactions
Prepares benefits presentations and presents at employee meetings. Develops and maintains communications in support of training, compliance and change management initiatives
Responsible for ensuring program compliance with all applicable laws and regulations (e.g., ACA, COBRA, ERISA, HIPAA, etc.); leads benefit plan regulatory compliance activities and internal/external audits.
Requirements
Based in Raleigh, NC corporate headquarters (4 days per week in office; one day remote)
Bachelor's Degree (Human Resources, Business or related field)
4 plus years benefits experience or 8 plus years Human Resource generalist experience
Workday experience preferred
Must be able to effectively interact with internal and external customers, vendors and consultants; ability to influence others
Possess superior analytical, organizational and problem-solving skills
Proactive, highly-driven and self-directed; capable of handling multiple tasks simultaneously while quickly adapting to changing priorities; able to self-manage work focus and time for optimum results
Ability to establish project plans and effectively manage internal resources and third parties/vendors
Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail
Strong proficiency with MS Office products; emphasis on advanced Excel skills
Strong commitment to professional development, to include pursuing professional designations (e.g., CEBS, SPHR, SHRM-SCP etc.)
