Benefits Administrator job description

Job brief

We are seeking a detail-oriented Benefits Administrator to join our People Operations team and manage our comprehensive employee rewards strategy. In this role, you will be the primary point of contact for employees navigating their health and wellness benefits, while overseeing the integrity of our benefit plan data. You will play a vital role in executing our annual open enrollment process and ensuring that our compensation and benefits programs stay competitive and compliant. If you possess a sharp eye for administrative detail and a passion for employee support, we would love for you to join our team.

What is a Benefits Administrator?

A Benefits Administrator is a specialized HR professional responsible for the end-to-end management of employee total rewards programs, including health insurance, 401(k) retirement plans, and leaves of absence. Acting as the bridge between employees and insurance carriers, a Benefits Administrator ensures organizational compliance with ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, and ACA regulations. By leveraging advanced HRIS platforms and data analytics, they oversee plan enrollment, reconcile carrier invoices, and provide essential guidance to employees regarding their compensation packages.

What does a Benefits Administrator do?

A Benefits Administrator manages the daily operations of benefits programs, including processing life event changes, conducting open enrollment sessions, and troubleshooting payroll deduction discrepancies. They coordinate directly with insurance brokers and third-party administrators to resolve complex claims issues and ensure timely data transmission between the company payroll system and benefit providers. Furthermore, they perform periodic audits of employee data to maintain accuracy in records and ensure that the organization remains in full compliance with changing federal and state benefits legislation.

Key responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end administration of health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans through our HRIS and carrier portals.
• Execute the annual open enrollment process by preparing communication materials, hosting webinars, and verifying employee election data.
• Reconcile monthly carrier invoices against payroll records to ensure accurate premium payments and resolve any billing discrepancies.
• Serve as the primary liaison for employees regarding benefit inquiries, coverage disputes, and complex FMLA or disability leave requests.
• Maintain strict compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, and HIPAA regulations by conducting regular audits of benefit documentation and records.
• Collaborate with finance and payroll departments to ensure accurate deduction processing and system-wide alignment of benefit contributions.
• Monitor market trends and benchmark our total rewards packages against industry standards to ensure competitive offerings for talent retention.
• Update and maintain internal HR documentation and summary plan descriptions to reflect changes in benefit policy or legislative requirements.

Requirements and skills

• 3+ years of experience in benefits administration or a similar HR operations role with a focus on total rewards.
• Proven proficiency with major HRIS and Benefits Administration platforms such as Workday, ADP Workforce Now, or BambooHR.
• Deep working knowledge of federal and state labor laws, specifically ERISA, ACA, COBRA, and FMLA requirements.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, specifically using VLOOKUP, pivot tables, and conditional formatting for data reconciliation.
• Professional certification such as the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) or PHR/SHRM-CP is highly preferred.
• Ability to explain complex plan options and insurance terminology clearly to employees of all levels within the organization.
• Strong analytical mindset with a track record of identifying process inefficiencies and implementing automated solutions.
• Exceptional attention to detail when handling sensitive employee health data and private personal information.

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