Benefits Specialist

HR Works is pleased to assist our client, a well-established and growing organization, is seeking an experienced Benefits Specialist to manage and support a comprehensive portfolio of employee benefit programs. This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on professional who can quickly step in, take ownership, and drive accuracy, compliance, and a high-quality employee experience in a fast-paced environment.

The ideal candidate brings well-rounded benefits expertise, strong technical proficiency, and the ability to communicate effectively with employees and leadership at all levels.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer the full lifecycle of employee benefit programs, including health, welfare, and voluntary offerings.
• Manage and coordinate leave of absence programs, including federal and state leaves, within a high-volume environment.
• Support administration of retirement plans, including defined contribution, pension, and deferred compensation programs.
• Maintain and optimize HRIS functionality, including benefits configuration, data integrity, and reporting.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations related to benefits and leave administration.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external vendors to deliver a seamless and efficient employee experience.
• Provide clear, responsive communication and education to employees regarding benefits offerings and processes.
• Develop and maintain process documentation to support consistency, compliance, and operational efficiency.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of progressive benefits administration experience, preferably in a high-volume or complex environment.
• Broad, hands-on experience across benefits, leave administration, retirement plans, and onboarding/orientation support.
• Working knowledge of retirement programs, including pension and deferred compensation plans.
• Demonstrated experience managing high-volume leave programs (e.g., FMLA, state leaves).
• Strong HRIS expertise; experience configuring or implementing benefit plans within a system is highly desirable.
• Proven ability to quickly learn processes, document workflows, and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively engage with senior leadership and executive stakeholders.
• Solid understanding of benefits-related regulations, including FMLA, ERISA, ACA, COBRA, and HIPAA.
• Exceptional attention to detail, organization, and problem-solving skills.