Benefits Specialist- Human Resources

This is not a Remote position. This position is based at our Virginia Beach, VA location.

Transform your Career at ECPI University

Since 1966, the dedicated employees at ECPI University have helped students achieve their goals via practical training and career-focused education with over 50 Associates, Bachelor's and Master's Programs. Our culture is to prioritize our students' success through the support of our dynamic team and industry focused curriculum.

Position Summary

The Benefits Specialist is responsible for the administration, configuration, compliance oversight, and continuous improvement of the organization's employee benefits programs. This role ensures accurate enrollment processing, system configuration integrity, regulatory compliance, and delivery of high-quality service to employees. The Benefits Specialist serves as a subject matter expert in both benefits operations and HRIS benefits configuration, supporting employees and leadership throughout the entire employment lifecycle. Strong knowledge of self-insured benefit plans is highly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

Benefits Administration

• Administer and maintain employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, FSA/HSA, 401(k)/retirement plans, voluntary benefits, and wellness programs.
• Manage both fully insured and self-insured benefit plans, ensuring proper coordination with third-party administrators (TPAs), stop-loss carriers, and internal finance teams.
• Process and audit new hire enrollments, qualifying life events, status changes, and terminations.
• Lead and support annual open enrollment activities, including system configuration, testing, and employee communications.
• Ensure accurate benefit deductions and payroll integration in partnership with Payroll.
• Reconcile monthly carrier and TPA invoices; resolve eligibility, billing, and funding discrepancies.
• Oversee COBRA administration and ensure timely notices and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor eligibility rules and ensure proper application of plan provisions.

HRIS & Benefits System Configuration (UKG Pro and/or Workday)

• Configure and maintain benefit plans within UKG Pro and/or Workday, including eligibility rules, benefit classes, coverage tiers, rate structures, evidence of insurability workflows, and event rules.
• Configure and test open enrollment events, life event rules, plan mappings, deduction codes, and payroll integrations.
• Ensure accurate system setup for self-insured plan structures, including funding arrangements and reporting fields.
• Perform system testing for new plan implementations, renewals, and vendor changes.
• Troubleshoot enrollment, deduction, and integration issues and coordinate resolution with HRIS, Payroll, and vendors.
• Maintain detailed documentation of configuration settings, procedures, and internal controls.

Self-Insured Plan Management (Strongly Preferred)

• Support administration of self-funded medical and/or dental plans in coordination with TPAs.
• Assist with claims reporting analysis and funding reconciliation.
• Partner with Finance on monthly claims funding, reserve analysis, and stop-loss coordination.
• Review claims experience data to identify trends and cost drivers.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA and applicable reporting requirements for self-insured plans (e.g., Form 5500 support).

Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations including ACA, ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, and Section 125 requirements.
• Assist in preparation and distribution of required notices (SPD, SBC, 1095-C, etc.).
• Support internal and external audits by maintaining accurate documentation and reporting.
• Monitor regulatory changes and recommend updates to plan design or processes.

Vendor & Broker Coordination

• Serve as liaison with brokers, carriers, TPAs, stop-loss providers, and other benefits vendors.
• Support annual renewals, rate updates, and plan design changes within the HRIS system.
• Monitor vendor performance and recommend improvements to service delivery and cost efficiency.

Reporting & Data Analysis

• Generate enrollment, utilization, and cost reports for leadership review.
• Analyze benefit trends, claims data, and participation metrics to support strategic planning.
• Provide data to support budgeting, forecasting, and renewal negotiations.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related field preferred.
• 3-5+ years of progressive experience in benefits administration.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience configuring benefit plans in UKG Pro and/or Workday.
• Experience supporting open enrollment configuration and system testing.
• Strong knowledge of self-insured (self-funded) benefit plan administration strongly preferred.

Knowledge & Skills

• In-depth understanding of employee benefits regulations and compliance requirements.
• Advanced knowledge of HRIS benefits configuration, eligibility logic, and payroll integration.
• Solid understanding of self-funded plan funding mechanisms, claims analysis, and stop-loss arrangements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and reporting tools.

Preferred Certifications

• CEBS (Certified Employee Benefit Specialist)
• PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP
• UKG Pro or Workday system training/certification

Core Competencies

• Benefits System Configuration Expertise
• Self-Insured Plan Knowledge
• Regulatory & Compliance Awareness
• Analytical Thinking
• Customer Service Orientation
• Process Improvement

Work Environment

• Office or hybrid environment.
• Extended hours during open enrollment and renewal cycles.
• Collaborative work with HR, Payroll, Finance, brokers, TPAs, and external vendors.

This role is critical in ensuring that benefits programs-particularly self-insured plans-are accurately configured, compliant, financially monitored, and aligned with organizational goals while delivering a seamless and supportive employee experience.

Benefits of Employment

ECPI University provides a comprehensive benefits program designed to help our faculty and staff stay healthy, feel supported, and maintain a work/life balance. To learn more about benefits at ECPI University, click HERE.

Committed to excellence and innovation, ECPI University is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.