Benefits and Retirement Specialist

Florida Atlantic University • Boca Raton, FL

1d • $47,000 - $51,000

About The Position

Florida Atlantic University is seeking a Benefits and Retirement Specialist - Boca Raton, FL. The Benefits and Retirement Specialist serves as a key resource for employees and candidates by administering the university’s comprehensive benefits and retirement programs. This role manages daily operations in Workday, oversees benefit and retirement enrollments, and provides expert guidance to support employees throughout their employment lifecycle—from onboarding to retirement planning. The Specialist delivers clear, accessible education on benefit eligibility, plan options, premium details, and regulatory requirements, while ensuring timely processing, accurate documentation, and full compliance with federal, state, and university policies. Through proactive communication, collaborative problem-solving, and high‑touch customer service, the Benefits and Retirement Specialist enhances the employee experience and supports the university’s commitment to offering competitive and well‑managed benefit programs.

Requirements

• High school diploma and five years of appropriate experience required.
• Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.

Nice To Haves

• Associate's or bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of benefit plan design.
• Experience with Workday and People First.
• Professional certification in Human Resources Management (SHRM-CP, PHR).

Responsibilities

• Serve as the main point of contact for the university regarding benefit enrollments, and general inquiries.
• Assist with delivering benefit information through New Hire Orientation, open enrollment, and University communication to enhance the understanding of our benefits program.
• Provide benefit overviews for potential candidates during the recruitment process.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date employee benefit plan records in Workday.
• Process benefits enrollments, changes, and terminations accurately and timely.
• Assists with the annual Benefits Fair, creating and managing all documentation, resource packets, and presentations.
• Serves as the university's and People First liaison to proactively resolve employee benefits issues, including handling pertinent report requests made to, or received from, People First and Florida Department of Management Services.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date benefit plan information and documentation.
• Process retirement plan enrollments, changes, and distribution request.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date retirement plan records in Workday.
• Assist employees with retirement-related inquiries.
• Handle report requests related to retirement plans from internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide excellent customer service regarding benefit and retirement inquiries and issues.
• Educate employees on benefit eligibility and retirement plan options through individual consultations and group presentations.
• Communicate and provide premium estimates concerning benefit premium payments to employees going on or returning from a leave of absence.
• Provide personalized counseling to help employees make informed decisions about their benefits and retirement planning.
• Serve as a liaison between the university and People First to proactively resolve employee benefit issues.
• Coordinate open enrollment processes, including communication and eligibility verification.
• Develop materials and presentations to enhance employee understanding of benefits and retirement plans.
• Participate in new hire orientation to provide comprehensive benefits and retirement plan information.
• Complete daily/weekly Workday audits of all Benefit and Retirement processes.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local benefit and retirement regulations (e.g., ERISA).
• Stay informed of benefit- and retirement-related legislative changes and their impact on the university.
• Prepare and analyze benefit and retirement-related reports for management and regulatory purposes.
• Manage the retirement and benefits email inbox.
• Communicate with employees going on or returning from a leave of absence concerning benefit premium payments.
• Conduct informational sessions for Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) participants and pre-retiree to address questions and concerns about retirement benefits and options.
• Collaborate with Payroll and Florida Department of Management Services to investigate and rectify payroll discrepancies utilizing Enterprise Interface Builder (EIB).
• Review and update the Benefits & Retirement website.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Excellent benefit packages including Medical (PPO/HMO $50 per month single & $180 per month family), Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending plans, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and much more.
• State retirement options including tax-deferred annuities and Roth 403(b) plans.
• State employees Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
• Sick Leave Pool Program.
• Paid time off (eligible employees) including vacation and sick leave, 1 personal day, 9 paid holidays, and paid winter break (at President’s discretion).
• Paid Community Engagement Volunteer Service Day
• Employee Educational Scholarship Program (EESP) for eligible Staff/Faculty - Tuition assistance after 6 months of full-time employment.
• For in-unit faculty, the EESP program may be extended to spouses and dependent children (eligibility rules apply).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees