Benefits Consultant

RCR Consulting•Herndon, VA

3d•Remote

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced Benefits Consultant to join our fully remote team. The Benefits Consultant owns the full lifecycle of benefits and 401(k) administration across a portfolio of small and mid-sized employers. This role blends hands-on plan administration with consultative guidance — helping clients design, implement, and run benefits programs that fit their workforce, budget, and compliance obligations. The ideal candidate comes from a brokerage or benefits consulting background and is comfortable shifting between strategic plan design conversations and the operational details of enrollment, billing, and carrier coordination.

Requirements

5+ years of progressive benefits administration experience, with at least 2 years in a brokerage, benefits consulting firm, or PEO/HR outsourcing environment
Hands-on experience administering both health & welfare and 401(k) plans for small and mid-sized employers
Demonstrated success in a client-facing, consulting, or multi-client HR support environment
Working knowledge of major HRIS and payroll platforms (Paycom, Gusto, Paylocity, BambooHR, or similar)
Familiarity with 401(k) recordkeeping platforms (Guideline, Vestwell, Empower, Fidelity, or similar)
Strong understanding of federal and multi-state benefits compliance
Excellent written and verbal communication, with comfort presenting to both employees and leadership
Prior experience working in a fully remote role

Nice To Haves

CEBS, GBA, RPA, PHR/SPHR, or SHRM-CP/SCP certification
Experience supporting multiple client accounts simultaneously

Responsibilities

Manage day-to-day administration of medical, dental, vision, life, disability, voluntary, FSA/HSA, and COBRA programs across multiple client groups
Lead annual open enrollment from start to finish — strategy, communications, system build, employee education sessions, and post-enrollment audits
Process new hire enrollments, qualifying life events, and terminations; coordinate with carriers, payroll, and HRIS platforms
Reconcile carrier invoices and resolve eligibility, billing, and claims escalations
Maintain plan documents, SPDs, SBCs, and required compliance notices
Administer 401(k) plans including enrollments, contribution changes, loans, distributions, and rollovers
Coordinate payroll-to-recordkeeper data flows; reconcile contributions and resolve discrepancies across platforms like Guideline, Paycom, Gusto, and Paylocity
Support plan audits, year-end compliance testing, Form 5500 filings, and required participant disclosures
Partner with plan advisors and recordkeepers on plan design changes, fund reviews, and fiduciary best practices
Maintain working knowledge of ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, IRS Section 125, and state-specific benefits requirements
Manage required reporting and notices including 1094/1095, Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage, and Summary Annual Reports
Identify compliance risks and partner with internal SMEs and external counsel as needed
Serve as the primary day-to-day benefits contact for assigned client accounts
Manage relationships with carriers, brokers, TPAs, and recordkeepers
Support renewals and RFPs in partnership with broker partners; analyze plan utilization, costs, and benchmarking data to inform recommendations
Build and deliver benefits communications, enrollment guides, and education sessions tailored to each client's culture and audience
Respond to employee questions with clarity and empathy, translating plan language into plain English